KWIK STEP TO SUCCESS

One couple has turned their multistate Kwik Kopy franchise business into a family affair.

Suzan and Paul Lindsey own the award-winning Kwik Kopy Five Dock in Sydney, named Franchise of the Year in 2019. They co-own Kwik Kopy Coburg with a former employee. And now Suzan has bought the Shellharbour franchise.

It all started when the couple moved from Victoria to Suzan’s home state New South Wales. Paul was a dedicated Kwik Kopy employee who had notched up decades with the print and design firm.

But suddenly the pair had the opportunity to go into the business at Five Dock.

“We had three young children and it was a huge risk. We didn’t know if we would have enough money to support us to give the business a chance to grow,” says Suzan.

Despite the nervousness, the couple took the leap and bought the franchise. And it proved to be a good move. “It all turned out wonderfully. I was an account manager in media, Paul ran the centre and I did the accounting from home. Within six months we were quite content with the business, it was paying for itself, we were paying out the mortgage.” Suzan says the pair were told to expect to break-even in two years, and they were way ahead of that.

It wasn’t long before the couple spread their wings. One employee, Dipika, moved to Victoria and the couple went into business with her in the Coburg Kwik Kopy franchise. Now their franchisee partner, who emigrated from Nepal and was sponsored by Suzan and Paul, is going gangbusters, employing her first staff member.

The latest addition to the portfolio of businesses, the outlet at Shellharbour, is an opportunity for Suzan to become hands-on in her own business.

“I’m doing four weeks training learning all terminology, learning how to manage staff, that’s all new to me. Setting goals is part of my training. For me, it’s a daily goal: get some new customers, follow up leads, have a great day.” It’s now become a family affair, with all three offspring involved in some way in the business. “We have Daymein working with us as production manager. The other two, Naythen and Emma, are 10 and nine. “The kids have helped out when there’s a big job on – collating, putting books together. Emma’s the sealer of envelopes – she’s a master. Naythen is already learning the accounting side – he’s keen and he’s good at maths.” Suzan still handles the accounts for all of the stores – a sign that the couple understand the importance of playing to their own strengths. Neither has a background in family business, but there’s been no lack of business initiative. Before moving back to New South Wales, Paul spotted an opportunity to develop a 4D baby ultrasound service. While parents-in-waiting could get an ultrasound pic from some medical centres, he believed it was a commercial venture in the making. “We travelled to the US and purchased an ultrasound machine,” explains Suzan. “I

was trained for a week on how to do an ultrasound and I practised for a year at no charge out the front of Baby Bunting.”

Once comfortable with the procedure Suzan rented a shop and ran the business for five years before selling it to her employee.

So now the couple have interests in three geographically-distant locations and keep a close eye on all three. But each one has a different hands-on franchisee: the Five Dock franchise in Sydney where Paul takes a hands-on role four days a week; the co-owned Coburg store run by Dipika (with daily phone calls and accounts handled by Suzan); and the Shellharbour outlet run by Suzan, where Paul works one day a week.

The couple learned the importance of a strong team when Paul stepped back from the business for six months due to serious illness. “The team has to be very supportive and understanding,” says Suzan. The brand new Shellharbour outlet opened in December, with an official opening in February 2021. “I had to find the site, get the builders in, electricians in, and get it all ready. It’s been wonderful. In 12 months we should be doing well. In five years we expect to be comfortable.” In a few years the plan is to get their younger son involved and encourage him to join forces with his older brother to buy out their parents or grow the business further. For now, Suzan is relishing the work and the connection with community. “I’m loving it, it’s rewarding, if you follow through with a sale it’s very fulfilling. It’s surprising how many people you come across, being part of the community for a long time, which is great.” n

Setting goals is part of my training. For me, it’s a daily goal: get some new customers, follow up leads, have a great day.