Meet Thomas Angenbroich

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Thomas Angenbroich a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Thomas, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I’m a very big believer in working for what you want in life. There’s no such thing as handouts in life, and everything you have in life needs to be earned. I am somebody who works 24/7, whether I recognize it or not. Whether it’s designing flyers / graphics, planning events, creating a new party concept, or simply just at home brainstorming the next step. You’ve got to put aside the distractions and set goals for yourself, and stay on yourself to achieve your goals.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the owner of a unique 90’s themed bar on Long Island called Nostalgia. It is a one-of-a-kind experience, all dedicated to 90’s nostalgia. You walk in and you’re instantly hit in the face with bright colored walls, nostalgic photos and memorabilia all over the walls. We do weekly 90’s themed parties, trivia nights, 90’s themed karaoke etc, as well as tons of live music events.

It’s an idea that was born about a decade ago, that me & one of my partners, Shawn, had come up with. And about 2 years ago, we were able to bring it all to life.

We are prideful on our ability to bring one of a kind experiences, and our love for the 90’s really shows throughout the bar.

Work doesn’t feel like work; I’m passionate about what I do & being here feels like I’m just hanging out with all my friends. Our goal is to make sure anyone who walks through the door has a memorable experience, and that they’re smiling from beginning to end.

You can visit www.nostalgiali.com for more info, or follow @NostalgiaBarLI on social media.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I learned most of what I needed to know in this line of business from my previous job as the general manager of a music venue in Amityville, called Revolution Music Hall. That is where I learned how to operate a music venue in all facets; from inventory, to event planning, to staffing/scheduling & everything in between. Being on the job there gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to own my own place and be able to bring these qualities out on my own.

The three most important qualities in this line of work are dedication, passion & patience. There are a lot of moving pieces in the music and bar industry, and it’s rare that everything aligns perfectly at once. You’ve got to be able to handle situations on a constantly changing basis. Obstacles will always be present, sometimes last minute, but you’ve got to be patient in weathering the storm.

For people who are passionate about this business, there are days where you want to rip your hair out of your head, but always days where you remember why you got involved in this business in the first place.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I’m big on always being able to improve myself in areas that maybe aren’t as strong as what I feel my best qualities are. There is never a perfect situation, and it’s important to be able to admit when you’re performing below par, and being able to get yourself to where you want to be.

Hard work will pay off in every aspect of life, even if you never perfect it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nostalgiali.com
• Instagram: @nostalgiabarli
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nostalgiabarLI
• Twitter: https://x.com/NostalgiaBarLI