As a feature of this blog, I will regularly invite members of our Southside community to share their local stories. I recently met with Robyn and Jack from Kafe Meze in West End. Although still doing it tough following the floods, they offered to share their experiences as local business owners.
"I guess, we as a family business, are still trying to get over the week of the 11th January 2011.
Our business was established in 2000, in West End and with a couple of ups and downs we are still committed and passionate about our choice of location.
Jack is an Athenian, I met him in Athens back in 1982. He was trained in hospitality in Canada and once he settled in Australia, he had a vision – to create his own style of Greek Tavern – Kafe Meze.
It was West End that Jack was drawn to, with its multicultural feel - to establish our business.
It takes a lot of heart to become a small family business and many times I want to know if it is really worth all the effort.
There is a definite downturn in business activity. People are just not spending. There is a sense of loss, we may look as though we are functioning but I believe that there is a loss of confidence.
The weather overall has been unkind but for all the stress there is a definite satisfaction at the end of each week knowing that we have presented our product to the public and they have enjoyed the experience.
Christopher and Rebecca our children believe in our business and wish to take it into the future. This will fall mainly to Christopher – I wish him every success."
Having a family business is great yet stressful, having to deal with your relatives and family is different from people that you don't have any attachment to.
ReplyDeleteI salute you for maintaining a profitable business for such a long time. Even without a business consultant, you have established your brand in the market effortlessly.
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