Metro Fresh Findon is a family run and operated business with Lily West Floral Designers located next door.
Jess shared with us some of her business learnings and experience participating in our Business Support Program.
Business Journey
Metro Fresh Findon has been committed to providing Adelaide families, local businesses and restaurants with premium fresh and tasty produce since 1989. Their aim is to provide the best quality produce along with great service and affordable prices.
Jess’ grandparents were market gardeners at Andrews Farm and her parents (Mum, Enza and Dad, Michael) are from the western suburbs.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Michael has always had a background of fruit and vegetables. He grew up working in local western suburbs and was then given an opportunity to take over a local store.
Jess reflects on what her parents grew the business to be - with continuous renovations, trying to improve and stay ahead of the times, and keep up with the current changing market.
“Our main focus is obviously providing really great produce that lasts a really long time with excellent service.”
Support Local
In a competitive market, the family believe their point of difference is that they're family-owned family operated and support the local community.
“We pride ourselves on supporting our local growers as much as we can and have really good relationships with our local suppliers and growers.”
Extensive Range and Services
Metro Fresh Findon aims to be a one-stop shop as well. Jess says, “You can come into us and grab everything you might need for dinner and the week! We hope that our customers come and get sort of the full circle experience from us.”
They stock a wide range of groceries, dairy products, condiments, small goods, gifts, ready-to-eat meals and more.
Lily West Floral Designers specialises in modern fresh flowers, arrangements, functions, corporate displays and weddings. Their boutique florist sub brand has been operating since 2014.
With such a diverse range of offerings, the Metropolitan Fresh team employ more than 50 staff including local school kids and the wider community.
Metro Fresh Findon is open and delivering seven days a week for both businesses.
With their online store now open you can now get the Metro Fresh Findon experience delivered right to your door. Their friendly and experienced staff will freshly hand pick your order and have it ready for pick up or delivery by their in-house courier with a refrigerated van.
“No order is too big or too small for us to handle and we look forward to meeting more of you as you get to experience our online service and what Metro Fresh Findon has to offer.”
Advice and Learnings
We asked Jess what advice she had for other business owners.
“Don't lose sight of your dreams because your dreams can become a reality.”
“It’s really important to stay on top of the market. We are always on the market floor, to understand what our customers are needing and try to keep up with the trends.”
“Keeping up to date on your social media is also a big one. It's just the way things go these days.”
Why Charles Sturt?
Metro Fresh Findon and Lily West accessed the Business Support Program to complete two separate projects, which ended up being connected.
“We worked closely with Twin Social, which was awesome. We built a really good rapport with them and now we're actually continuously working with them now on a paid level to build on the projects.”
Twin Social created a suite of image and video content, as they didn’t have much of a base to work with.
“They took some awesome photography shots for us, which was awesome. And then now on the second project, they've used that content to create social media content scheduling, ecommerce, and email marketing. This has been awesome for our business - it's really felt like it's taken it to the next level. Our Business Advisors have been awesome to work with and they make everything really easy.”
Jess says, “We didn't have a massive social media presence, any e-commerce or email marketing, so the Business Support Program has allowed us to tap into a different customer market, which we couldn’t have done before.”
“The Council and Twin Social were great to work with and we got lots of support, guidance and training to reach a new customer base and build on our current business model.”
Now Metro Fresh Findon is working with Twin Social to rebrand and freshen up their website.
What’s next?
As well as a refreshed website, there is so much more to come for their business.
Lily West has expanded into its own independent store in the vacant space next door, which means there will be some new and exciting renovations to Metro Fresh Findon.
You can find Metropolitan Fresh Findon at Shop 6, Findon Shopping Centre, 303 Grange Road, Findon, 5023.
You can visit their website and shop online here: https://www.metrofreshfindon.com.au/
Metropolitan Fresh Findon and Lily West accessed our Business Support Program to receive marketing expertise.
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Emma Grivell
Business Engagement Advisor - Urban Projects
E: egrivell@charlessturt.sa.gov.au