Founders:
Robert Ian Bonnick (RiB) and Marina Agustina
Social-Laneway Pty Ltd (Social-Laneway Espresso).
Click on "Social-Laneway Espresso" Facebook page for more details:
Robert Ian Bonnick (AKA: RiB)
I was brought up in two orphanages in London between the ages of 6 months old to eighteen years of age. During that time, whilst acquiring a deep insight into human behavior/conditioning, I also learnt the value of community and why it's so important to find ways to bring us together as opposed to breaking us apart – which was to become my ‘mission.’
I excelled at ball sports (I represented the England U-15 Basketball Team) and became the captain for many teams at school which, little did I know, were honing my skills of leading by inspiring the players to come together and “play as one unit”. Living in the orphanage also taught me determination and work ethic (thanks Lillian). Even though I studied hard, I failed frequently at school (I wasn't the brightest Student!). Nonetheless I kept going and found my way to tertiary education which culminated in graduating from the first course of its kind, Leisure Studies (Waterbased) at Warsash Maritime Institute (near Southampton).
At the age of 20 I left the UK for an around the world “living by the seat of my pants” trip (thanks Nics) which changed my life entirely! In the next 20+ years I lived in Australia twice, became a model and dancer working extensively in London, Sydney and Milan for Riccardo Guy - one of Italy’s top Model Management teams (the highlights for me, a National Billboard Campaign and working with the Supermodels Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Eva Hertzigova), I also managed a hostel in Taupo (New Zealand) and a café in Sydney. This led me to discover I really enjoyed hospitality ie. connecting people from diverse backgrounds leaving them feeling inspired and re-energized at the same time. Therefore, when Antonio Zambarelli (The founder of HOME Sydney) invited me to team up with him in 1998 as a Special Event and ViP Manager of HOME Sydney. After some scheduling dilemmas… I jumped at the opportunity! We went on to deliver some of the most memorable clubbing experiences to Sydney on a weekly basis; HOME Sydney (1998-1999), House Solution Parties at Wharf 8 “The Warehouse Party for Grown ups” Jackie Dent-SMH (2000), TANK Nightclub (2001-5) voted 1 of the top 3 nightclubs in the world during our tenure and Hilton Sydney's ZETA Bar (2005-2012).
By 2013 I’d decided to take a break from clubs to find a different way to engage my mission and re-connect with my purpose and passion for uniting people. At this time, my partner Marina Agustina mentioned that she'd always wanted a Café of her own. We both noticed a ‘shift’ towards more intimate ways of connecting and after a short time...
I was brought up in two orphanages in London between the ages of 6 months old to eighteen years of age. During that time, whilst acquiring a deep insight into human behavior/conditioning, I also learnt the value of community and why it's so important to find ways to bring us together as opposed to breaking us apart – which was to become my ‘mission.’
I excelled at ball sports (I represented the England U-15 Basketball Team) and became the captain for many teams at school which, little did I know, were honing my skills of leading by inspiring the players to come together and “play as one unit”. Living in the orphanage also taught me determination and work ethic (thanks Lillian). Even though I studied hard, I failed frequently at school (I wasn't the brightest Student!). Nonetheless I kept going and found my way to tertiary education which culminated in graduating from the first course of its kind, Leisure Studies (Waterbased) at Warsash Maritime Institute (near Southampton).
At the age of 20 I left the UK for an around the world “living by the seat of my pants” trip (thanks Nics) which changed my life entirely! In the next 20+ years I lived in Australia twice, became a model and dancer working extensively in London, Sydney and Milan for Riccardo Guy - one of Italy’s top Model Management teams (the highlights for me, a National Billboard Campaign and working with the Supermodels Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Eva Hertzigova), I also managed a hostel in Taupo (New Zealand) and a café in Sydney. This led me to discover I really enjoyed hospitality ie. connecting people from diverse backgrounds leaving them feeling inspired and re-energized at the same time. Therefore, when Antonio Zambarelli (The founder of HOME Sydney) invited me to team up with him in 1998 as a Special Event and ViP Manager of HOME Sydney. After some scheduling dilemmas… I jumped at the opportunity! We went on to deliver some of the most memorable clubbing experiences to Sydney on a weekly basis; HOME Sydney (1998-1999), House Solution Parties at Wharf 8 “The Warehouse Party for Grown ups” Jackie Dent-SMH (2000), TANK Nightclub (2001-5) voted 1 of the top 3 nightclubs in the world during our tenure and Hilton Sydney's ZETA Bar (2005-2012).
By 2013 I’d decided to take a break from clubs to find a different way to engage my mission and re-connect with my purpose and passion for uniting people. At this time, my partner Marina Agustina mentioned that she'd always wanted a Café of her own. We both noticed a ‘shift’ towards more intimate ways of connecting and after a short time...
Social-Laneway Pty Ltd (Social-Laneway Espresso) was born...
Marina Agustina.
I grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia - I was the youngest out of two girls. I have always been the adventurous one (i.e. the rebel - you may say) and the one who my dad took to soccer games. Hence I enjoy car racing, watching sport, playing billiards (pool) as opposed to a stop to smell the roses type of person. I do find life is fascinating and certainly for us to LIVE every minute of it.....
Based on my nature to explore, in year 2000 I travelled across the ocean to live in Melbourne for couple of years. I loved Melbourne, but with my itchy feet - the journey continued and I decided to experience Brisbane instead. Here I landed my first job ever in Australia, as a sales assistant at designers boutique call "York Emporium". This was not to last. I’ve always enjoyed the café lifestyle so it didn’t come as a surprise when I moved into hospitality, a café called "Denim Co" which is owned by very good friend of mine; Fara Sutjipto - here I learnt a lot about running a café business, which happily I found challenging. Even more importantly it revealed my mission to me which was going to consume the rest of my life so far - to be an entrepreneur…
In order to achieve my dream, I needed to brush up on my business skills/experience and I adopted the strategy to work in a corporate world which would give me the opportunity to learn more (and get paid at the same time). After, sending hundreds of resumes and few interviews later - I was lucky enough to be given an opportunity to work as an Associate Buyer for one of Australia's larger discount Furniture and Bedroom retailer (Super Amart). My business knowledge was certainly developed there with plenty of training and coaching. By this time, I had spent 8 years in Brisbane - Time flies.... I made great friends (including my best-friend Catherine Hall), had great job, great memories but again it was time for me to move on...
In 2010, I decided to experience Sydney - my first job was with Oroton (as a Wholesale Manager) and then Gucci Group (Bottega Veneta Store's Operation Manager). As much as I do love and appreciate a great sense of fashion, my interest in Business Analytics was stronger and it brought me back to work in a buying role, at MACVAD Corporate. Again, I enjoyed the experience, the travel and the people I met there. Now I feel like I am ready to realise my dream as an entrepreneur...
And.... In the year 2013, Social-Laneway Pty Ltd was created with my partner Robert Ian Bonnick (RiB), we are planning to execute an espresso bar business which will be operated under Social-Laneway Espresso and hopefully followed by Social-Laneway Connector (PR Consultancy/Event type company with a difference) and then Social-Laneway Living which will be property related...
As C.S. Lewis said: "You are never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream..."
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