Central Coast’s top 10 exciting businesses reveal secrets to success
From a florist with a cafe offering the most epic toasties to inspired mums turning their creativity into careers, here are 10 exciting and inspiring businesses across the Central Coast.
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Business is booming once again across the Central Coast, whether it’s retail, the ever growing food scene or the trades and service industry.
A swag of new businesses has emerged while some that have been around for a few years have gone from strength to strength with exciting new developments.
Some began as mums working from home, while other savvy operators saw opportunities to chase their ultimate dreams – and succeeded.
Here are 10 of the top businesses that not only excite but inspire across the Central Coast.
Have It Franks Way
A combined florist and espresso bar with a distinct difference has emerged in North Gosford.
Narara’s Holly and Katherine Mercer opened Have it Franks Way in July and it has quickly become a must visit on the coast.
“We are a florist and espresso bar, the best of both worlds,” Holly said.
“Firstly we wanted to provide beautiful floristry for Gosford and free delivery for locals.
“We also wanted to offer North Gosford and the healthcare precinct a relaxing space to enjoy their breaks.
“We decided to offer online services as well to save them time.
“We also wanted to have a point of difference that would be a drawcard and an experience for locals – loaded croissants.”
She said loaded croissants had become a hit for food trucks across America so they ordered the machine that made the buttery squares of heaven.
The result – an unbelievable toastie made with buttery croissant pastry that melts in your mouth – filled with Nutella, custard or a savoury option.
While going about their business, another point of difference emerged with Have it Franks Way becoming known for its generous toasties and wraps.
“We wanted our neighbours to be able to afford to have lunch or a treat without breaking the bank,” Holly said.
The initial popular choices were the good old ham, cheese, tomato toastie and caesar wrap, however Have It Franks Way has become renowned for its toasties known as the Reuben – with pickles, sauerkraut and corned beef – as well as the Meatball Smash.
“We love being a part of the local community and we simply wanted to offer something a little different bringing both our worlds together,” Katherine said.
She said business had been booming lately, especially on the back of a shoutout from local “powerhouse” Cakes by Kyla on social media.
Stella Events
When Lauren Saunders threw a first birthday party for her daughter at a park in Sydney, she did not realise she was launching a new career.
“I had a heap of people ask me who had done the party,” she said.
“I thought ‘maybe I am okay at this’ so I decided to give it a crack.”
Stella Events was born as a result about five years ago and Mrs Saunders has not had time to look back, with almost all of her weekends booked out with first birthday parties, weddings, baby showers and other events.
“We moved to the Central Coast two years ago and the business has boomed with events in the Hunter Valley, Central Coast and Sydney,” she said.
The mother of four said there were not many event styling businesses on the coast, however she ran her business with a difference and offered “high end” style parties.
“We are different in that we do every element of an event,” she said.
“All of the props are custom painted and built so each party is individually designed.
“Customers start off by having a chat about their event and theme.
“From there we do a full design mock up and send them to the customer for approval.
“We install everything at the event location and pack it all away.”
The business has grown with Mrs Saunders now using a space in Wyong where she prepares her event props.
She said she could not sit still, also running kids sensory sessions from there with plans to offer the space for events and event packages next year.
“We’re aiming at first birthdays there with activities such as ball pits and slides,” she said.
Mrs Saunders said she enjoyed the “community vibe” of the industry, with a lot of other smaller businesses, many that started out as mums working from garages, coming together to support each other.
Sydney Oyster Farm Tours
Oyster farmer Sheridan Beaumont has created something truly unique which is attracting international attention.
The Sydney Oyster Farm offers “in water dining experience” with tables floating in the Hawkesbury River.
It came about after a number of challenging years for Ms Beaumont and her family, with floods, the pandemic and a fire burning down her family’s oyster shed last year.
“I think the ‘in water’ dining experience is the one thing that’s going to save the farm,” Mrs Beaumont said.
“It’s the best thing that has ever happened to us.”
The family-run oyster farm has been supplying oysters to the Sydney and regional NSW market for more than 15 years.
The new “Immerse Yourself” in-water experience is already attracting international visitors, with people dressing in fishing waders to sample succulent oysters while standing waist-deep in water.
“You learn a skill, information and have a unique dining experience with oysters prawns and champagne,” Ms Beaumont said.
LV Designs
Busy mum Tarlia Baker, of Killarney Vale, has been running LV Designs for six years from home.
Mrs Baker’s creative eye and passion for making personalised items inspired her to start the business with products ranging from laser cutting, to vinyl and heat-pressed items.
“I’ve always supported my husband’s roofing business and once we had children I felt like it was my turn to express my creativeness,” she said.
“I also wanted to stay at home longer with my little boy,” she said.
“I started my small business over six years ago and it has really taken off.
“I am now fortunate enough to work from home and choose the hours I work which I am so grateful for.”
Mrs Baker said her products suited a variety of customers and catered for every age group from families buying for their children to adults buying items for their weddings.
The company’s most popular product is personalised puzzles.
“Every product I make is personalised for the customer – they can choose wording, colours, fonts and more,” she said.
“I also have a quick turnaround time, customers don’t need to wait weeks and weeks for personalised items.
“It’s only the past three years I have expanded into laser cutting, cutting acrylic and timber.
“This is what I’m most passionate about, most customers have a vision in mind and I help them bring it to life.”
Mrs Baker said networking through social media had been a massive help for small businesses on the coast.
“Even on Facebook lots of mums ask for recommendations for different products and it’s often times local businesses on the coast get tagged and that’s where our pages gain exposure,” she said.
Central Coast Cannoli
Central Coast Cannoli began when the pandemic hit and, while there were challenges, the business is now conquering the coast.
It started at a home in Woongarrah and when things got “crazy busy”, owners Kathy and Carl Annetta opened a shopfront in Lisarow and expanded again in August, opening another premises in Long Jetty.
The Annettas previously worked in a supermarket and made the big move in early 2020, saying they were sick and tired of getting abused over toilet paper.
It had also been an Annetta dream to open a cannoli shop.
“We both resigned from our jobs and took a giant leap of faith,” Mrs Annetta said.
“We said ‘we’ve got to do something’ so decided to sell cannolis online.
“We committed $250 to buying ingredients and packaging and from there it just got too big.
“We have had support in so many ways and we have had a lot of help from our families.”
The Lisarow store opened in April 2020 and when the lockdowns came in, the shop diversified into takeaway Italian food.
The business still offers a range of Italian food but the main event is the 12 flavours of cannoli.
They have also cracked into the wedding and party industry making cannoli cakes.
Their secret?
“We make it all,” Mrs Annetta said. “It's not mass produced and all authentic recipes from Nonna.”
She said plans were, once Central Coast domination was reached, to expand north and eventually look at wholesale.
Chasing Tia Photography
Haylee Miller developed a passion for photography during her teens and enjoyed making a setting and capturing moments.
When Covid hit, Mrs Miller began putting time and effort into starting her own business.
“Even though it was such a chaotic and isolating time, I took it as an opportunity to learn more, have a vision and decide where I wanted to be,” she said. “I never looked back.”
Chasing Tia Photography launched in August 2020 and Mrs Miller said she owed her inspiration to her children.
“I always wanted to capture those special moments and wish I took more,” she said.
“As a parent, time flies and we always find ourselves behind the camera.
“I want to give other parents the opportunity to be present in those moments.
“Whether it’s a newborn session, maternity or wedding.
“We don’t get that time back, so capturing those details and bringing that experience together is what I strive for in every session.”
Mrs Miller said she put her “heart and soul” into every shoot.
“I’m so versatile when it comes to having a wide range of locations,” she said.
“I am not your typical photographer that tells my clients how to pose however I will guide when needed.
“I want to capture the special and raw moments so I always encourage them to have fun and engage with one another so I get those effortless shots that you can tell are filled with happiness and love.
“My aim is to ensure the authentic moments are captured so they can always be treasured.”
Mrs Miller said she enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and had made some incredible friends from photo shoots.
“I have struggled with the confidence of putting myself out there and I feel like my profession has encouraged me to come out of my shell and grow into the person I am today,” she said.
“Most of all though I really enjoy being a part of my clients special moments and big life events.”
Chasing Tia Photography offers any style of shoot from maternity, newborn, wedding day, birthdays or Mother’s Day and Christmas.
“I see so much love and happiness each day in my role and I wouldn’t change that for the world,” Mrs Miller said.
North Shore Timber and Hardware
Locals have been watching this unique construction come together with much interest on The Entrance Rd and it’s finally complete.
The leading Sydney timber merchant’s warehouse is 100 per cent renewable and made entirely out of Australian timber.
North Shore Timber & Hardware Erina is now open and showcasing 250 tonnes of Australian timber.
The site has used Australian engineered cross laminated and glue-laminated timber for the building as a fully renewable resource, including 30m timber roof spans which the business says is likely the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
This vision was initially put in motion by owners Keith and Heather Wilkinson, before Keith’s death in 2020.
General manager Geoff Wilkinson and director James Forrester have been able to bring Keith’s dream to life.
“After a long and at times extremely challenging build, it is fantastic to finally see the vision come into reality,” Mr Forrester said.
The build includes off-grid power, while the new warehouse is fitted with state-of-the-art timber racking as well as its full range of timber products.
Bump Central Coast
Wamberal’s Laura and Ross Lucas are the directors behind Bump Central Coast, having moved up from the northern beaches in 2021.
“We began the very first Bump in 2017 with our Dee Why Club, followed by the Central Coast Club in 2021, and have since begun our franchising journey, with locations set to open in Burleigh, Narellan, Mulvern and Newcastle,” Mrs Lucas said.
“Our business is a health and wellness space for women, specialising in pre and post natal training.
“We offer reformer pilates, barre, yoga, mat pilates, strength, boxing plus a creche.
“Our business is owned and run by parents, for parents.”
Mrs Lucas said having specialised in pre and post natal training and originally working out of a “big-box” gym, the couple realised personalised training and care for mums was lacking.
“There was no ‘one-stop shop’ where mums and mums-to-be could go and feel safe, supported and a part of a community, and thus Bump was born,” she said.
“Our community definitely sets us apart.
“We aren’t just a gym, we are more-so a community, a safe space where women and mums can come, meet other mums, train, have a coffee and spend time with their little ones.
“We even encourage our mums to come in and stay a while, utilising the showers and social areas to rest and have a moment to themselves.
“It’s been a great environment for newcomers too.
“It’s quite easy for those new to the coast to build a network and make friends with other like-minded women experiencing a similar life journey.”
The popularity of Bump has also exceeded expectations.
“Our classes are quite popular. We have 50 plus classes per week,” Mrs Lucas said.
“As a mum personally, having the ability to access free creche so that I can workout (and much needed me-time) was part of my daily schedule and the majority of our members are doing the same – hence why classes are pumping.”
The pair said they enjoyed the success stories and being able to help mums physically and mentally.
“The coast has been one of the most welcoming and friendly communities we have ever lived in,” Mrs Lucas said.
“Members in particular constantly thank us for bringing Bump to the coast.
“It feels like we’ve been here for a decade when in reality its only been 14 months.
“We feel very grateful to been surrounded by such welcoming and friendly people.”
The Lucky Bee
One of the most exciting and popular destination restaurants on the coast has moved.
The Lucky Bee, which specialises in modern Asian share plates, has farewelled Hardys Bay and found a new and improved home at ‘Galleria Ettalong’ on Ocean View Road where Osteria il Coccia used to operate.
The new space includes two dining rooms, two kitchens, undercover outdoor seating and most importantly the cocktail bar is double the size compared to their former premises.
“We’re surrounded by absolute legends in hospitality like Bar Toto, La Taco, Safran, Lords of Pour cafe, Yusu (a wonderful Japanese restaurant run by a beautiful family) and Gusto – a Northern Italian restaurant,” co-owner Rupert Noffs said.
“We’re across the street and only a four-minute walk to the ferry wharf which goes directly to Palm Beach and back.”
Since the announcement of the The Lucky Bee’s move, owners Noffs and Chef Matty Bennett had received a huge response.
“We’re in the right area now. This actually feels like home,” Noffs said.
“Chef Matty and Chef Drew will be serving all the signature dishes – plus some exciting new additions. Hoping to do a soft launch over Christmas and then have a big opening party in the New Year.”
Drifters Wharf
It’s been a year since the new owners took over the iconic Gosford waterfront site and they have kept their promise.
Owners Isaac Adele and Stephen Sewell, also the duo behind the popular Mumbo Jumbo’s Beachhouse at Terrigal and Shady Palms at Avoca, promised to open a venue ideal for major live entertainment acts – along with great food – and they have delivered.
Drifters Wharf has become a night-life hot spot in Gosford as a restaurant, cocktail bar and live music venue.
“Here our concert promoting and hospitality businesses have collided,” Mr Sewell said.
“It’s pretty special. A lot of people are used to going to the Enmore in Sydney but will now be able to see big acts here.”
Mr Sewell said he hoped the venue would attract more artists touring the country to stop on the Central Coast.
“Artists usually do Melbourne Sydney Brisbane with Newcastle and the Central Coast competing,” he said.
“We also want to have sit down theatre shows, dinner and comedy shows.”
The venue has already hosted major acts including Sneaky Sound System, Allday, Kate Ceberano, Richard Clapton, Spiderbait with American rock band Everclear and Melbourne’s Indie rockers British India announced for 2023.
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