ARTICLE in FULL on AQUA GOLD:
He's no Mr. Nightlife, but he used to be
MAXINE MENDELSSOHN, The Gazette
Published: Thursday, August 30
Marc-Olivier Hassoun, 27
Shot: At Santos, 191 St. Paul St. W., Old Montreal.
Nickname: "Four months after I started working at Buona Notte, they took me aside and said, 'There's two things we want to tell you. No. 1: You're Italian now, and No. 2: Your new name is Marco.' "
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To get into Buona Notte, you had to get by Marc-Olivier Hassoun.
RICHARD ARLESS JR., THE GAZETTE
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Font:****Current occupation: "I'm the co-founder and executive vice-president of Aqua Gold International. We export water to China."
His greatest achievement: "In every phase of my life, I think I've had 'greatest achievements.' When I was a professional fencer, I won every medal and competition. Then at Buona Notte, I wanted to be a bouncer, but they were only looking for busboys. I started cleaning the toilets and became the general manager."
At midnight he's ... : "Before, I'd be standing at the door with bouncers and a huge line of people yelling my name and begging to get in. Now, at midnight I'm sleeping. I'd like to be sleeping in a hammock. Kids in Cuba sleep in hammocks they make out of potato bags. There's no sleep like a sleep in a hammock."
His favourite drink: "I'm obsessed with wine. But I also like my vodka with ice and a little Aqua Gold water."
Last time he pulled an all-nighter: "My life is a series of all-nighters."
On partying with celebrities: "Bruce Willis, Chelsea Clinton, rock stars, NFL players, singers, Jude Law, Giselle Bündchen. ... It would be faster to name the celebrities I haven't partied with. "
What he misses most about being a kid: "Looking up to adults like they knew everything."
Last time he cried: "When my partner called from China and basically told me that two years of hard work had finally paid off."
How he makes his parents proud: "That's tough. They both came to Canada with nothing and under very difficult circumstances, so they have fears that just aren't based in the reality of the world today. They really flipped out when I dropped out of law school to be manager at Buona. Bottom line, I don't live for the happiness of others, and they should be happy to see me thrive."
His velvet-rope secrets: "Not to sound snobby, but Buona has the toughest velvet rope in the city. Do not tell the bouncer who you are. If he doesn't recognize you, you're nobody. When you stand in front of the velvet rope, you're asking to be judged: Are you cool enough to get in? You have to be able to handle the answer. Anyway, life isn't about getting in; it's about what happens after you get out."
mtlgazettegirl@hotmail.com
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