If you’ve ever been to a top Miami club, then you probably know the name Roman Jones and the success of his businesses prove why. Miami has become known for a hospitality scene which stands apart from the rest, and a large part of that is to do with the relentlessness of Roman Jones, a mogul among nightclub operators, previously hailed the “King of Nightlife”.
Jones is born from rock and roll, son to Foreigners legend Mick Jones, and an entrepreneur in his own right. He’s gained recognition for putting Miami’s now-iconic hospitality scene on the map, and is one of the country’s most successful hospitality operators. The list of businesses he oversees is an impressive repertoire of some of Miami’s hottest dining and nightlife destinations; Mokai nightclub in Miami Beach, FL, Brickell’s Baby Jane Cocktail and Ramen Bar, celeb hotspot Kiki on The River, Mandrake in Miami Beach, El Santo and Don Diablo Speakeasy, the list goes on!
Where Did It All Begin?
Jones gained experience working with huge brands from a young age. He began building his career in hospitality overseeing the expansion of Taco Bell, Burger King and Domino’s Pizza in third-world markets.
After moving to South Beach, Miami in the 1990s, Jones was drawn to a career in the entertainment of his own and began helping to operate The Living Room on Washington Avenue, a venue whose vibe acted as a catalyst for countless successful bars and nightclubs that now line this popular street. Jones soaked up all the information he could about running a hospitality business and used this invaluable experience and business acumen to leverage a career as one of the leading nightclub operators in the country.
All The Way To The Top
Jones has had a part to play in iconic venues such as Opium Garden, a 30,000 sq foot space in South Beach’s “South of Fifth” neighborhood, promptly followed by Privé, a chic ϋber-lounge within Opium Garden, specifically designed with A-list guests and Hollywood’s elite in mind. In 2004, Jones opened legendary hotspot Mansion, located on Washington Avenue where his ventures began almost a decade ago. Mansion has bought world-class glamour back to the iconic street, bringing Jones full circle in his career… but he didn’t stop here.
2007 brought the opening of SET, Miami’s chicest venue yet, with a devoted celebrity following including Britney Spears, Rihanna, Gisele Bundchen, Justin Timberlake, and many more. Since then, Jones has expanded his interests into the culinary realm. He conceptualized South Beach hotspot Bodega Taqueria and Tequila which kicked off the taco and tequila trend in the area, along with many more venues since.
Where Will He Go From Here?
As for lessons learned, Jones preaches to never take success for granted, and to constantly work hard on your ventures until you see the results you desire. Despite his prominent success in the hospitality industry, he has huge plans for the future, including the continued expansion of his successful existing brands in the Miami market and beyond, as well as the development of other strategic hospitality partnerships in all areas of the food and beverage industry.
It’s clear that there’s no stopping Roman Jones, and his attitudes towards his success make it clear that he’s a force to be reckoned with since developing world-class knowledge in the hospitality and nightlife industry. If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from studying his success, it’s that you should never get complacent and always keep grinding, no matter what you accomplish.
What to take from Roman’s experience in such a brutal industry?
There is no doubt that the nightlife and hospitality industries are some of the most competitive, brutal and fierce in the business. You have to compete with numerous entrepreneurs who have no qualms. There are so many interests and money at stake that ethic is often put aside. So, how to survive in this “jungle” ? Roman Jones, despite his eccentric look, has shown that professionalism, maniacal attention to detail and to customer satisfaction are, even in hospitality, the keys to success.
Final advice
You can have fun, take breaks and enjoy your life but then when it comes to doing business, professionalism must be maximum. Another piece of advice that transpires from the character is that what your opponents and competitors say and do shouldn’t interest you, at all. The focus must be on your own’s path and business.
