How a choir boy became millionaire owner of celebrity hotspot Blanco Beach

Speaking with Real Business as part of our Business Class section, multimillionaire entrepreneur and investor Maximilian White has revealed his journey on the way to become owner of buzzing new celebrity hotspot Blanco Beach Club.

From songs used by Drake via his music production enterprise Defenders Entertainment to investments in Eastern European properties, White has plenty of boxes ticked, but it’s Blanco Beach that’s his latest pet project.

A beach club in Portugal, Blanco Beach has fast become a respected name on the nightlife scene thanks to a growing list of performers on the roster including US artists such as Kid Ink, Rick Ross, Tyga, French Montana and Tory Lanez, as well as British musicians including Tinie Tempah, Kyla, Tempa T, Alesha Dixon and Cheryl Cole.

Find out more on White’s story below.

(1) Were you born into wealth or has your success been self-made

I was born into a wealthy”family that losteverything, so since then I am a self-made millionaire. Both of my parents are hard-working and raised me to persevere and work hard too.

I went to a private school and was a choir boy. When my father lost everything, I went to a state school where I didn?t quite fit in and was a bit badly behaved.

(2) How much did your first job pay?

?60 a week. I worked for my father in his venues, from cleaning the floors to putting away dishes. Both my parents ran nightclubs in Nottingham, then hotels.

I ended up being the youngest venue licensee in the UK in Nottingham at the age of 17. I ended up using that as a platform to run big international events in Ayia Napa and Magaluf.

(3) You have achieved success in the venture capital sector industry, investing across various sectors hospitality, property, music and creative industries. Which has been the most lucrative market for you and why?

Property deals in Eastern Europe; I invested at the right times. I also was a shareholder in Beatport, which was a new concept for the music industry. The sales of my shares in Beatport gave me financial freedom to invest in various commercial and residential property investments as well as really develop my music label Defenders Entertainment.

I love music and have also got a chance to fund underprivileged communities in London to have priceless studio time with equipment they would never usually get access to.

Defenders Entertainment went onto produce hit tracks which led to shares in the rights to One Dance by Drake ft Wizkid and Kyla, and working with the likes of Omarion, Birdman, Kyla, Tempa T, Stylo G, Dot Rotten, Tinie Tempah and Blade Brown to Maxsta, Rascals, Jay Sean, Little Boots, Cheryl Cole, Alesha Dixon and Shontelle.

I came up with the concept of Blanco Beach Algarve earlier this year in 2017 and it was conceptualised and built within three months. It’s a great platform for top hip hop and house music artists to showcase their talents to an emerging summer destination.

I have a business partner in Portugal who helps run Blanco and we have another property business which focuses on the Algarve. There’s just so much potential there for growth as there’s already so much in Ibiza and Mykonos.

Portugal is an English-centric holiday destination without a lot of competition. I like to lead the way. We have had amazing talent this summer from Tyga, Rick Ross, Redfoo and Party Rock, Kid Ink, Richy Ahmed, Roger Sanchez, French Montana, Tory Lanez and more.

We received huge UK and local press coverage, many calling Blanco Beach the new Ibiza, and we can’t wait to host BPM and Elrow which is a huge house music draw for that international jet set.

(4) What has business ownership and funding taught you about money management?

That I need to make more to spend more. I love my supercars, Tom Ford clothes, Richard Mille watches and I have a closet full of Christian Louboutin. I?m also very generous with my friends as I want everyone to have a great time.

I have a house in Marbella and I recently got my friends together and have had great nights out at Teatro and Olivia Valerie’s.

(5) Tell us about your smartest investments

I was helping others?by investing in their’startup companies and taking their business to a new level. Beatport was incredible timing and I?m glad I saw that opportunity.

(6) Do you get more satisfaction from spending or saving your money?

Saving IAlways get buyer’s remorse. I do love splashing out on travel, cars and experiences, but I?m always working hard and looking for the next right investment so I can make more to spend more.

(7) What’s the most exciting element of running a business?

The risk factors. You can’t make it big unless you take big risks. Most of my most lucrative investments have been taking risks in new businesses and properties.

(8) What are your most expensive hobbies?

Supercars. I have a selection in both homes in Dubai and Marbella. In Marbella, I have a Porsche 918 Spyder, which is one out of five in the world.

(9) Most important thing in your life

My children. Family is so important to me. When I launched Blanco Beach Algarve, I invited my whole family down for the launch week and my mother was even dancing until 3am. I employ my family as well to work within my businesses, as it’s important to support those close to you.

(10) Do you have a favourite luxury brand

Tom Ford.

(11) Where has your most luxurious holiday taken you?

Maldives and Bora Bora, but the best holiday was?traveling?round with the Mediterranean on a super yacht.

(12) Excluding property, what has been your most expensive purchase

A Bugatti Veyron.