In the heart of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, José Antonio Santamaría opens the doors of Bar Tostanova every day. He’s been doing it for over 20 years, Without partners or employees, with great effortinvestments and personal sacrifices. His story, told on Eric Ponce’s YouTube channel, encapsulates the reality of many self-employed people who keep small neighborhood establishments afloat.
“There was a lack of work, but I saw an opportunity and had some money so I put it into it,” he explained of how it started. What started as a project to make a living ends up becoming their livelihood, and every decision has a cost. ”Total amount from 50,000 to 60,000 euros including transfer, license and council fees.” he elaborated, indicating that the transfer was only 30,000.
Today is Jose Antonio He is the only employee at the bar. “I don’t have a choice,” he admits. Your day is determined by the pace of your clients, the money that day, and your own health. Because in his case there is no possibility of casualties. Because without him, business would stop. “Workers everywhere else have all the rights I don’t have, with far less work. As self-employed people, we’re hanging our butts in the air,” he laments.
He asserts that dealing with the general public is the most complex. ”There are great people there who give me the strength to keep going. But if it’s 10 or 15 percent…” he trailed off, alluding to the tense moment he had experienced. Still, he’s proud of the fact that he always remained calm: “In all these years, I’ve never had to call the City Guard.”
José Antonio recognizes that this business has given him enough to live on, but he has never been able to make significant profits. “You have to win to survive.”he says without exaggerating, though he admits the financial and personal toll has been enormous. “I’ve worked and fought, so financially I’ve taken care of my family, but I’ve done little else. If you take care of the bar, you can’t take care of anyone else.”
Despite everything, he doesn’t regret trying. “Of course I’ve made mistakes, but I learn from them. Money is important to me when I have it, but when I lose it, I don’t remember it anymore,” he reflects. Advice for those dreaming of opening a bar “Don’t build new. Look for an old license. If you build from scratch, you won’t be able to.” is direct and straightforward.
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