Life’s stock take pays off

I can be honest when I say that 13 years ago as I started my career in finance, that I never expected to be the owner of my very own IGA retail franchise. One year on, I can say with equal honesty that I couldn't be happier.

On reflection, you could say that I’d followed in my father's footsteps; Dad worked in finance for most of his early career before starting his own business in his mid-30s.

After completing a Bachelor of Business at Queensland's University of Technology, I started work for ANZ Bank, where I worked in a range of roles over the years.

While the positions I held varied - from credit analyst to manager of asset finance and relationship manager - it was my role as relationship manager that I enjoyed the most. I've always been a people person; essential for what was to become the next phase of my career.

I knew there was more to my future than banking and decided it was time for a change. I'd always wanted to run my own business so I decided to research my options; retailing came out on top.

A friend of mine owned a successful IGA retail store in Queensland, so when a managerial position at one of his stores became available I jumped at the chance to work there. Over the next 10 months I gained valuable insight into the industry and, more importantly, I was able to see exactly how IGA retailers operate and the benefits of joining the IGA banner.

When a supermarket in Birkdale became available I purchased the store and began the process of converting it over to IGA. What made IGA my clear choice was the structure and network they provide that easily supports those considering a career change into grocery retailing.

IGA offered me great support in all areas of the business, from training staff, to the best way to increase my store's product range and even how to organise regular catalogue distribution in the area to increase my store's visibility to customers.

After re-badging the store, I focused on creating an authentic supermarket feel by opening up the layout and increasing shelf size and product range. I intend to add a further 80 square metres to my floor space in the next few months in order to take advantage of the big buying benefits IGA provides.

My grovery retail franchise store enjoyed a 50 per cent increase in sales in the first 11 months of trading - with strong prospects for further growth.

While we have quite a few competitors in our area, our store-level activity together with IGA's programs like Food 4 Life, Kids Club and Community Chest are great initiatives that our regular customers love. It's this point of difference that encourages great community atmosphere and leads to loyal customers.

While running my store is very demanding, I love the flexibility of being my own boss and the variety of tasks required of me. On an average day, I can go from placing orders to organising rosters for my 14 staff members one minute, to serving customers and stacking shelves the next.

Overall, I'd say the most rewarding aspect of owning my own business is seeing the results. There is nothing more satisfying than being in charge of a project from start to finish, putting in 110 per cent, and then seeing your hard work pay off.

Geoff Bonwick owns IGA Birkdale in Queensland

This article appears courtesy of Franchising Magazine