Flipping Cafes, Crafting Success: How Giorgina Venzin Shapes the Hospitality Scene

In this inspiring episode of Bean There Done That, Phillip Di Bella sits down with Giorgina Venzin, a dynamic hospitality entrepreneur, to discuss her journey from washing dishes at age 13 to owning multiple successful cafes by her early 30s. Giorgina shares valuable insights into the hard work, sacrifices, and creative vision that fuel her success. From her first venture, Pawpaw Café, to her innovative approach of flipping cafes like houses, Giorgina’s story reveals how passion, family support, and perseverance create the foundation for a thriving career in hospitality. Whether you're an aspiring business owner or simply love a good success story, this episode offers essential lessons in resilience, adaptability, and the importance of starting with strong foundations.

Key Topics and Themes:

• Early Foundations: Giorgina’s first job washing dishes at her father’s restaurant and how it shaped her work ethic.
• Entrepreneurial Journey: The launch of Pawpaw Café and how Giorgina adapted her father’s struggling venue into a profitable business.
• Learning on the Job: Insights into running lean operations, dealing with early challenges like customer reviews, and leveraging social media for growth.
• Creative Business Strategies: The innovative "cafe flipping" approach and how Giorgina expanded her business.
• Personal Growth: Giorgina’s evolving definition of success, focusing on holistic work-life balance and personal fulfilment.
• Mentorship and Leadership: The importance of building a supportive team, mentoring the next generation, and staying true to her values.

About Our Guest:

Giorgina Venzin is a Brisbane-based hospitality entrepreneur and the owner of multiple successful cafes, including the well-known Pawpaw Café. Starting her career at age 13 washing dishes at her father’s restaurant, Giorgina quickly developed a love for hospitality. Her innovative approach to business—flipping cafes like houses—has made her a respected figure in the industry. Giorgina is passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders, fostering team culture, and maintaining a work-life balance that includes time for creativity and personal fulfilment.

Key Takeaways:

• Start Early, Learn Everything: Giorgina’s story underscores the importance of starting with humble beginnings and learning the ropes from the ground up.
• Adapt and Innovate: From flipping cafes to using social media to grow her brand, Giorgina demonstrates the value of being adaptable and creative in business.
• Mentorship Matters: Giorgina attributes much of her success to the mentorship and support of her father, and she now seeks to mentor her own staff.
• Stay Relevant: Giorgina stresses the need for continuous innovation, whether through menu changes or unique marketing strategies, to keep her businesses thriving.
• Work-Life Balance: A more holistic approach to success includes personal growth, health, and making time for family and friends.

Links and Resources:

• Pawpaw Café
• Darvella Patisserie
• The Coffee Commune

Time-Stamped Key Points:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Bean There Done That and guest Giorgina Venzin.
• 01:40 – Giorgina's early days working at her father’s restaurant at age 13.
• 03:20 – The value of independence and the foundation of Giorgina’s work ethic.
• 05:20 – Pawpaw Café: How it all started and her father’s role in enabling her first venture.
• 07:20 – Managing early challenges: Running lean, dealing with customer feedback, and growing the brand through social media.
• 09:40 – Expanding the business: Giorgina’s journey to owning multiple cafes.
• 11:40 – Creativity in cafe flipp