Ep109 Gabriel Lawyer, Lounge Repair Guys, ACT (+) - franchise owner journey

Gabriel Lawyer is the franchise owner of Lounge Repair Guys in ACT, as well as a service coverage to other territories that stretches across key areas in New South Wales including the Mid North Coast, and Wollongong as well.   Originally from California, Gabriel moved to Australia in 2001 and began his career in a family café in Canberra before transitioning into national operations roles in the commercial furniture industry. It was through this experience that he first encountered Lounge Repair Guys as a service provider and eventually saw the business opportunity first hand.   In 2022, amid the uncertainty of the post-COVID period and motivated by a desire for family security and greater control over his future, Gabriel stepped away from corporate life and officially joined the Lounge Repair Guys network. Drawing from his deep understanding of furniture, logistics, and customer service, he now leads a growing team of technicians while managing the day-to-day operations alongside his wife.   From training new staff and expanding territory coverage to balancing work and family life, Gabriel brings a thoughtful, hands-on approach to running a service-based franchise. His story is one of steady growth, strategic thinking, and a clear focus on long-term stability for his business and his family.   0:00 Introduction 0:31 What do the Lounge Repair Guys do 0:54 A brief background on Gabriel 2:23 Moved to Australia in 2001, worked in the café, and learned Aussie culture along the way 3:27 How Gabriel moved from the family café to managing national furniture projects 5:20 Gabriel spent five years managing national furniture logistics, fulfilment, and after-sales operations across major commercial clients 6:14 Gabriel saw the vulnerability of the world in 2020 and made a move to secure a more stable future for his wife and four daughters 9:00 Training time varies depending on the person’s confidence, social and communication skills, or mechanical mindset like understanding recliner mechanisms 11:10 With furniture in every home and a growing demand for repairs, Gabriel saw real potential in Lounge Repair Guys 14:01 Day-to-day life in a family-run business with Gabriel tackling complex jobs and his wife managing everything behind the scenes 16:07 Even with experience, Gabriel had doubts but taking the leap into business in 20:22 proved worth it 18:12 As demand grew from corporate clients, Gabriel expanded from a one-man operation to hiring technicians across Coffs Harbour, Canberra, and Wollongong 20:02 Gabriel expands into new regions to boost brand visibility and serve corporate clients without needing to own the territory 21:07 Wrap Up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3n2efsmu Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/ac8vedst Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/39ab2fzw YouTube: https://youtu.be/8_Sv_XKA0s4