For Brent Metcalfe, the JAX Tyres & Auto business has always been a family affair. 

“My dad and two uncles are in the JAX system,” he says. “And now I own the business my father used to run!”

He had worked for about nine years in his father’s Penrith store before shifting to other roles within the auto sector. So when he was asked if he wanted to buy the same centre his dad owned, of course he was going to say yes.

But Brent admits the decision came with some trepidation.

“I was in a fairly comfortable financial position, had equity in property, which I had to put on the line, and with a wife and two small children it was daunting. It was a calculated risk, but that pressure made me more determined to succeed.”

Initially, Brent’s goal was to pay off the debt as quickly as possible, so he dedicated himself fully to the job.

“It was hard work but I had the support of my family,” he says.

And now the business is benefitting from a third generation of Metcalfes immersing themselves in the JAX Tyres & Auto world. 

Next generation gets involved

Brent’s eldest daughter Madison started work in the store at 18 and her younger sister Hayley is now joining the business at 19.

“They’ve been round the business their whole life, they would come after school, and they know what happens in the store. It was fairly easy for them to slot in to a full time role.”

It also helps the sisters are avid car fans and keen on 4-wheel driving.

“I always say to 4-wheel drive customers, if you want to talk about wheels and suspension, speak to my girls, they’ll do a phenomenal job,” Brent says.

“They’ve got a certain style about them, they take the job seriously and they hold their own in the auto world.”

Husband and wife team open second store

For Janette and Steve Fisher, owners of two franchises in Queensland, working as a family is also second-nature.

A hairdresser and teacher by trade, Janette and Steve shifted from their careers to entrepreneurship, wanting to do something for themselves. They have run multiple businesses over the years, from service stations to bedding.

In 2019 the couple bought the Aspley JAX Tyres & Auto store.

“It is the best brand within the industry,” Janette says. “It’s a needs-based business, and we knew we could get in and work the needs and wants of the customers. 

“I really enjoy that aspect; I love building the rapport with the customer base, I love troubleshooting. There are lots of variables in mechanics, and I admit I was a little bit frightened at first. But then I remembered it’s a product with solutions I could master,” she says.

Mid-January Janette and Steve purchased a second location, in Mitchelton. With one centre strong in tyre sales, and the other drawing more revenue from mechanic services, the goal is to strengthen the weaker side of each business. 

Communication is key to business partnership

Leading multiple businesses is a familiar task for the entrepreneurial pair and Janette says the couple manage the business by playing to their strengths and weaknesses – she loves the people aspect, Steve is brilliant with admin.

The key to a successful business partnership is open communication, Janette says.

“It’s important to communicate well. Every business has its struggles but we have each other’s backs. We always make decisions jointly.

“We love working with each other and seeing our plans come together.”

Now Steve and Janette’s autistic teenage son is doing work experience at the business.

“He’s answering the phones, and building confidence. We can see how he’s growing, and that’s the best thing,” Janette says.

For Brent and his wife Nicole, who works in the back office doing payroll, good communication is also crucial to a successful family business.

“We’re very open and honest, and we all love each other,” Brent says. 

Family has your back, says franchisee

“Of course there is a ranking, mum and dad are at the top! But Madison has her own house, and Hayley is only home a few nights a week so it’s nice that we work together,” he adds.

As effectively a third-generation business with JAX Tyres & Auto, the Metcalfes are also multi-generational.

Nicole’s father is also involved in the business – job sharing with other seniors to do the gofer jobs – collecting vehicles from dealerships, tyres from distribution centres, handling stocks, doing a scrap metal run.

Yet having family at work never causes friction, says Brent. 

“It’s good to know you have people around who you can trust,” he says.

A strong and supportive team at JAX Tyres & Auto head office backs the family support and commitment. 

“They have our best interests at heart. This is not a passive income business model. You need to spend a lot of time in your business, and you need good people around you.

“The brand innovates, and we have a great offer to clients. We are a one-stop-shop, we have quite a lot of strings in our bow,” he says.

Pictured, top: from left, Nicole, Hayley, Madison and Brent Metcalfe. 

Pictured above: Janette Fisher.