Seeking support from others can bolster your business through shared experience and sound advice
A MENTORING relationship has made “a phenomenal difference” to the success of an Adelaide cafe.
Small Business
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Zoi Kokoti describes entering the Telstra Business Awards as one of the best things she and partner Stephen Lowery ever did. Their Eire Café won the 2014 South Australian Start-up Award (now the New Business Award) and there was an unexpected bonus: a mentoring relationship that has made “a phenomenal difference” in their ongoing success.
At the time the pair had never had a mentor but were keen to find one. They met Anthony Kittel, CEO of REDARC, during the state finals and got to know him and his wife Michelle as the two businesses moved through the national stage. There, the Kittels’ achievement in turning a struggling electronics company into an innovative, high quality manufacturer was recognised when REDARC was named both 2014 Telstra Medium Business of the Year and overall 2014 Telstra Australian Business of the Year.
A friendship grew between the couples. “Anthony could see our drive and energy and I think he liked that,” says Zoi. Indeed he did. “They’re very ambitious people with big goals, which is great,” he says. “Through my experience building up our business over 20 years from a small company of eight to 150 people I could, without taking away any of their enthusiasm, give them some sound advice about making sure they build checkpoints along the way to ensure they’re not growing too quickly or over-extending themselves.”
On the face of it the two businesses seem very different but, says Zoi, “fundamentally the same principles apply: you have to try to make money, you have to manage your cash-flow, deal with staff and you have to grow your footprint. The product might be different, your market may be different, but the foundations are the same. Anthony could see that there were issues we were struggling with, particularly around our process and getting some direction on expanding, and he was able to really help with that, including putting us in touch with his contacts. He is one amazing individual and we’ve been extremely fortunate that he has taken the time to help us.”
Anthony has long recognised the importance of mentoring in his own business life: “I set up an independent advisory board who have been with me now for nearly 11 years. I’m also part of a CEO group which is a very good mentoring platform.” A mentor is, he says, “a sounding board, an integrity check and a signpost. Not so much telling you what to do, just offering guidance. We’re all busy people but if you can give someone 30 or 60 minutes of your time it can be valuable.”
Stephen and Zoi now have three cafes and a custom-pie manufacturing arm. Based on their own mentoring experience, “serial entrepreneur” Zoi even created a business called the Global Local which offers start-ups support and training utilising virtual reality.
Meanwhile, the relationship with Anthony and Michelle has evolved into friendship. But, Zoi says, “Anthony also drives us. Sometimes it’s in jest and sometimes it’s serious but it keeps us on track and keeps us moving forward. Being an entrepreneur is hard. There are lots of long hours, lots of ups and downs, and no-one really understands you unless they own their own business. To have someone like Anthony you can chew the fat with is really important. It gives you motivation; you feel like you’re not alone.”
This News Corp Australia article is published here in partnership with Telstra for the 2017 Telstra Business Awards
Originally published as Seeking support from others can bolster your business through shared experience and sound advice
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