Tees Business Tees Business Issue 21 | Page 19

COVE R FE ATU R E stood Mike in good stead throughout his business career because the Racz Group is continuing to grow. The latest expansion this year will see a couple of new businesses added to the portfolio from each brand, but longer term there is potential for dozens of sites. And, as well as that sense of responsibility towards his staff, he is also passionate about wanting to see the North-East – and especially the Tees Valley – maximise its potential. “When I look back, all the way from my childhood in Hungary, everywhere I’ve been has been the underdog,” he says. “The North-East is a fantastic region with beautiful countryside and great people. It just needs to believe in itself. You can do you whatever you want in the whole world from here in the Tees Valley – you just have to dream big, then go out and do it.” It’s hard to escape the conclusion that if they were still handing out stickers, Mike Racz would be drowning in them by now. Dream big - Mike’s advice for his fellow entrepreneurs. The voice of business in the Tees region | 19