Damian Dupla is an entrepreneur who doesn't wait for the perfect moment—he creates it. He shares how he thinks about business, why he trusts his intuition, and what allows him to grow the Duplo Group with the momentum he intended.
Let's start from the beginning – how did the idea to create the Duplo Group come about and did you already have such a broad scope of activities in mind?
Damian Dupla: The Duplo Group was born from the desire to create something big. The main idea was to establish a large capital group with the prospect of extensive expansion. It was also about doing things better, more efficiently. I started with one specific area in which I had experience and competence. Only over time, as the company grew, did new ideas emerge, new market needs arose, and partners who saw me as a solid player and had enormous potential. Expanding the scope of our activities was a natural consequence – always in line with our philosophy and values. I was always ready to take on enormous challenges. The Duplo Group is the result of this process – the gradual, thoughtful building of something larger than just a single business.
What was most important to you when building the foundations of the company – vision, people, market, or perhaps intuition?
DD: At the very beginning – definitely connections and intuition. Of course, vision and market analysis are important, but without the right connections and without trusting your own intuition, nothing would succeed. I was aware that no company can build itself. You need people who share similar values, can take responsibility, and are willing to go into the unknown together. The team was and still is crucial to me – they make the vision a reality. The second foundation was intuition – not everything can always be calculated and planned. Often, you simply have to feel that this is the right direction, even if there isn't hard data yet. And that worked for me – I made many decisions “by feel,” but always with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Only later, when the company began to grow, did a broader vision and a more analytical approach to the market emerge. But in the beginning – a huge number of contacts and instinct. Without this, there would be no foundation on which to build something lasting.
As an entrepreneur, what philosophy do you prioritize in running your business?
DD: I believe in the value of risk in making difficult decisions. In business, you can't predict or plan everything—sometimes you just have to make a decision, even though you're not 100% sure how it will turn out. It's in moments like these that true leadership is forged. For me, making difficult decisions means:
1. Taking responsibility – for the team, for the direction of the company’s development, for the consequences of decisions that will not always be universally approved, but are necessary.
2. Resistance to pressure – because not every decision will bring quick results, and often you have to go against the flow, believing in a long-term vision.
3. Courage to change – sometimes you have to close a stage, give up comfort, or even admit a mistake – to make room for something better. Making difficult decisions is not only a risk but also a sign of respect for the company and the people who work for it. Because true growth cannot be achieved by standing still and waiting for the perfect conditions.
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What is Duplo Development's vision?
DD: Duplo Development is my dream and goal, to leave a legacy. I want to create bold, ambitious, and future-proof projects—even if they seem impossible today. It might sound like a pipe dream, but I want cities like Radom to achieve a completely new level of quality. Yes, I'm thinking about one day building something as spectacular as two skyscrapers (Duplo Tower and Illuminati Tower) in a city previously unassuming of a modern skyline. Because why not? My greatest strength is combining vision with dreams and their realization. I believe that bold architecture can go hand in hand with local context, sustainable development, and the real needs of its residents. Because if you're going to build, do it with panache and purpose. Even in Radom. Or maybe there!
“In investing, what is convenient is rarely profitable.” Has this motto proven accurate for you?
DD: Throughout my career, I've often faced the choice of investing in projects that, at first glance, didn't offer immediate benefits and actually generated costs, or opting for easier, more convenient, and less risky solutions. However, I often opted for the former, less comfortable path. One such moment was the decision to engage in a project that formally didn't bring me direct profits. In reality, I often even “contributed” to it to prove I could operate effectively and reliably. Why? Because I knew that joining a tight-knit group of investors and entrepreneurs would open the door to further, much more promising ventures. This decision was uncomfortable—it required an investment of time, energy, and resources with no guarantee of return. But in retrospect, I see that this is precisely what allowed me to gain the reputation and trust of those who decide on the largest projects. They began to offer me collaborations and access to lucrative investments that remained unavailable to others. This “uncomfortable” decision showed me that what matters most in investing is a long-term vision and a willingness to take risks, which most avoid for fear of uncertainty. Comfort and immediate profit can be disastrous – true value lies in taking a bold step into the unknown.
The White Piano is a concept that transcends traditional culinary thinking. Where did the idea come from, and what role does the Duplo Group play in the overall project?
DD: For me, the Biały Fortepian restaurant is more than just a place serving food. It's a concept that transcends traditional gastronomy, combining cuisine with culture, art, and a unique atmosphere. The idea for Biały Fortepian arose from the need to create a space that inspires, integrates, and engages our guests on many levels—tastefully, emotionally, and socially. As part of the Duplo Group project, Biały Fortepian will serve not only as a dining destination but also as a meeting place, a cultural event, and a space for establishing business relationships. It's a natural extension of my investment philosophy—I focus on projects that combine economic value with a unique experience and create lasting connections with the surrounding community. Thanks to this approach, Biały Fortepian will become a brand recognized not only in the restaurant industry but also in creative and business communities, which will positively impact the entire Duplo Group ecosystem.
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And finally, how do you envision the future of the Duplo Group in a few years? What direction do you want to take as an entrepreneur?
DD: The future of the Duplo Group depends largely on my vision and ambitions as an entrepreneur. So far, I've achieved many personal goals that seemed distant just a short while ago—today I own a private yacht, drive a Ferrari, and fly my own helicopter. This is proof that consistent work and bold decisions bring tangible results. However, this is just the beginning. My next goal is not only to grow the Duplo Group domestically and internationally, but also to become one of the richest Poles. In the future, I would also like to realize my dream of owning a private jet—a symbol of the next level of freedom and mobility that are incredibly important to me as an entrepreneur. I want to move forward, constantly develop, and make bold investments that will allow the Duplo Group to become an even more recognizable and innovative brand on the market.
