Before she took over the Sleepy’s franchise at Hopper’s Crossing, Jenny Anthony held a high profile position with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). 

After searching high and low for a franchise that would allow her to devote sufficient time to both work and family commitments, Jenny found bedding retailer Sleepy’s.

Tell us a little about your work life before becoming a franchisee. 
Before becoming a Sleepy’s franchisee I had a successful career with the ATO. I was acting director of Individual Non-Business when I left to have my second child.

When I returned to the role part-time, I realised it was simply too demanding to achieve the work/life balance I desired.

What brought you to invest in a franchise?
I had been job hunting for something closer to home when I heard about the Sleepy’s franchise opportunity through a friend.

With the interpersonal and management skills I had developed at the ATO behind me I knew I would be well suited to a retail environment.

What’s more, the flexibility and convenience of running my own business near to where I live and where my children go to school was hugely appealing. 

Why did you choose this brand in particular?
Sleepy’s is a successful, established franchisor so I knew I’d be well supported. As a smaller retailer I also recognised that I’d be able to provide a personal service to customers, spending time on a sale rather than having to manage a huge team and be on top of hundreds of items of stock.

It was also very reasonable when it came to set-up costs – the initial investment was certainly not prohibitive.

What skills did you bring to the business?
Having risen through the ranks at the ATO I’ve learned how to manage upwards and downwards, and have developed strong communication and interpersonal skills. This is essential when talking to customers and identifying their needs.  

I’ve also played national league basketball which has taught me how much can be achieved through strong teamwork and a desire for success.

What has been the biggest challenge as a franchisee in a new field?
Moving from a role within a large organisation to running my own business was a big leap and wasn’t without its challenges. 

I went from overseeing more than 300 people at the ATO to working within a much smaller team, which took some adapting to.

On the flip side, having less people to manage meant I was able to spend more time planning how to grow the business, which has played a significant role in my success to date. 

How has the franchisor helped you gain confidence in your business?
Sleepy’s head office has offered me a huge amount of support from the moment I joined the network. Most helpful for me was the provision of a comprehensive business guide to follow. As I had no experience in running my own business, this was critical.

They also give me plenty of ideas on how to grow the business and provide continuous training.

What will you do with this business and your new-found skills?
I am setting my sights on the short term for now and focusing on how to grow the business in a slower retail climate.