Gaelle Morival’s foray into the business world began with her love for French pastries and a desire to bring a slice of France to Perth. In October 2023, she purchased an existing café, French Resistance, which had already been operating for five years. Gaelle saw this as an opportunity to combine her passion for delicious French pastries with a solid business venture in the lively entertainment precinct of Northbridge.
Having first learned about the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and its free Business Advisory Services while searching online for assistance, Gaelle was looking for guidance on several aspects of running her new business, particularly in the areas of tax, Business Activity Statements (BAS), and payroll.
Gaelle got in touch with the SBDC and spoke with Senior Business Adviser, Ali Richards, who shared her knowledge built on a background in running hospitality businesses.
Gaelle explained "Ali’s past professional experience was very similar to my new business. She could relate and understand my situation."
This connection made the advice not only practical but also very reassuring for Gaelle as she navigated the complexities of her new venture. It also led to Gaelle enrolling in an SBDC workshop about using her payroll software, which she found extremely useful for managing her business.
The guidance Gaelle received from SBDC has had a significant impact on her confidence and approach to managing French Resistance. The reassurance provided by Ali empowered her to make informed decisions and plan the path forward with a sense of security.
"Knowing I have a reliable source of information and guidance has been important, with all the challenges of running a small business – paying staff and suppliers, ordering enough stock – all of it," said Gaelle.
Looking ahead, Gaelle is planning for sustainable and solid growth for French Resistance based on a solid foundation, with the aim of opening another patisserie in the future. She also has some sage words of advice for other entrepreneurs.
“If there's one thing I would tell other business owners, it would be to reach out to the SBDC. They provide invaluable advice and support... it calms you and helps you approach whatever situation you're facing with confidence."
More resources
If you are thinking about starting a small business like Gaelle and need some advice, there are plenty of resources available to you from the SBDC:
- Speak to one of our experienced advisers via our free Business Advisory service.
- Take advantage of our free Starting a Business workshop and other low cost workshops on topics such as Marketing and finance.
- Read about The 2 things every food business premises needs.
- Brush up on the new food safety standard.
- Discover the key factors to consider when buying a business.
- Join our private Facebook Group “I’m a small business owner in Western Australia” for online networking, tips and advice from 15,000 WA business owners.
