Kóki built a life by refusing to take no for an answer

Herbert Ólason, known as Kóki, has lived an adventurous life shaped by bold decisions and a belief that problems can be solved, mbl.is reports. His autobiography, Aftur á bak, was written by Logi Bergmann Eiðsson.

“If you always think about problems, you’ll run into problems. But if you think in terms of solutions, they will appear,” Kóki says in the book. “It’s also not good to doubt your decisions. The first idea is usually the best.”

Kóki is best known for horse riding and horse trading, and has lived in Germany for 40 years. Born in Reykjavík in 1943, he grew up in the city centre. As a boy, he was sent to the countryside and later took part in the herring boom. After training as a carpenter, he moved to Akureyri at around 20, having met a woman from the town.

In Akureyri, he became a prominent businessperson, entrepreneur and fashion figure. Logi describes him as an adventurer who does not understand the meaning of “no” and is always convinced things will work out. If he falls, Logi says, he simply gets back up.

Logi says working with Kóki went smoothly and that they quickly connected. He describes his relative as completely open about his flaws, including a complicated love life and business ventures that had mixed fortunes. Kóki was heavily in debt for a time, Logi says, but is now doing very well. He adds that Kóki was most generous when he had little or no money.

Logi discusses the book further in Morgunblaðið’s Sunday edition.