When Anna Calcagno first saw the Gelatissimo gelateria, she fell in love with its look and the beautiful gelato, and she knew it was her ideal franchise.
 

Now Anna owns the Lygon Street outlet in Carlton, Melbourne and shares her story. 

1. Why did you choose this franchise?

I truly believed in the product. I knew the flavours were amazing and the beautiful presentation would make it easy to sell.

Going down the franchise route was safer in our minds than starting something from scratch. After our initial enquiries we felt comfortable with Gelatissimo, because it offered the support we needed, not only at the beginning but on an ongoing basis.

When our location came up in a popular eating district known as little Italy in Melbourne, we didn’t hesitate to grab it and went from there.

2. What did you do before taking up a franchise?

While our children were young I worked in my husband’s business in a part time  administrative capacity.

3. How did you raise the finance?

We had recently sold a half share in a business that had been extremely successful, so we were sufficiently cashed up to have enough money to cover our start up costs, renovation expenses for our gelateria and working capital to carry us through the first few months of trading.

4. What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?

We had in-office training in Sydney and on-site training in the Coogee gelateria. Two head office staff came to Melbourne for our opening and the first five days. Support has always been excellent and continues to be so today.

5. What is a typical day for you as a franchisee?

Because I manage my own store, I work in a full time capacity, so my shop’s presentation, including the gelato display, is always of a high standard.

The first thing I do each day is ensure that any surfaces not properly cleaned the night before are wiped down and sparkling. I then set up the till so there is enough change to get through the day.

I check which flavours need to be made so all the trays are full and looking fabulous and make what is necessary, re-garnishing or fixing any flavours not being made but which are perhaps looking a bit shabby.

There is always some paperwork, be it rosters, paying bills, banking etc, and this fills in the days. We defrost various freezers during the week, including both rotundas and the three upright freezers in which we store our back up stock.

And, of course, we spend time with our customers, so their experience in our store is a great one.

6. What challenges have you faced?

The biggest challenge is ensuring my staff maintains my very high standards. Because I know it’s impossible to be there constantly, I concentrate on training staff better on a one-on-one basis.

7. Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?

I would say that becoming a franchisee has changed my life. It has given me a confidence I didn’t know I possessed. I realise how much I love people and dealing with them. I am really happy to go to work every day. It’s also been rewarding financially giving us extra ‘play’ money at a time in our lives where we can enjoy it.

8. What advice would you give to someone thinking of buying their first franchise?

Do your research and speak to people involved in that particular franchise. Learn as much as possible about the product and if you truly believe in it and are confident other people can also love and want it, then go for it. Do your sums carefully so you don’t put yourself under too much pressure financially and ensure there is a strong team behind you, to guide you along the way.

9. What are your plans for the future?

I love my job and the rewards are great, so for now things will remain as they are. I would hope that within the next few years my husband and I can think of semi retiring. We may opt to sell what we have and live off our earnings and hard work or have someone in place to manage our shop and just have a minimal involvement.

10. Would you do it again?

Absolutely. I’m sorry I didn’t do it earlier in my life. Being involved in a franchise with a great team and a sense of family is wonderful. All my hard work is paying off. It’s been rewarding both financially and personally and I’m very proud of the person I’ve become building my business and making it a success.