FRUITFUL ENDEAVOUR

Young mum finds life balance with a fruit juice brand

A young mum has found a true life balance, running two franchise outlets for a

juice brand while caring for her two young children.

Mother-of-two Jenna Elkordi loves juice so much it has played a major role in her life, and now she juggles ownership of not just one, but two Top Juice stores. Before this, she worked for the company for two years, gaining insights into what owning an outlet might be like.

“I loved the company from the beginning,” she says. “The support from head office makes everything possible. Top Juice supports its team, which means I can balance my family life while owning my own business.”

After she opened her Top Juice store in Miranda Westfield in New South Wales, an expansion of the mall gave her the opportunity to invest in a second store.

“With the first store being successful and profitable, I thought. ‘What better time to take my career to the next level as a franchisee?’.”

In terms of the challenges, Elkordi admits that motivating the teams is an ongoing learning curve, but she manages to run the stores as one with the help of a full-time manager.

“For me, it’s seamless to run two stores. I can alternate staff, lead both teams and physically run between both stores daily.”

She says support from head office is one of the benefits of being a franchisee. “I don't need to be running around sourcing my own stock. The warehouse does a daily delivery of stock so the staff can start setting up early.

TEAM EFFORT

“I'd say the most important thing for me would be getting the right staff members and having them trained up correctly so the pressure isn't all on me to be at the shops at all times.”

Elkordi works about 30 to 35 hours each week, often longer in summer. “I have a strong team that sets up the shops and closes at the end of the day. I'm usually working from 9am to 3pm, school hours, so I can drop and pick up kids from school.

“Having my own business works well for me with two children, aged six and seven. I can work hours that fit in with the family schedule.”

Elkordi would encourage anyone who has ever thought about franchisee ownership to give it a go. “I’m a mum of two and have made it work for my lifestyle. If I can do it, anyone can.”

Having my own business works well for me with two children, aged six and seven. I can work hours that fit in with the family

schedule.