The Bearded Chap: Grooming Business Growth
Founded in 2013, The Bearded Chap is a premium beard-care brand that produces natural, Australian made grooming products for the modern day gentleman.
Vanilla Zulu: From Globe-Trotting Chef to Brisbane Business Mogul
Melanie Townsend grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe where fun meant cooking or baking. Learning how to make a little go a long way instilled an irrepressible creativity in her cooking, a lifelong passion for food, and led her to start two culinary schools on two different continents.
Passion for Food? Essential
“Everyone’s got a passion for food, everyone needs food, so it’s a market that’s always going to be there. My job now is to follow and predict food trends helping customers stay on par with a trend, as well as overseeing the supply of core ingredients to manufacturers.”
Essential Food Services was built on years of ‘blood, sweat and tears’, and it all began in 2011 after Guy and Melissa Lewis moved to Adelaide to start a family. They hadn’t planned to start a business while embarking on parenthood, but then the opportunity to buy a smallgoods company came up, and it was a perfect fit for them. Guy was experienced in transport and logistics having worked at Coles, and Melissa had a marketing background; together it provided a solid foundation to branch into the food industry.
Essential Food Services was built on years of ‘blood, sweat and tears’, and it all began in 2011 after Guy and Melissa Lewis moved to Adelaide to start a family. They hadn’t planned to start a business while embarking on parenthood, but then the opportunity to buy a smallgoods company came up, and it was a perfect fit for them. Guy was experienced in transport and logistics having worked at Coles, and Melissa had a marketing background; together it provided a solid foundation to branch into the food industry.
Growing Global: How Maison Design Trimmed Down to Scale Up
Twenty years ago, Peter Merchant was working in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula making Tuscan style pavers using local sandstone. Little did he know back then that the experience would kick off what he’s now grown to be a global business, exporting local products/stone as far as Dubai. But scaling up has meant trimming back, restructuring, and smarter spending.
“My motto is, even if you’re on the right track, if you sit there, you’ll get run over.”
“My motto is, even if you’re on the right track, if you sit there, you’ll get run over.”
The One Where Maison Design Had a $28,000 Crash and Burn
Peter Merchant’s business, Maison Design, often involves importing outdoor furniture from overseas. A few times his plans were foiled when the products he imported didn't meet his expectations.
The One Where Mid Life Cycles’ Shop Fit Out Stalled
After six years in business, Mid Life Cycles outgrew its shop and needed a bigger and better premises. Providing a memorable and pleasurable experience for customers has always been a core focus for director Michael Catchpole. And once he found the right location, nestled in Cremorne, Melbourne, he was ready to get building, but it was a rough ride.
Cupcake Central: Changing the World One Cupcake at a Time
Founder and director of Cupcake Central, Sheryl Thai, started her career in Information Technology. But when the Global Financial Crisis hit in 2009, she lost her job and decided to pursue her dream of opening a cupcake store. Eight years later, she has 5 stores across Melbourne.
The One Where Pietro Gelateria Missed Summer
Returning home after an inspiring trip to gelato university in Italy, owner of Pietro Gelateria Mathew Fleay planned to open up shop before summer.
Turbocharging Growth With Mid Life Cycles
Director of Mid Life Cycles, Michael Catchpole, has followed two passions in his life: motorcycles and media. Around the same time he earned a journalism cadetship, he got his motorcycle license. As he built a career in media and communications, he also raced and maintained motorcycles and cars. And eight years ago, Michael decided to take his passion for motorcycles to another level. Discover the early win that kick started their growth spurt, and see why this retail business continues to grow.
How to Calculate ROI on a Business Loan
Return on investment (ROI) measures investment performance. It calculates the profit as a percentage of the initial investment amount. A positive ROI means you will make more money than you invested. ROI can be the critical difference between ugly debt and positive growth.