When Ingrid and Stewart Alexander arrived in Western Australia in 1990 from the UK, they were looking for a fresh start. What they found was an opportunity that would give them and their children a solid future.

It all began when they bought an existing Bedshed store in suburban Armadale.

Today, whilst that store no longer exists, they have grown their footprint from a single store into a successful multi-site operation now managed by their two sons.

Ingrid and Stewart’s journey is testament to the Bedshed business model, the strong support from the franchisor, and the resilience of two ambitious individuals.

Just six months into their business ownership, the pair’s capacity to bounce back from adversity was severely tested when their store burned down in an arson attack.

“Next morning a team from central office was on the site alongside us. The landlord had premises we could use, so Bedshed’s central office organised other stores and suppliers to help us out and we were up and running in a week,” Ingrid says.

This immediate, hands-on support impressed the pair and cemented their belief in the franchise. 

Selling, buying back, and scaling the business

With a major obstacle overcome, the couple forged ahead with the business, and in 1994 sold their Armadale store and bought a larger, better-located store in Morley.

When Stewart turned 60 in 2007 he was keen to retire; the couple sold the business, but remained involved in the Bedshed group, providing holiday relief cover for other franchisees. It wasn’t long however before they were offered the chance to buy back the store. And they snapped it up, keen to involve their sons Simon, a workshop controller at Mitsubishi, and David, an IT professional.

“We didn’t want to take it on by ourselves,” Ingrid explains, “and our sons were happy to step up.”

With the sons on board, the family’s growth strategy accelerated. In 2011, they seized the opportunity to establish a new store in Malaga, strategically positioning themselves alongside other big-box retailers. 

Ingrid then project-managed a relocation and refit of the Morley store, followed by the fourth fit out of her career when they opened a new store in Ellenbrook in November 2025.

The business now operates in three thriving locations, with the sons managing the day-to-day operations.

While both spend time in store, David harnesses his technical skills to manage the computer systems, bookwork, and administration while Simon focuses on the practical, customer-facing side of the business.

Bedshed’s collaborative approach

Ingrid says the family’s retail strategy, honed over three decades, focuses on breadth and value. It’s about having an excellent product range, rather than competing on price, she says.

“If merchandise looks cheap, customers won’t buy it. They look for good value for money.”

Ingrid believes a major factor in the family’s success has been the collaborative environment fostered by the Bedshed franchisor. 

The brand has a transparent system which enables franchisees to have a direct say in product decisions; Ingrid has served on the Merchandise Advisory Committee and now her son David is on the Committee.

“The brand is in four states around Australia and franchisees elect their state merchandise representatives. It’s a good way to work because everybody has a say in what product is going on the floor. It’s not a guessing game, it is very strategic and uniform,” she explains.

Bedshed also organises regular overseas buying trips. As the group continues to grow, its buying power is increasing, she points out.

“I’ve done at least 20 of these trips; we meet other franchisees, we see product, it’s very enjoyable,” she adds.

Family’s retail strategy delivers

Delivering excellent customer service has reaped rewards, including a customer excellence award based on strong Google reviews for the Malaga store.

“We get on well with customers; it’s simple, but being polite is important. We prioritse sorting out customer issues quickly, avoiding unnecessary drama. When you deliver excellent customer service, you attract more customers.

“It’s not easy running a business but it’s rewarding. You can get an adrenaline rush when you are selling,” she reveals.

“Buying this business was pure luck. You don’t necessarily need to know the industry, you need a passion to learn. And that suited us,” Ingrid says.

“We liked being our own boss, and we enjoyed the flexibility that came with it.”

While Stewart has finally retired to enjoy his wood-turning passion, and Ingrid now focuses on bookkeeping, volunteering, and her love for Korean TV dramas, the family legacy continues through the couple’s sons. They have built a durable Bedshed business that is spanning the generations.