Chadi Issa
The Coffee Emporium, Rouse Hill Town Centre, New South Wales

“I was nervous at first-a little known brand in a new shopping centre-but I knew the coffee was great and had seen the success of the other stores. So I decided to go ahead and haven't looked back since. It was the best decision I ever made!”

Chadi had worked as a casual at a number of coffee shops over the years in addition to his “day job” as a Sales Rep with a major clothing retailer and always wanted to have his own business. The Coffee Emporium gave him that chance and he opened his store at Rouse Hill in March 2008.

He saw the opportunities that a smaller brand offered-particularly the opportunity for first choice sites. He is planning for his next store.

Bassam and Sonia Khoury
The Coffee Emporium, Westfield Bondi Junction, Bondi Junction. New South Wales

“The guys at The Coffee Emporium are really proud of the quality of their coffee. That's what I first liked about the business and what I still like most about the business” said Bassam Khoury.

Bassam and Sonia opened their store at Westfield in Bondi Junction in December 2008, just in time for the Christmas rush. It was hectic at first but as Sonia says “The training before and after we opened set us up to serve great coffee to our many customers from the first day we opened.”

Sonia likes serving and getting to know her many customers plus with a young family, the flexibility of having her own business.