“Believe in fate, which is what marksout our day-to-day experiences.What will be, will be.”
Tell us a little about yourself, your life, your story.
I started off in Benidorm with a nightclub called 007. It was called that because all the tourists in Benidorm were English, and at that time, James Bond films were very popular. He was in fashion. Then I opened several clothing stores in Alcoy, where I manufactured my clothes. The business worked like a charm. After that, I moved to the Canary Islands, to Playa del Inglés, and set up several clothing stores and restaurants. It was at a time when there were no exclusive fashion brands in the Canary Islands. The decision was a huge success. Then I came to Marbella for the 25th anniversary of the Marbella Club, invited by a friend. Of course, I was accompanied by my partner, Elsa, who is highly qualified in fashion, stylish and beautiful, which is essential to mingle with the jet set, or get invited to the renowned parties… These were my beginnings in Marbella. I met Sean Connery at that party. Back then, he was the protagonist of James Bond, Secret Agent 007. I had the disco, 007, and several boutiques called 007. That was when I decided to move permanently to Marbella. Again, it was a success. The following winter I came and bought a store in Puerto Banus, and opened my first store in Marbella. I left Benidorm and the Canary Islands, and settled here. 30 years have gone by since then.
So who is Gabriel Rocamora? Did you know you wanted to be an investor from an early age? Are entrepreneurs born or made?
I consider myself a down to earth person, I make friends easily. That’s why it wasn’t hard for me to get into Marbella’s social scene. I’ve met all the most influential people of Marbella’s nightlife, and I was able to fit in very quickly. Being an entrepreneur was in my blood, maybe that’s why it’s been very easy for me to build businesses. The times we lived in also helped a lot.
A historical or contemporary reference who you admire?
There’s a personality here in Marbella who I’ve admired from the first day I saw him – as you might expect – Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón. I respected him for his nature. A very intelligent man, and the king of night and day. He was Khashoggi’s secretary. We set up a Harley Davidson motorcycle club… I’ve shared some great memories with him, as I had the privilege of knowing him personally.
How do you see the youth of today?
They’re a little crazy, obsessed with their mobiles, the worst enemy of young people. They’re very egotistical, and only think about themselves, generally speaking.
As a prominent entrepreneur and businessman, could give us some good advice?
I can’t advise you on that, because I believe an entrepreneur is born. The main things are having good ideas, believing in yourself and giving it a go, whether it works or not. It’s better not to tell people your ideas, so they don’t discourage you. You can ask, but only on an advisory level.
Have you got any funny anecdotes about things that have happened to you in Marbella?
I get up every day and just live life. I have a anecdote per day.
Are you a man of firm convictions? Have you put theory into practice?
I know my own mind. Whatever I do, I do with utter conviction, always putting one foot in front of the other. I’m prudent, and I always have a card up my sleeve, in case the business fails.
What have your most important achievements been?
My three children, and the education I have been able to provide them with.
What do you usually do in your free time?
Have fun and do lots of sport. I especially love playing golf. A Hole in One – I managed to get a Hole in One – in fact, I’ve won many competitions.
You have a villa with an extraordinary design, which is totally different from the architecture that is carried out today in Marbella. It’s very original… Tell us, who’s the architect?
Angel Taborda. He was an Argentinian architect, and one day while having lunch with him, I told him I wanted to have a house built. He designed a house for me, and then he had the house built, exactly like the design he’d come up with at that lunch. (He was a well-known architect for the Hanging Houses of la Quinta).
I’M PRUDENT, AND I ALWAYS HAVE A CARD UP MY SLEEVE
I can see a magnificent James Bond 007 sign at the entrance to your house. Tell us the story of the logo, the 007 by which you are recognised, and not only here in Marbella.
It came from a nightclub I had in Benidorm, where all the tourists were English, at the time when James Bond movies were in vogue, and things went so well for me that I kept the name and logo in all my businesses. Until an English firm 007 came along, and made me pay royalties for using the name, so I ended up getting rid of the name and the logo.
Do you like to delegate?
I don’t like to delegate, I do everything myself.
Any hobbies?
Football and golf.
Lastly, define what true luxury is for you.
A good woman as a companion at a good dinner. For me, time isn’t luxury, because I always have all the time in the world, being the highly organised man that I am.