In honour of Valentine's Day, we delve into the world of love and business with Tsibo Lin and Celine Lin-Chu, the dynamic duo behind the successful SLOK Hospitality Group. This Amsterdam-based power couple has taken the hospitality industry by storm with their unique boutique hotels and vibrant food concepts. But what makes their partnership tick?

What inspired you both to venture into the hospitality industry together?

Our venture into the hospitality industry together was inspired by our shared passion for creating unique experiences, deeply rooted in both of our backgrounds. Growing up in hospitality families, we've always been surrounded by the dynamics of providing service and creating welcoming spaces for guests. Although we briefly explored other paths—Tsibo in the cleaning business and Celine in fashion—we found our true calling in hospitality. This industry feels like home to us, a familiar yet endlessly innovative field where we can apply our skills. Tsibo's extensive experience in hospitality entrepreneurship and Celine's creative vision in design and aesthetics have empowered us to innovate and redefine boutique hotel concepts. Our aim is to blend cultural heritage with modern luxury, a journey that began with our first venture of transforming a budget hotel into the boutique Linden Hotel. It's in the hospitality industry where we've decided to grow our various businesses, leveraging our heritage and passion to create spaces that tell a story and invite guests to create their own

What are the positives and negatives of working together? 

Working together brings a lot of good things to the table. For one, Tsibo's vision for big-picture thinking perfectly complements Celine's eye for creativity and detail. This mix has led us to come up with unique ideas like The Collector, where every little element tells a part of a bigger story. On the flip side, it's not always easy to keep our work and personal lives separate. When you live and work with your partner, the lines can blur, and it's a constant effort to make sure we respect each other's space and expertise. In simpler terms, we love creating together, but we also have to be mindful to give each other room, both at work and at home."

How do you overcome any disagreements?

Whenever we disagree, we make sure to talk it out and listen to what the other has to say. We see these moments not as setbacks, but as chances to come up with even better ideas together. It's all about understanding each other's point of view and working towards our common goals

What has been the funniest or most memorable moment of your experience working together?

One of the most rewarding aspects of working as a couple in our business is sharing significant moments together. One particular memory stands out: sitting in the audience at the Entrée Awards for 'Best New Hotel' and hearing the name of the Collector Hotel called out. The joy and disbelief we felt as we looked at each other made it truly special – it was the crown on our hard work.

How do you balance the professional and personal aspects of your relationship?

We make sure to spend quality time together away from work, focusing on our family and our three kids. Keeping work separate and making time for just us and our children is really important. It's all about finding the right balance and making sure our family gets the attention it deserves.

What advice would you give a couple who are looking to start a business together?

Make sure what you want in business matches what's important to you personally, and value each other's skills. Talking things out and keeping work separate from your personal life are key to getting along well and doing well in business together.