Rax & Dollies

www.raxanddollies.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

Rax & Dollies offer an elite and focussed level of service and expertise to Australia's leading retailers, from some of the country's largest retailers through to the classiest boutiques. We offer a unique combination of friendly, flexible service and an inspiring range of mannequins and visual merchandising options featuring standard and custom retail display racks and shop fittings. We also have a dedicated business unit set up to cater for corporate retailers and visual merchandisers providing solutions for everything from standard retail necessities to custom projects and rollouts.

2. When and why did you start your business?

We started in January 2009, prior to that I was General Manager of a leading retail supplier, and my wife Kathi was corporate sales manager for the same company. We spotted an opportunity to devise a business model which combined the agility and service of a small company with the network, contacts and supply chain of a large company, and set about focusing on a niche where we felt the established leaders had become complacent.

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with of your business?

In the space of a year we have built up a substantial client list and have been profitable since day 1. We have competed against large established companies in the industry and not only held our own, but taken market share.

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Managing cashflow, assessing and managing opportunities for growth which present themselves.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

For our business, our most successful forms of advertising are face to face meetings with prospective clients, and word of mouth. We also exhibit at one industry related trade show, which is a costly investment, but generated some great leads and sales and new clients.

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

Some of the "standard" industry methods, particularly trade publications.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

We genuinely believe we are making a difference to our customers business, and we get a kick out of walking through various Westfield\'s or other malls and seeing our products on display.

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

I love the attitude of Virgin, and entrepreneurs in general always have inspiring stories. Duncan Bannatyne's story is one I relate to quite well, and I also enjoy Gerry Robinson, whose TV show I'll Show Them Who's Boss is one of my favourites.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

Year 2 for us is all about consolidating on the success of year one, and making sure our processes are better and more efficient. Right now, we are being besieged with opportunity, so at the moment we are faced with the question - do we want to be this big, or THAT big.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

A mistake is rarely disastrous - but never make the same mistake twice!

Visit us at: www.raxanddollies.com.au