INTERVIEW
"Unfortunately, I tend to make the decisions in the company simply because I am so used to it" owever, things are not always this simple when it comes to reality: "Unfortunately, I tend to make the decisions in the company simply because I am so used to it. If I could somehow begin to accept some outstanding person’s outstanding decisions, it would definitely be great for me and for the company, but it will not come easily to me," he says. To Keld Mikkelsen, this delegation of responsibility is essential which is why he is attending sessions with a business psychologist to help him learn how to let go: "I have a very complex character and the ability to see things from different angles at the same time. I tend to have several opinions on the same subject, and so decisions can depend on which side of me dominates at that moment. I definitely need to do something about this behaviour," he says. A COOL GUY
Seeing as it was serendipity that got Keld Mikkelsen into the clothing business in the first place, he often wonders why he has been so lucky to have had such great opportunities and how he has managed to make DAY both an internationally respected brand and commercially successful company: "I never find myself sitting with a whisky in my hand and a big cigar in my mouth telling myself how cool I am. I do remember one time though, sitting in a plane shortly after having launched DAY thinking to myself, 'yes! Now I’m in charge of things.' That gave me a wonderful feeling of freedom. Mind you, shortly after that, I realised how much work you need to put in if you want to be independent as a businessman," he says. A large amount of money came along with
the many hours that Mikkelsen spent in airplanes, hotel rooms and meeting rooms. For that reason he appreciates the lifestyle that money buys him when he’s having coffee in cafés in the Caribbean, with celebrities sitting at tables nearby: "It probably has to do with my being a hillbilly that I get a kick out of such things," he ponders as he laughs. HE BUYS HIMSELF SOME UNREST
Whether the stardust has rubbed off on him or not, Mikkelsen is under no illusion that the blessing of money is the path to happiness: "I certainly don't feel more happy now. Sure, I have the opportunity to experience the world, though not necessarily in a better way compared to booking myself a cheap charter holiday and staying at the cheapest hotel. However, now that this is my lifestyle, I wouldn't want to give up the things money buys me," he says. Just as he can't help seeing things from several angles at once when taking business decisions, Keld Mikkelsen is, at the same time, both the sensible businessman with full oversight of his economy and the happy consumer with loose pockets: "For me there is no doubt that a healthy economy gives me peace of mind. Therefore it makes me wonder why I tend to act in a manner where I end up risking my peace of mind, either by investing too much money in one shop, because of emotions rather than a business plan, or by buying something for myself that, in the end, means even more expense. It’s as if I am a bit scared of falling asleep inside. So, at the same time money gives me some freedom, I tend to act in such a way that ends up putting restrictions on my freedom." WHERE2GO.DK | SUMMER 2013 | 1 2 1