Understanding what the customer wants, capitalising on one of the best views Port Macquarie has to offer and maintaining quality food output, are keys to the success of Flynns Beach cafe, Sandbox.
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Those pointers will be integral when the business lines up in the StartUp Superstar category in the 2018 Mid North Coast regional business awards in September.
The dinner and presentation of awards is at Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges.
Trent and Latif took over the popular site from John Purnell in September 2017. Purno ran the popular kiosk for 34 years.
Latif said understanding the business as it was and getting to know the demographic they were attracting, were keys in formulating what is now Sandbox.
"From a start-up perspective it was important to understand what was required from us," Latif said.
"While we had to embrace all that comes with operating a kiosk - and we cater for 1500 people on the beach rather than a 40-seat cafe - we had to understand what was needed rather than what we wanted to do with the cafe.
"So it was important for us to continue to provide ice creams and soft drinks while also producing a high quality and consistent product.
So it was important for us to continue to provide ice creams and soft drinks while also producing a high quality and consistent product.
- Latif Ucdereli
"That is a real focus for us."
He said another key to the business success story is building a menu that suits the kitchen space and capabilities rather than what the business partners wanted to sell.
"It is a business focus rather than a love of owning a cafe," he added.
Mid North Coast NSW business chamber regional manager, Kellon Beard said the awards celebrate business excellence across a number of diverse areas in the region including manufacturing, education and health care services.
“These awards provide an exceptional opportunity to celebrate excellence in the local business community and showcase the success of our local businesses,” Mr Beard said.
“It is great to see so many businesses that are outstanding examples of the successful industries we have here on the Mid North Coast."
Finalists at the regional level comprise winners from local chamber awards from across the Mid-North Coast including MidCoast Chamber Business Awards, Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards, Macleay Valley Business Awards and the Sunny’s in Coffs Harbour.
Winners of the 2018 Mid North Coast Regional Business Awards will represent the Mid-North Coast at the NSW business chamber’s state business awards held in November in Sydney.
The gala dinner and awards presentation is on Friday September 14 at Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges.
The Port Macquarie-Hastings finalists include:
- Outstanding Young Employee - Angela Murphy, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie; Casey Kettle, Bundaleer Care Services, Wauchope
- Outstanding Young Entrepreneur - Holly Jackson, endota spa, Port Macquarie; Monique Muusers, Frankie's Travel, Port Macquarie
- Outstanding Business Leader - Stacey Morgan, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Small Business - Barbushco, Lorne; CS Mechanical Repairs & Services, Wauchope
- Excellence in Business - EIRE Constructions, Port Macquarie; MBC Recruitment, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Innovation - North Coast Commercial Doors, Wauchope; Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Export - Cassegrain Wines, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Sustainability - Barbushco, Lorne; Whalebone Wharf, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Social Enterprise - OCTEC, Port Macquarie
- StartUp Superstar - Sandbox, Port Macquarie
- Outstanding Employer of Choice - Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie; Majestic Cinemas, Port Macquarie
- Local Chamber of Commerce - Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce