Sherwin Djamil’s infectious approach to life shines through
SHERWIN Djamil is full of energy. The 35-year-old’s passion to help others shines through in his work. He owns nine Soul Origin stores and has not lost sight of his life’s mission to help others.
Parramatta
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SHERWIN Djamil is full of energy. The 35-year-old’s passion to help others shines through in his work.
He owns nine Soul Origin stores, two in Parramatta, and has introduced a number of corporate social responsibility initiatives in his store to contribute to his community.
He donates hundreds of salads and coffees to Western Sydney Homeless Connect and his staff choose to donate their tips to sponsor children through World Vision.
This year his stores are supporting the Starlight Foundation. The franchise has pledged to raise $100,000 for the charity this year.
“They’re the little ways we’re contributing and we want to give more,” Mr Djamil said.
The barista by trade, like many in the western world, wanted to own a business and be his own boss.
An old school friend connected him with Soul Origin. He worked in all four of its stores, learning the ropes, before he was given the opportunity to open his own.
The Westfield Parramatta level store opened in 2013. It was Soul Origin’s 30th. He set a goal to open five stores in five years. He surpassed that pretty quickly and set a more ambitious target of 10.
As it stands, Mr Djamil has nine stores as the five years nears, including the two Westfield Parramatta stores. He is content. “I like to think I chose Soul Origin but I think Soul Origin chose me,” he said.
“I don’t see myself as a businessman but I am a busy man.
“I like to connect with people. Coffee was my channel but I’ve zoomed out now and my business is my connection with customers.”
The father of four grew up in Bonnyrigg, spent 10 years in Maroubra then moved to Hurstville but he has plans to move to Parramatta.
He said they hadn’t reinvented the wheel at Soul Origin but had introduced simple things like lowering the glass to engage with customers and putting the food “in people’s faces”.
“I love the interaction when a person walks by, pulls up the hand brake and pulls a U-ey (U-turn),” he said.
Even his application process for those wanting a job in his stores is a little different.
A resume is often handed over the counter. “All of my staff can take a resume, I just ask them to “feel” the person,” he said.
There’s an interview sheet, potential employees fill out. It explores what they feel, what they believe in, their strengths and weaknesses.
“There is no wrong answer. I’m looking for people with a great attitude who want to grow.
When they’ve filled that out, there’s a one-minute standing interview with our store manager and a trial to see them in action. We ask them how they think they went and what they can improve.”
If they pass, they face Mr Djamil for a final interview.
“And, it’s equivalent to my daughter bringing a boy home,” he said.