Quentin and Lara Tumata invested in a NightOwl franchise at Charles Street, Townsville in April last year, and have recently acquired their second site, also in Townsville, at Deeragun Street. 

In the 21 years prior to investing, Quentin was involved in the sale of fast moving consumer goods, and worked for the likes of Coca Cola, Cadbury, Parmalat and Lion Dairy & Drinks. 

“I moved my way through various roles beginning my sales journey as a sales rep, and then progressing to a key account manager, then field management, then through to regional sales management roles,” he said.

Lara most recently spent her days raising the couple’s three young children, yet is now fully involved in the business. 

“I have been fortunate enough to have been able to stay at home to be with them while they were little,” she said.

“When our youngest just started grade one last year, I was able to return to work and join Quentin in our NightOwl adventure. Prior to having children, I worked as a legal secretary for 10 years.”

The pair believes the following traits make for a successful NightOwl franchisee:

• Someone who is enthusiastic and driven to achieve results.
• Someone who is genuinely interested in engaging with people, because after all we’re in the people’s business. If you love connecting with people and seeing them smile when they leave your store, then there’s a very good chance they’re going to come back.
• Someone who knows their strengths and what they enjoy doing and exploiting them in the business.
• If you enjoy a fast paced business with things happening and changing all the time, then this business is going to tick all your boxes.
• Someone who enjoys planning. Things don’t happen by chance. This system has all the sales programs in place however you still need to plan how you’re going to achieve the results you want to achieve.

There are four key goals the couple would like to achieve this year:  

• To continue to drive sales results in our business.
• To build a skilled team who clearly understand our expectations and standards.
• To engage sponsorship opportunities in our community and thereby build awareness of the NightOwl brand. 
• To continue to have fun with our team and customers.

They also hoped to acquire a second NightOwl franchise in 2014, a goal that has already been met. 

Quentin and Lara hope by achieving these goals they will enjoy the following:

• A return on our time invested in and on the business.
• A successful business that will give us more time to spend with our young family.
• A business for our kids should they choose to step into and continue it.
• Satisfied, happy customers that opt for our business as their store of choice.

Quentin and Lara wouldn’t do anything different if they had their time again, in fact they wish they’d invested in the brand earlier.

They advise prospective franchisees take the due diligence process seriously. “Do your research then follow this up by contacting the Night Owl head office to ask more insightful questions, then go out and have a look at some stores. From this alone you’ll get a good feel for it.”