Six of the Adelaide western suburbs’ power business couples
From cafe owners to home distillers and Dutch desserts, meet six power business couples from the western suburbs taking Adelaide by storm.
West & Beaches
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The western suburbs are home to hundreds of small businesses but it’s the ones run by power couples that are taking the area by storm.
From cafes to a distillery, these couples are working together to bring the local community together with their businesses.
Here are six of the most successful business power couples in the western suburbs.
Pixie and the Hawk
Suburb: Torrensville
Hospitality power couple Emma and Rhys Davis, 36 and 38, said they’ve always had a goal of opening their own business.
“We met in 2014 and had the vision almost immediately,” the couple said.
After opening their cafe in 2017, the couple has been able to work on their goals and create a unique community.
“(Our) favourite moment was probably seeing the customers flooding back in the door after we reopened post-Covid lockdowns,” they said. “The sense of community was beautiful to be a part of.”
The pair said owning a cafe doesn’t come without it challenges and the current financial climate was quite stressful.
“Unfortunately the current climate and lack of government support sees us simply aiming to survive these days,” they said.
“With wage and rent increases along with supply increases the days of big business dreams are behind us.
“We hope the climate changes but for now we aim to be here to continue to serve the community this time next year.”
Any Given Sunday
Suburb: Cheltenham
Wife-and-wife business couple Alex and Alice Perisic, 31 and 33, have a love for hospitality having both worked in the industry for more than 10 years.
In February last year, the couple opened Any Given Sunday after finally finding the right site.
“We had always been drawn to the charm of Adelaide’s old shop fronts and corner stores and bringing them back to life,” Alex said.
“It had taken us two years of searching before we had found our Cheltenham site and a landlord who was willing to let us flip it back into a commercial building.
“We selfishly created a coffee shop that we’d want to be our local, quality coffee, quality service and of course dog-friendly.”
The couple – who also part-own Gallery Rooftop Bar in Adelaide – have been together for ten years and said working together is a “rewarding feeling”.
“We’ve been together for ten years and we’ve been bouncing ideas off of each other for so long, so to finally see them come to life in both businesses is a rewarding feeling,” Alex said.
“We’ve taken risks, worked hard and when small things happen, we let ourselves enjoy the moment.”
Alex said they’ve loved working in a tight-knit community and watching the effect the coffee shop has had.
“We’re blown away by the impact the shop has had on the community after only a year,” she said.
“It’s really got us thinking on how we can give back and continue growing with the suburbs and locals and we’ve got some exciting plans in the future to encourage community engagement and create a vibrant neighbourhood.”
Long Way Round Distilling Co.
Suburb: Henley Beach
The Covid pandemic was a difficult time for many, but it provided powerhouse couple Richard and Erin Zivkovic, 38 and 33, the perfect opportunity to follow their dreams.
Now, almost five years later, the pair are crafting unique spirits for South Australians to enjoy.
“LWRD. Co started as a hobby and is something I am very about,” Mr Zivkovic said.
“Covid was a bit of a catalyst to make a push to do something we enjoy and something to call our own.
“The dream of starting a distilling company was always far fetched and thought to be completely out of reach financially.”
Mr Zivkovic said he and his wife figured out a way to open the business on a small budget out of home.
“We figured out a way to start it as a home-based business and on a minimal budget, giving an opportunity to begin without risking everything we have already worked so hard for,” he said.
“After about two years of planning and building, we opened for a friend’s private event in November 2022.”
Mr Zivkovic said their first market at Glenelg was a scary but exciting experience.
“This was our first time having our products in front of numerous people that we didn’t know,” he said.
“It was scary, exciting and everything in between. We both worked the market together and the feedback was well beyond our expectations.”
The couple said it’s a special experience growing the business with their children Matilda, 2, and Harry, 12 weeks.
“Another great moment is sharing the process with our children,” Mr Zivkovic said.
“Washing lemons and filling bottles becomes a little more fun when our two-year-old wants to help.
“She also set up her own ‘store’ at home and sells gin and limoncello.”
Mr Zivkovic said running a small business was challenging – especially given he works full-time as an airconditioning technician and Mrs Zivkovic works in government full-time.
“Ultimately, we want some form of freedom that can come with owning and running your own business,” he said.
“While small business owners will tell you it is a 24/7 job, which it is, there is some flexibility around building your business around the stage of life you are currently in.
“Small things, like being able to take the kids to school and pick them up each day, is something I would like to do but currently cannot with the industry I am in.”
Sunnyside Cafe and Bar
Suburb: Henley Beach
In February 2021 two brothers brought their talents together and created a popular bar and cafe on the esplanade at Henley Beach.
The business focuses on brunch and serving its patrons with delicious and unforgettable meals.
Owner Mattis Vanzatti works closely with his brother and qualified chef Liam.
The venue, which has stunning views, offers all-day breakfast, a bottomless dumpling night, bottomless mimosa packages and functions for up to 70 guests.
TaCHs Stroopwafels
Suburb: Clovelly Park
After moving to Adelaide from the Netherlands in May 2016, husband and wife Bianca van de Berg, 51, and Leendert Mulder, 54, decided it was time to introduce some of their national cuisine to the city.
“We missed our traditional, freshly baked Dutch stroopwafels,” Ms van de Berg said.
“We decided to buy a commercial stroopwafel iron while overseas and started making them ourselves.”
Ms van de Berg said they started with a home delivery and pick-up service within the Dutch community before investing in a 1947 vintage caravan.
“Our first event was Dutch Kings Day on the 29th of April, 2018, at the Dutch Club in Greenacres,” she said.
“We love making people happy with our homemade desserts and ice-cream, and above all we love being part of the food truck company.”
Ms van de Berg said working with her husband has always been enjoyable and referred to them as “twins”.
“Lee always needed me as his assistant, in the food truck it is the other way round,” she said. “I get to be the boss and Lee helps me out.”
Freeze Dried Lab
Suburb: Ethelton
Who wouldn’t want to own their own lolly shop? Business couple Danna and Markus have made their dream become a reality, working from their Ethelton home.
“I would tell my husband all the time that all I wanted was to have my own lolly shop so with the drive and determination here we are,” Danna said.
Danna said about 18 months ago she walked into Markus’s lolly shop and was shocked to see he didn’t have any freeze-dried lollies.
“We both laughed at each other and here we are,” she said.
“After months and months of designing the logo and trying to find the right packaging, getting the temperatures right for all the different lollies, we were happy to finally start mass producing.”
The pair launched in December last year and have already hit the ground running with their products now available at Foodland Munno Para.
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