As this is my first ever Blog post! Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dean Auslender and I am the owner and operator of Sir John’s Gifts, a gift, home and kitchenware store on Carlisle Street, Balaclava in Melbourne.
Some background and details about me: I grew up in and around the homeware & gift industry, as my parents business was in importing, and growing up I spent my school holidays unloading containers, doing deliveries and going to trade shows. Even though my degree is in Building and Project Management, when finishing university I realised my true passion was business and in the things we sell today.
“I work hard, so you don’t have to”.
I love everything about retail (except disappointed and upset customers… very rare, but can happen). I am so passionate about filling my store with either new, modern and up and coming product ranges and brands. As well as buying the best possible specials at the very best possible prices and then passing that saving onto my customers. Plus never taking away from our strengths of having the best brands, the biggest ranges at the lowest possible prices in store at all times.
“Retail is Detail”
Retail as a business (In-store and Online) is not always easy. It’s competitive and tough at times, not to mention consumers are spoilt for choice with so many shops and industries to spend your hard earned dollars on. Sir John’s Gifts might be similar to other stores and businesses but we just do everything that little bit better. I drive my wife and staff crazy, and most of the time they want to kill me, but I pride myself on having a super clean, tidy, neat and full-looking store (front and back of house) 365 days a year.
For Sir John’s Gifts, passion must be paired with principles: being honest, ethical and reliable in every transaction, together with organisation, and how well we combine the commercial with the appealing, is the key to our success.
Sir John’s Gifts is my pride and joy. I am so proud of it in so many different ways. If you ever pop in and just want to grab a coffee with me, please do! It will be a pleasure to spend some time with you in my store.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, it was fun to write it.
Regards,
Dean Auslender