BUSINESS PROFILE
Joyce Aimond BAKERS DELIGHT Growing up in India, Joyce Aimond recalls riding a motorbike past the Australian Embassy each day on her way to work. As she did so, she always felt drawn to the promise of this country's better lifestyle with more freedom and less corruption.
What do you enjoy most about having your own business? This store has been like a baby that I’ve raised for the past 23 years. What I love most is interacting with people and I’ve had a great team that have supported me, helping to make it all doable. I’ve also appreciated the flexibility this business has provided, particularly when my children were younger. What are the most challenging aspects of running your business? I employ over 30 staff, so the most difficult aspect is knowing that the buck stops with me as I’m responsible for a lot of people. With this business, there’s always something on my mind. What is something people mightn’t know about you? Coming from a third world country, I can’t bear to throw good food away. But one of the most challenging aspects of this business is working out how much bread to bake every day. Our product range has doubled since we started 23 years ago and we bake bread from 4am to 2pm every day of the week.
In 1995, Joyce, together with her young family, immigrated. With her husband’s background as a baker, the couple set out to find their own business. At the time, the Bakers Delight store in Lane Cove was up for sale. Joyce and her husband carefully checked out the business, observing the people and the vibe of the area as they drank coffee at the café next door. That was 23 years ago and Joyce is now the sole owner of this store, which produces 140 varieties of freshly baked bread products each day for its local customers. What attracted you to Lane Cove? We really liked the feel of the area as it was so family oriented. The shop itself was also in a great location in that it faces to the outside, so there’s plenty of fresh air and you feel part of everything that happens in the Plaza. What makes your Bakers Delight store different? We are very particular about product quality and customer service. We give 110% and although we mightn’t be able to please everyone, we do try. It’s the tender loving care – how we care for the dough, how it is mixed, how long it rests – which are important factors to getting the best end product. Our customers often ask why our bread tastes better than what they might have purchased from other stores. It’s because we follow all the steps without taking shortcuts. We’ve now won over 250 trophies and our bread has been awarded for its crumb structure, freshness, aroma and taste. In 2017 we won the bakery category of the North Shore Business Awards, which was a big achievement for us.
On any given night there could be anywhere from 10 – 18 bags filled with bread that didn’t sell. So I approached St Vincent de Paul and they have organised a roster. Local volunteers come and collect leftover bread and deliver it to Matthew Talbot Hostel in Woolloomooloo to help feed homeless people. How would you describe the current business environment? It’s certainly challenging at the moment. Our sales have fallen between 20 – 40% as a result of the Rosenthal development. Upgrade work around the Plaza also has a negative impact whenever that occurs. What’s your favourite Bakers Delight product? I can’t go past the Pane di casa toasted, spread with butter and enjoyed with a cup of tea! 4 words to describe Lane Cove? 1. Friendly 2. Community focussed 3. Caring 4. Welcoming TVO MARCH 2019 11
