Bedshed’s robust business model has proven the right option for accountants Jag and his wife Gagan Kaur.

The couple took out the brand’s top Franchisee of the Year accolade for 2024.

It’s been an interesting 10-year journey for the Bedshed franchisee, who kickstarted the Western Australian bedding retailer’s growth in ACT and New South Wales.

“We wanted a business opportunity that would provide us the freedom to be with our family in the evenings. My wife had experience in banking sales and business from Dubai, but we did not have any field experience in the furniture and bedding industry, we looked for a brand that would provide expertise and support,” says Jag.

The couple researched the established business model and even worked in a store to learn more about the business model, systems, and processes.

Bedshed was a brand new business for Canberra

Jag admits as cautious accountants they were initially anxious about the risk of starting with a brand unknown in the Canberra area.

“It was a big risk for us. But we thought, if we don’t take the risk, we won’t do anything – there’s always a risk in business.”

So Jag and Gagan decided to sign up with the premium retailer. They worked with the franchisor to find a suitable site, and opened the first Bedshed store within the region in 2015.

“We were involved with the build and then the fit-out. It all takes longer than you expect!” Jag says.

After the early excitement of opening their business the couple then found themselves facing some big obstacles. 

The first two to three years proved unexpectedly challenging, due to factors outside their control, Jag says. When a shopping centre hazard was uncovered within a few months of opening, they had to relocate and replace all their damaged stock.

And then just as the new store location was gaining traction, along came Covid.

“It was all quite stressful,” Jag reflects.

Building a resilient retail business

But after keeping the store open, and surviving the tough pandemic trading period, the pair showed that persistence pays off.

“We decided to give it a big push and invested more in advertising and social marketing,” Jag says.

“Business started picking up, things got easier, and we saw sales increases of 15 to 20 per cent each year. There’s a huge difference to our business now,” he adds. 

Jag reports the customer base has significantly increased, from more repeat business and customer referrals to friends and family.

The store has four full time staff, plus casuals, and Jag and Gagan take turns at being on the shop floor, according to their family commitments.

“Our kids are still in school so there are school events and activities to attend, and we work out each week who will go where. We couldn’t do this as employees. It’s been a great benefit of the Bedshed business that we have this flexibility,” Jag says.

Jag keeps a keen eye on what his more established competitors are doing and is thrilled the store is gaining ground.

Leadership and knowledge-sharing

He has also participated in overseas buying trips with the Bedshed group, and found the insights gained into manufacturing and local events useful.

“Understanding the concerns and processes makes it easier to communicate the product features and benefits to customers,” he says.

With a strong customer base and 10 years in, the franchisee couple can now look back at the strength of Bedshed’s support, and their own resilience and perseverance building a thriving business.

Jag believes his calm nature has helped him and Gagan overcome their challenges. 

“I think we have been through such a tough time, we know we can find a solution. That brings calm and composure. It’s about changing your perspective,” he says

Bedshed’s managing director Galvin Culmsee says calmness is a key component of Jag’s leadership.

“What is tremendous is that he not only brings the wisdom of his experience in the business to his own franchise and team, but he shares his knowledge to the wider and developing NSW franchise network, willingly sharing his knowledge with humility and clarity.”

Jag is happy to give back to the growing network of franchisees across New South Wales as the brand continues to expand and grow.

“There is only us in Canberra. The way the city is built we can’t have another store. There is one furniture hub, and all the brands are here. Adding a store somewhere else wouldn’t work,” he explains.

But there’s still plenty of potential to tap into within the local market.

Taking advantage of the benefits

“We are seeing lots of migration and new housing in Canberra, so there is scope to grow further,” he says.

For now, their resilience, overcoming the challenges of tough early years and building a business with a strong growth (in the top two nationally), has paid dividends.

The national franchise award for one. This awards all-around performance across sales, health and safety, and network growth, with feedback from suppliers in the mix.

The flexibility and financial rewards are other valuable benefits these 10-year-experienced Bedshed franchisees have enjoyed.

“It’s definitely been an advantage for our family to be a Bedshed business owner,” Jag says.