Real Talks with Tahlia Gabrielli
Being in the real estate industry for nearly 15 years and a business owner for over half of that time, Real Talks with Tahlia Gabrielli opens the door to conversations that matter.
Hear from exceptional people and business owners in the community who share a special connection to intention, people and purpose when it comes to business and success, and who are committed to learning, growing and evolving for the better.
Whether you’re navigating real estate, building a business, or striving for something bigger, this is a space for you.
Real Talks with Tahlia Gabrielli
#2 - Don Pratt
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Episode Two
“We’re all about the coffee, it’s what we do.”
Time for a Coffee Club catch up. In this episode, I’m shining the spotlight on local business owner Don from Confession Coffee House.
Welcome to Real Talks with Talia Gabrielli. Today I have a special guest, Don Pratt.
SPEAKER_01Hi there.
SPEAKER_00Thanks for joining me from Confession Coffee House. So we're going to go through a few questions now. So first off, tell me a little bit about yourself and your business.
SPEAKER_01Well, myself, so local born and bred, been self-employed in Mount Gambia in the community since the age of 21 when I started my first restaurant, Sorocurst restaurant. Of course, many years later down the track, I was fortunate enough with my partner Sam to create this. So this being Confessional Coffee House, sort of born out of uh me that we saw in Mount Gambia, it was a niche park being the coffee house park. So we sort of set ourselves a target of becoming more of a coffee venue. Um and the vibe that we see in the place, it's this was um sort of it came from our travels, Melbourne, Sydney, also New York. I was spending a lot of time in America. Yeah. Um, and we took all the bits and parts of the elements of the ones we loved, and we thought we could do this in Mefty India. It's great. So the idea was to bring something not just another cafe, we didn't want to go against other cafes that had, you know, uh restaurant style. We're all about the coffee, that's what we do, so welcome.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, Confession Coffee. Yeah, it's done an amazing job, amazing job. So take us back to the beginning. What was your career journey like, and how did Confession Coffee House grow into what it is today?
SPEAKER_01Well, it's a bit of a funny one. So we're actually a COVID baby. So we opened November 2020.
SPEAKER_00Yep.
SPEAKER_01Um got to open and then we'll shut down three days later, right in the middle of COVID. So our progression story became we opened and then we closed. Yeah. Uh luckily, three days after that closure, the state government decided that uh all those businesses that could adhere to the new COVID rules could reopen. Thanks to our window at the front. We were one of those businesses, so we got to reopen. They said we could reopen uh 12 a.m. Sunday morning. So we decided that we would open at 11.59 Saturday night and do a midnight open as our reopened. Wasn't sure if it was going to work, but we sort of put the feelers out and said, let's do a pajama party. Well, 10 minutes into that, 300 people turned up. We had the lineup around the corner. It was an absolute blast. We had the ambulance, we had the fire engine, we had the police out in front, all with our flashing lights. It was a pretty cool night. I reckon you were here as our court as well. Um, yeah, so that was how we sort of got going. Um and uh we sort of progressed into where we are today. Uh as we were shut down, our mansion from that point was that we would never close again. So, what we what we are now is we are the only cafe in Midgang that does not shut its doors. So we opened every day of the year, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday, everything. So once we got to reopen, we decided not to shut.
SPEAKER_00I love that. I love that. That is so good. I love that. And that is something that we're definitely you're known for because if you're like, where can I get coffee from? Everyone knows confession is open.
SPEAKER_01It's always here. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's great. Okay. Was there a specific moment where you realised, wow, this is actually working?
SPEAKER_01So if there was a specific moment, well, one of those obviously was the opening night when we uh realized that 300 people were happy to turn up at midnight in their pajamas for hot chocolates, and we were like, yeah, I think it's gonna work. Um but look, we we knew we felt that it was going to work, but I think in all honesty, you never know. Every day is a new day. Um so you're always striving for that next thing. But we knew it was gonna work when the the love we got from the Matt Yammy community right from the word go. So that's how we knew that you know what, we're in the right spot and we're in the right place.
SPEAKER_00So good. Yep. Why do you do what you do, and what is it that keeps you motivated every morning talking about mornings?
SPEAKER_01Okay, well, it's I do love the mornings. Uh what faces what keeps you motivated every morning? Well, the little ones, I know it's probably gonna sound cheesy, but it's it to me, it's who will I meet today, whether it's yeah a new local, whether it's people coming through. I just love showing this place off. Um, and I love pick seeing the reaction on Peep's face is when they realise. But it's the little window out the front to all this out the bang. So it's a pretty cool thing to come through every day, and I I'm here every morning, and uh it's a great, great space to hang out. So, yeah, for me, what keeps me going every day? Who will I meet today?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and I must say, like, this isn't a question, but you have a great energy all the time, like you know, especially in the mornings. So, you know, and that is you know something that does get noticed.
SPEAKER_01The other day, like just because the guy's sitting out the front, he'd been there for about half an hour, and he was a trading guy, and uh he came up to me uh after he was about to let you go. I've just got to start, I've got to tell you. He goes, Your energy is absolutely infection. So I've sat here and watched you serve everyone. This is like seven o'clock in the morning. I don't know where it comes from, but I feel like I want to go to work now. Yeah, so good.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so yeah, and it is notice. So, see, there you go. Awesome. Yeah, what is the one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
SPEAKER_01So if I'm gonna like one of the big things in business is that there are no guarantees, so every day is a new learning experience. But looking back on it now, the one thing I thought I'd be okay with, and I thought I can do all of this, and that was uh so the importance of having a good bookkeeper, a good person, shout out to Rolson by the way, who was an amazing bookkeeper. When I first opened, I thought I can do all of this. Yeah, it was the realization that to do all of this takes in a huge team, and the guys out the front who are serving you guys today are a massive part of that. But behind the scenes sort of thing, to keep the rule keep the wheels uh you know rolling, um, yeah, making sure that when you first start, don't try and do everything on your own.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, you need the back end and the front end. That's right. I'm the front end, I don't need to do the back end. Someone else can do that. Yeah, similarly, what is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self? What would you give to young Don?
SPEAKER_01My my main thing is don't be afraid to give it a go. Yeah. Um, don't be afraid to go big. Uh I think when I was younger, I started in business when I was 21 and I had a restaurant then, but I kept it small. I I didn't challenge myself. Um, and I think if you're gonna give it a go, go hard or go home. But uh yeah, so my advice to the younger person is if you've got an idea, run with it. There are no failures, there are tiny lessons.
SPEAKER_00So true. Okay, of all the wins and losses, what's the biggest lesson you've learned about running a business?
SPEAKER_01Uh the biggest lesson I've learned about running a business is it's a massive amount of work. Um, but you know, honestly, sort of going back to what we were saying before, the biggest lesson I've learned is that you're only as good as your last day. So when you think you're on top, there's tomorrow coming. What tomorrow brings, who knows? So see, see every day is a new day, and uh yeah.
SPEAKER_00So, okay, well, I think we both agree to this one. We love being part of this amazing community here in Mount Gambia. What is your favourite thing about our local community?
SPEAKER_01So, the favourite thing about our community, look, I've got to say, you know, from what the experience that we had when we first opened, my favourite thing about the Mt Gambia community is their generosity and their willingness to see people that want to have a go succeed.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um the the people that that come through our doors that keep coming back and always ask how's it going and whatnot. I think Matt Gambia's just a really given place. I love being part of the community here. Um and we love to give back because Mount Gambia is so given. So that's what I love about Mank Gambia. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Goes both ways. Yeah. Right, our final question. So what's next? What's next for confession?
SPEAKER_01Okay, what's next? Well, uh, we already have the sister store open in Adelaide. Yes. Uh that's now actually turned two Monday this morning.
SPEAKER_00And what is the name?
SPEAKER_01Little Attention Seeker. LAS, we're in the Beehive Corner right next to Haight's Chocolate. Um so we've got that one up and running. So our our main aim right now is to focus on building these two. Um, but the next step for us is the space that we're sitting in right now, Tails. This will turn into uh a new venue. Can't explain what that is right now, but that's a bit of a secret. Bit of a secret, bit of a secret, but uh so really I suppose now that Adelaide's up and running, two years in, uh it's a revamp of the premises here. So uh and then just consolidate the two and uh look to do more after that.
SPEAKER_00Exciting, exciting times ahead. Yes. Well, thank you so much, Don.
SPEAKER_01Thanks for having us. Thank you guys for organizing the Ray White Coffee Club Day. It's been an amazing day. I'm not sure if you realised, but you were gonna go for an hour, but your hundred coffees sold out in 43 minutes. Yeah, so you you smashed it, you did amazing, and thanks for being involved and thanks for the talk.
SPEAKER_00No worries, thank you. Cheers, tiles.