Disruptors
Gef’s 30 Under 30 Winners: Q&A with Drew Fleming
Ten categories. Thirty young visionaries making their mark on the Isle of Man. Introducing the all-new #Gef30Under30 winners: the next generation of our island’s leaders.
Meet the Capital International Group Disruptors: why play by the rules when you can create your own? Whether it’s breaking social taboos, seeing through your craziest ideas, or shaking up a sector for social good, these young stars are just getting started.
What is your name and age?
Drew Fleming, age 22.
Job title or role in the community?
I’m a Director at Extra Fancy Limited.
How did you start your career or role in the community?
My journey in hospitality really began when I was 17. I started working at Peggy’s during its first outing as a pop-up nightclub in the Christmas of 2018. From my first shift I was hooked. The atmosphere, the energy and the amazing team I was working with – from then on I became obsessed with a potential long-term career in night-time hospitality. I honed my skills as a bartender first and foremost, but I also wanted to acquire the necessary skills to aid in running a business.
After completing my studies, I was finally able to throw everything into my career and I haven’t looked back. When I reflect on the last few years, they have been immense and I wouldn’t change a thing!
Have you experienced any hurdles in your career or community efforts and if so, how did you overcome them?
On an island with a modest population, the demand for niche bars year round isn’t always high. It can be very weekend-focused which makes it difficult to balance staying true to your integrity/mission with the need to make money to pay the bills…It’s easy to sell out on your original goal in an effort to increase revenue. But we’ve learnt that if you stick to your guns, communicate your story effectively and offer people something unique – you can make it work!
Tell us about why you think you won in the Disruptor category?
I think this aligns with what I’ve achieved (alongside the whole Extra Fancy team) in the last few years. We recognise it’s easy for things to get stagnant or mundane within hospitality on the island, so we’ve tried to combat this with a string of pop-ups focused on targeting different demographics within our island. We’re also laser focused on not just comparing ourselves with the outlets on our shores, but competing with the best internationally. Last year, I was the grateful inaugural recipient of The World’s 50 Best Bars ‘The Blend’ Scholarship, a competition run by one of the biggest publishers in the industry. Traditionally a lot of the focus from these institutions has been on cosmopolitan cocktail cities like London and New York. So I’d like to think being able to win, despite being from such a small island (not famed for its bars) is a sign of big things happening here!
Who are your role models, either on-island or off, in your sector or outside of it?
Jamie Lewis, my mentor and now business partner, has been a massive influence on my career. He showed me both my potential and the potential of a life within this sector. He’s an open book, forthcoming with feedback and never closed off to learning himself – everything you need when trying to learn and perfect your own skills. Without his mentorship, I certainly wouldn’t be in the position I find myself in today!
What, for you, are the benefits of staying on or moving back to the island for young people under 30?
I chose the path less travelled when it came to university. Electing to stay on-island, I pursued an undergraduate degree in Event Management and Marketing at UCM. This option paid dividends as it allowed me to work on my career whilst simultaneously feeling supported in my studies. The smaller class sizes also afforded me greater face-time with lecturers, which was really beneficial. The Isle of Man is a great place to grow and to try new ideas. The community is tight-knit and most people are open to letting you learn from them, their mistakes and their successes. This helps incubate an environment of great collaboration; it’s super unique in that regard!
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