So often many of us have great ideas for a business, but not all of us act on them. This former lawyer was different. Swapping sanctions for salads, opening four health cafes in inner Melbourne. Meet Georgia Samuel, the founder of Famish'd!
What was the lightbulb moment that inspired you to start Famish’d? Being a former lawyer, I spent many lunchtimes searching the Melbourne CBD for healthy, filling and delicious food. Having realised that sushi was the only real option (there’s only so much sushi a person can eat!) I started bringing my own hearty salads into work each day. I started to ‘joke’ with my husband that one day I would leave my career in the law to open a salad bar...
What do you love most about working in the food space? The interaction. Unlike an office job, being in hospitality allows you to meet new people every day. To interact with people and make new friends through your regular customers.
I also love dealing with fresh food. We are so lucky in Australia to have access to such an incredible amount of amazing fresh produce. Very few countries in the world have the access to the kind of produce we have here in Australia and I think we often take for granted how lucky we are.
How do you manage the juggle between not only a family, but four stores? This is a question I am asked often. I must admit, that sometimes I am not sure I am juggling it all that well but when I do feel on top of things is when I take a step back and remind myself that even though there is a huge to-do list sitting on my table, it is important to focus on the task, store, child - or whatever it is I am invested in on that day at that moment. So when I am with my daughter, I ensure my phone is put away and I am fully invested in her. I ensure every minute of my time with her is quality time. Likewise with the stores, while there may be issues at other stores, I try to focus and give 100% to the store and staff I find myself in and with at that particular moment.
What would be your biggest words of wisdom for other women starting their own business? This will sound cliche but schedule “me time”. So much focus goes into your business, your staff, your family that there is often one person that gets neglected. And if that person doesn’t get a look in, it will all come crashing down around you. It doesn’t have to be a full hour massage, just time out. Time to do the mundane things that people in regular workplaces do - look at facebook, online shopping, reading mundane articles, watch a show. It is important to schedule time that forces you not to think about your business or other worries but forces you to think about something which is completely stress free.
What’s one thing that people are surprised about you when they meet you? My corporate past. I’m a strong believer that you shouldn’t ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t otherwise do yourself. As such, I often find myself clearing and washing dishes, emptying bins. All the non-glamourous stuff. I think it is for this reason that both staff and customers are often shocked to hear that I come from a successful career in a large corporate law firm.
How do you take your coffee?
Strong … !
Where would you love to open another Famish’d store? There are a number of spaces within the Melbourne CBD that I believe are also lacking in healthy, filling and delicious food. I have had another of lease options come my way but they aren’t quite in the spaces I believe really demand it. Think about where the existing 4 stores are and you might be able to work out for yourself where the next one might be ….
What’s on the horizon next for you? Watch this space
Discover your closest Famish'd: http://famishd.com.au/
