Dejan Andrevski is well known for running a convenience store with a difference.

Stocking an array of imported foods from the US and Europe, he started Bruce Super Convenience in 2017.

He is now looking to move from a bricks and mortar business to a full e-commerce model.

But how did someone who had three degrees, a foray in investment banking and years of tech start-up work decide he wanted to start a convenience store?

“My last tech start-up had wrapped up, my wife was pregnant and was like ‘please don’t do another tech start-up, we need consistent pay for the next few years’,” he laughed.

“I applied for a bunch of accounting jobs, and went to some interviews, but it just didn’t feel right.

“I saw an ad for this shop that was being sold and I joked with my wife that maybe I could start a shop.

“Later than night, the spreadsheets were out, and I started thinking, maybe this could actually work,” he said. “I wanted to go out on my own and prove to myself I could do this, without financial backers, and that if it was a success, it was me and if it failed, it was me.”

It was a success. Dejan’s shop has become well known across Canberra. It even made the Daily Mail this year for stocking imported Biscoff Easter eggs.

But Dejan’s business reached a tipping point.

“A new development across the street from our store broke ground three years ago. It was going to include a big supermarket, so we started looking at how we could continue to stay on the front foot, and to be honest, stay in business,” he said.

Dejan had an investment partner on board. He made an offer to operate the supermarket and began looking at floor plans and fit outs for the new premises.

However, things took a turn, and the space was bought out by another buyer. It went for almost double the price, which meant Dejan was no longer able to open in the new development.

“This was only six months ago,” Dejan said. “It was difficult, but we’ve had to adjust and look at how to move forward.”

That’s when he reached out to the Canberra Business Advice and Support Service (CBASS).

He wanted to look at how they might further expand their online following and move their store to a full e-commerce offering.

“Candice and Anna from CBASS have such a great perspective on business. They’ve been in the game a long time and are very practical. They get you to look at hard business targets, but also offer a different, new and measured perspective,” he said.

“It’s made me ask questions of my business and myself, that I wouldn’t normally, and they’ve been a great support as we transition the business.”

The ACT Government funds the CBASS program. It offers emerging, new and established businesses in Canberra up to four hours of free business advice.

With years of industry experience, Anna and Candice are a well of business knowledge.

“I think a lot of business owners in Canberra can benefit from their support,” Dejan said. “Especially new business owners who don’t know where to start.”

On Sunday 19 May, Dejan officially closed the Bruce shopfront. People lined up for up to three hours to buy their speciality snacks and imported goodies.

“Our next goal is to focus on recreating the revenue we created in store, online,” Dejan said.

“We’re also looking at how we can diversify and move into the wholesale market for the imported products we’re bringing in.”

You can visit Dejan’s online store to view the selection of speciality and imported snacks and goodies.

If you’re looking for business support – whether you’re new to business or just starting out – contact CBASS to find out more.

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