Established and founded by 3 very passionate young adults. Known as Nutz Cafe, its not your ordinary cafe where you only have your drinks and food. One of the first in Malaysia to inject wicked and unexpected concepts in a cafe, you will always find yourself giggle or just having a big laughter in there. Being true to yourself is what they always wanted they want their customer to be. We are to glad to have Mark and Roy to share their journey that we had always dreamt off on our first issue of VOICES.
3个充满活力的年轻人，携手一起共创”疯人馆”。”疯人馆”不是一般的餐厅，它是全马唯一一间咖啡厅融入全新的概念和难以想象创意。你能在那里高谈阔论，疯狂大笑，做回最真实的自己，也不用理会别人对你的看法。很荣幸的我们能请来了MARK和 ROY来成为第一期VOICES的嘉宾也和我们一起分享他们一路创业的旅程。
Written by : ManMeng/TuckLoong
Published : 14th February 2007
DE : Design Enterprise
M : Mark
R : Roy
DE : Care to give us a short introduction about yourself?
DE : 可以简单的介绍你们吗?
M : I’m Mark(27). Previously, I’ve work in a lot of different jobs previously before ventured into this business. I guess I’ve never enjoyed the life as a promoter and always stuck in between end of month stress when I’ve need to aim for sales target. I’ve even dreamt of pursuing my dream in drama, but eventually I’ve to choose in between “reality or dream” and I’ve chose reality because I always believe that there will be a chance in the future for me again to pursue my dream work.
M : 我是MARK，今年27岁，这里是由我和两个夥伴所成立的。自从我毕业过后，从事了很多行业，最辛苦的是当推销员，做SALES的那种，每次都要HIT TARGET，每当月尾的时候，晚上肯定睡不好，吃不安，因为怕HIT不到TARGET。其实我一向来都很想从事戏剧这一行的，残酷的是面包和梦想我只能选一样，那我只好选择了面包。但当我真正的接触到咖啡厅饮食业这行时，我才发觉我真的很喜欢看见顾客进来吃东西开心大笑，那种感觉很棒！
R : Hi, I’m Roy(20), also previously a graduate of Tsun Jin High School, and a member of the school’s drama club. It’s been really a long time we’ve not met after graduation from our high school and because I’ve also worked in various cafe related jobs before.
R : 20岁，是循人中学毕业的，我也做过咖啡厅的工作，但是我们三个中学搞戏剧的时候已经认识的了！
DE : Mind to share about your usual lifestyles?
DE : 可以让我们了解你们平时生活是怎样的吗?
M : I’m a movie lover myself, and always likes to travel around to inspire myself most of the time. Personally, I’d like to explore the mysterious and miraculous 7 Wonders of the world, and to uncover what’s so interesting and mysteries behind all of it. Somehow, I felt disappointed when I realized one of the wonder, Babylon destroyed before I’ve chance to pay a visit there. I guess from these exploration will spark me for more fresh ideas on my working life.
M : 看电影，旅行，比较娱乐的东西。我个人的个性及品味比较怪，喜欢看比较神奇的地方，我很想走完世界的七大奇迹，很可惜巴比伦的空中花园已经毁了，我真的很想看看它们到底有多神奇。
R : Being young and energetic, I’ve always thought to do a lot of different thing at one time, but most of the time I’ve to settle down in between reality and dream. I’m a travelholic person myself, but due to work, I would always choose to focus most of my time on my career before looking towards pleasure anytime soon.
R : 我改变了出国旅行的看法，现在我真的很想去玩，可是现在比较不稳定，因为很多东西都在忙，毕竟才开半年，等一切稳定了再谈吧！
DE : What do you work as previously before came as partners in “Nutz Cafe” today?
DE : 能不能告诉我们你们各自的背景，比如之前从事什么行业?
M : I work at different places previously, from promoter, salesman and even as a waiter at SEEDcafe, which the first place that got me into a cafe environment.
M : 我从循人中学毕业后，从事从事过推销员，酒楼推点心车的服务员，上门做调查的都有，当然也累积了不少在咖啡厅的工作经验。
R : After the graduation from high school. I’ve started to work from the day to night for the sake of building a better life. Even though with experience of working under people, it will be very hard for an individual to further improve and create a better future unless it’s an own business. I guess part of the reason would be when Mark came, I’ve thought, instead of venturing through the challenges on my own, why not to make it a reality even sooner, plus with partners to support me side by side.
R : 中学都读不好书，我能做什么?推销员是当时的第一份工，那时我打工只是一直为了赚钱希望日子以后的日子会好过点。之后也有做过不少咖啡厅的工作，很多时候一个人的力量很难完成自己伟大的梦想，自从遇见MARK过后，才真正踏出了第一步。
DE : Under what circumstances that made all of you came and work together towards “NUTZ Cafe”?
DE : 你们三个人是怎样酬在一起的?
M : It’s really a long story but one day I’ve met Roy and Chee Seng for a drink and we’ve talked about our life after graduation. Until both of them talked about their future, I was so touched by their burning passion on what they wanted to do. Reminded me back on how I used to be.
M : 很多时候东西会无缘无故的发生，可能是缘分吧！机缘巧合下我们出来喝茶，了解大家的状况, 另一个原因是被他们两个的冲劲给感动到。
R : I think it’s fate that we’ve met again. From there we decided to work together and that’s how all of us started Nutz since then.
R : 我们彼此能合作可能也是因为我们从同一个地方出身(戏剧)，加上我明白一个人很难会完成我个人的梦想，倒不如大家一起合作！
DE : As we are informed, all of you came from drama school background, what is the main reason that motivates all of you to start up this business?
DE : 据我们所知，你们都是戏剧出身的，是什么原因让你们从事饮食业呢?
M : Basically, I realized that there is a lot of way to earn money by doing business, but to have a job that you’ll really like and to be sure in life of what you want to do, it’s the most challenging question you will need to answer. I’ve once worked in SEED Café, which out of so many jobs that I hate, figured that I really enjoyed the moment when customer are happy, smiled and enjoyed the service I provide. Why? I guess it’s one of the work that I’ll be able to interact with my customer directly. I’ve always asked myself why do people want to hold themselves out in expressing themselves, even when they are suppose to enjoy themselves inside a café with friend. Seeing a lot of people trying to hold down their laughter and voices, why do they have to do that? To even bring their stress from work to a place they are suppose to enjoy and be themselves for a moment? Since then, I’ve determined to have a café that everyone is able to be themselves, and expressive enough to be happy and relax. Nutz café is place where everyone is allowed to do whatever they want, as long they doesn’t cause any disturbance to other customers.
M : 我发觉在生活中很多方法能赚钱，但是要做自己真正喜欢的东西谈何容易。我很喜欢大家一起聚会的感觉，尤其是年轻的时候，大家都很真，相聚的时候很开心的，以前戏剧都会留下这种感觉给我，但是随着年龄渐渐的成长，变成那种感觉就慢慢的失去，所以我现在只希望看见别人开心，自己也不知觉的开心起来。除了这点之外，我们都知道做什么工都会有压力，之前从事过推销员的我，一到月底压力真的很大，所以我想制造一个地方能让他们轻松下来。如我之前所说，看见顾客开心，我自己就会开心， 看见他们ENJOY，我就ENJOY了，所以我很想制造一个空间给我的顾客来松解压力和情绪。在我们构思这店时，我看见很多餐厅和咖啡厅的顾客在谈天时，突然呼呼大笑，一阵子过后就静下来了，我在想为什么要那么的压抑自己的情绪呢?为什么不能继续大大方方的笑下去，而感觉到尴尬就不笑了呢?
R : I guess it all started when I joined a gathering organized from a group of young people from www.sosot.net, I was so surprised and touched that members from Singapore even took bus down to the gathering venue just to meet up and have some fun. It’s not that only money that matters to me but I felt an urge to create a space for people to gather and have some fun together. It’s his dream, he said. During my younger age, I’ve always dreamt to have a place that I can do everything under one roof, but I’ve never realized that my dream could be realized so fast, although it’s just the beginning.
R : 有次SO-SOT.NET 有个网聚，那是有个网友真的特地从新加坡来参加这个聚会，这是感动我的其中一个原因，我希望能制造一个地方让所有的网友一起相聚。
DE : What helps you guys to be determined in your dream?
DE : 是什么原因让你们一直坚持着你们的梦想和信念?
M : Somehow I’d also have a plan to inject some drama influence into the café environment, where people can perform inside the café, of course, it will be a long term plan since the business has just started and hasn’t mature yet.
M : 钱，是最直接的啦，因为我选了面包！但是我没有放弃过梦想，我们当时创办疯人馆的时候，也是希望能把戏剧的文化融入这边，只是时间上的不允许罢了！慢慢来吧~
R : I had thought of going oversea to pursue my career and to earn even more money, but I’d realized that Malaysia still has a big potential for me to develop myself in. I’ve promised and told my parents not to worry, and if I’d ever fail in my career here, I’ll even only start to think about going oversea. Working is a routine, but it’s what you do that makes it even meaningful, and working in Nutz gives me surprises everyday, from customer’s feedback to laughter, but most importantly, I’m doing the thing I like best.
R : 朋友和家人的支持，还有自己的冲劲！家人每次都叫我出国发展，但是我还觉得这边还有机会发展，所以全投一注，创办疯人馆。其实打工天天都做同一样的东西，很纳闷，我能坚持的到今天的其中一点是看见顾客给我的惊喜，天天都会有不同的顾客要招待，感觉天天都很新鲜！
DE : What is the main theme that drives the restaurant?
DE : 能不能和我们分享你们店的主题?
M : The shop revolves around the idea of being ‘crazy’. It’s not your ordinary café that normally restricts to one style in one place. There is currently 3 sets of different setting on the ground floor where we will plan to release more as time permits. Take for an example, the place we are sitting now are known as The Jail. You can choose to experience the feeling of having your food inside a jail, with an exception of course, being comfortable with sofas and waiters serving you. Despite playing around with really crazy idea, we still reserve our second floor where you can sit on cushion, for those that prefer a more calm setting. It is still a very comfortable area where you can dine and play. But there are times that our creativity will hit the limit where we always welcome our customer to suggest really crazy themes and ideas.
M : 疯人馆的主题顾名思义就是要让人疯疯颠颠的，在我们没有理会他们的举止，大吵大闹都不是问题，越放越好。我们的室内主题会不断的更新，就好象我们现在坐着的这个地方叫做监牢区，你们看到墙壁上都画满了不同的图案，其实我想制造一个空间让他们发泄；还有那边是我们所制造的那些假墙随时会塌下来，所以被把那边命名为地震区，这边的东西都很疯狂，假如顾客接受不到的话，至少我们还有楼上，楼上是比较舒服的日式摆设。
DE : Is there any specific reason behind the name “Nutz Cafe?”
DE : 为什么是疯人馆?
M : Before we came out an idea for Nutz, I came across this very unique and interesting website known as www.sosot.net. I’ve found out that it’s really unusual to call themselves that despite it’s a discussion forum. Hence, we would want the idea of being free to be injected inside the café, and at first, would thought of calling it CrazyCafe, but crazy is a really common word that is being used daily. Why not Nuts? It has almost the similar meaning with crazy, hence the name Nutz is chosen.
M : 我在想疯人馆英文叫CRAZY的话就太普通，我希望特别点的名字，那就用NUTZ CAFE。讲起这个，其实它的构思来源是于SO-SO.NET论坛。
DE : How do you guys are inspired for “Nutz Cafe?”
DE : 疯人馆的灵感是从那里来的?
M : We had seen quite a lot of cafés around Taiwan and Japan that revolves around these kind of theme, and most of the time, are way more experimental and crazier than us. Imagine to eat on a bowl shaped like coffin. It’s a very tough decision to for us decide the theme for us to play with because we’re always trying to balance between the gray line of acceptance and craziness in our country. The culture in our country is different and we are still planning to move one step at a time.
One of the main inspiration are to create laughter for our customer. Through a in-depth discussion among us, we carefully select and craft a name for each of our drinks and food. You may always end up ordering more drinks instead of paying your bill. But to my surprise that most of our customer accepts our humorous approach.
M : 其实在台湾，日本已经有这样的餐厅了，他们的呈现方式比起我们更疯更夸张。比如吃棺材饭等，但是我们这边比较保守，很难接受那么新颖的想法，但是我们还是会一步一步的尝试着，其中我们最特出的地方就是我们的菜单，打个比方:当顾客要结帐的时候，他们会讲:”吾该”，那时候的我们就会多拿一杯饮料给他，因为 “吾该”是种饮料的名字，其实这一切都是在戏弄顾客，来个玩笑罢了!
DE : What is the duration does it take you guys to plan for the restaurant?
DE : 你们筹备了几久才开这间疯人馆呢?
M : It took us almost 1 year to prepare for the launch of the shop.
M : 从构思到开店都有一年多.
DE : Is there any difficulties or challenge faced during the growing phase of the project?
DE : 开这间店期间最困难的地方是那里?
M : The hardest part in the process are to start from nothing to something.
M : 从无到有是最困难的。
R : I guess it’s very hard to gather the fund for the initial startup of the café. But I’m really grateful to my parents for their continous support from the start.
R : 我想是资金的周转，突然间要拿出一大笔钱来谈何容易，感谢家人和朋友的支持！
DE : How do you guys position “Nutz Cafe” to be different from many of the lifestyles cafe out on the market?
DE : 相比市场上有那么多的餐厅，你们要怎样突出你们自己的店呢?
M : I’m confident to say that I’ve not yet seen any other café that uses this approach, at least in K.L. The location and age of the shop would also spot an unique selling point for us. It’s a 80 years old building which we wouldn’t want to renovate too much and destroy it’s original value. Unlike any ordinary café which usually uses one type of furniture and setting, we will try to introduce as much as 5 different themes in one shop and the furniture are carefully selected.
M : 我相信这边还没有看见像我们这样的主题，加上我们的店里有五大特区，每一面都不一样，家具的摆设配搭使得我们更特出，因为我们就是不要和其他餐馆那样，选一样的家具，一样的设计，这就是我们的特点。就如以上所说的疯狂的来我们当然有保守的一面，楼上还有比较舒服的一层。
DE : What type of cuisine do you serve?
DE : 你们的菜式风格是 ?
M : We serves variety of cuisine from eastern and western. Take for an example, there is one dish which is named “Rich Man’s Noodle” that symbolizes a person is rich if they are able to afford that dish (it’s expensive because of the ingredient used).
M :中西餐，甚至是大炒我们都有。最特别的是，我们有样面叫”有钱佬炒面”，为什么这样叫呢?因为这盘面是我们店最贵的，它用上了上等材料去炒，所以吃得起的人，我们都称他为”有钱佬”。
DE : How did your family members react toward your decision on this project? Did you face any objection?
DE : 家人有没有反对还是支持你们?
M : I’m glad that throughout the process that my parent and loved ones are being very supportive, though sometimes they might be doubting on the approach we took.
M : 开始的时候家人肯定反对，因为我们太疯了，从构思到开店，他们都很难接受我们的想法，也很难接受我们这样新颖的事物，到最后还是慢慢的接受了。
R : I couldn’t describe how touched I am towards the support I gained from my family members and friends. Even with sleepless nights, work, school and exams on the next day before the launch itself, most of the people I’ve known whole-heartedly help me through the process.
R : 他们的支持我真的感激不尽，家人为了筹一笔钱给我，竟然把房子押了给银行。最记得开店的前一晚，我们什么都还没有准备，我看见了明天要大考甚至是明天要上班的朋友前来帮忙，那时我真的感动到流泪，谢谢他们的支持！
DE : How does it feel when Nutz Cafe was launch on that day? Share the memorable moment with us.
DE : 当初你们开店的心情任何?
M : Excited and anxious. Excited because we would be one of the few cafe in frontline to try such approach in the country. Anxious and worried that the idea is too fresh to be accepted by the public.
M : 兴奋即害怕，害怕别人接受不到这样的概念！
DE : What is your responsibility for “NUTZ Cafe”?
DE : 你们三个人，每个人负责什么部分？那一方面比较得心应手呢?
M : Based on previous experience and also personal interests, I enjoyed experiment around with mixing drinks.
M : 我是负责水吧的工作的，也就是弄饮料的，可能是之前都做惯了，比较容易上手。其实我们赚不赚钱就看ROY的啦。
R : From my working experience, which I usually spend a lot of time in markets checking out stocks, I’ll be able to utilize my skill in maintaining quality control on the foods for the café. I’ll have the responsibility to keep the cost low while quality is good all the time.
R : 我之前做过的餐馆都是负责采购的，也就是因为如此，我大概都懂那里采购比较便宜又新鲜的材料，而志成就负责人事方面的事。
DE : Besides work, is there anything in life that inspires you?
DE : 生活灵感对你们的工作有什么影响?
M : There is an open day for Pudu jail which I’ve paid a visit into it previously and there is a lot of scribbles on the wall from the prisoners. This sparked an inspiration for me to create section inside Nutz café such as The Jail. You can freely express yourself while you’re inside. I naturally get inspired from thing that happens around me daily.
M : 就好像我们现在坐着这地方，是一次的参观完PUDU JAIL过后得回来的灵感，还有很多东西都是从我日常生活上得到灵感的。
DE : Under certain situation when argument occurs, how do you all solve the problem?
DE : 你们的意见特出，会不会有意见不和的时候?那要怎样解决?
M : In a work that involves more than a person, it’s a must that every person is willingly to share their view of a problem. By being honest, a lot of misunderstanding can be solved right away.
M : 一定有不和，其实什么都好，最重要是坦诚相对，有什么就讲出来！
R : I guess it has to be crystal clear not to mix up the relationship in between business partners and friendship. We have to always maintain a level of trust and belief between each other in order for the partnership to work.
R : 记得以前我们有什么事都收起来不谈，放在心里，有一天终于爆发起来了，真的很难收拾，但是大家坦白过后就比较容易解决，毕竟做夥伴和友情不能混在一起谈，生意上我们讲个信字，朋友上我们讲个义字。
DE : What is the most enjoyable moment up until this stage?
DE : 在营业期间，你们最享受的过程是那里?
M : I enjoyed the moment when customers are happy and enjoyed being at our place.
M : 那里看见顾客开心，没有限制的欢呼大笑！
R : I guess the most enjoyable moment when everyone I knew supported me towards the launch of the shop.
R : 很多人都在支持我，无论在什么情况下他们都无怨言的付出。 我不敢相信我们真的拼了个梦想出来，可能最享受的事是做自己喜欢的事情。
DE : Do you have anything in mind for the future?
DE : 那么疯人馆未来有什么大计划吗?
M : We had the same vision to open the second Nutz café somewhere around the region.
M : 我希望能在不同的地方开多几间不同主题的疯人馆，给顾客带来点不同的新鲜感！
R : On different Nutz café, you’ll be able to see a whole new experience which is different from every place.
R :我当然希望能办到，但是最重要的还是不要忘记我们开这间店的目的，就是能把戏剧融入进来！
DE : VOICE out!
DE : 你们有什么心声想大声的说出来吗?
M : You have to be clear and sure of what you want to do in life before making any drastic decision and moving towards it. The hardest thing in life is not how you able to accomplish a thing but to maintain the love and desire that you have at the first place until the end.
M : 清楚自己要什么，要坚持开始那时拥有的心态和热诚，不要半途而废，而且要一直保持开始那种满腔热情的心情！
R : I’m glad at where I am now. But without taking the first step, you will forever never move from where you are now.
R : 人是贪心的，可能我现在拥有了第一步，但是假如我没有踏出那辛苦的第一步，我会有今天吗?
DE : Thank you Nutz Cafe for taking the time and share your thoughts with our readers!
So how do you get to NUTZ cafe if you are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia? Below is the map to guide you there!
Map data courtesy of Google Map & Wikimapia.
