Dejan founded Bruce Super Convenience in 2017.
Deyan Andreevskiy is known for running an unconventional convenience store.
He founded Bruce Super Convenience in 2017, stocking a wide range of imported foods from the US and Europe.
He is now considering transitioning from a brick-and-mortar business to a fully e-commerce model.
But why would someone with three degrees, investment banking experience, and years of experience working at tech startups decide to start a convenience store?
“My last tech startup had closed, my wife was pregnant and I was like, 'No more tech startups, I need a steady income for the next few years,'” he laughed.
“I applied and interviewed for a lot of accounting jobs, but something just didn't feel right.
“I saw an advert saying the shop was for sale and joked with my wife that maybe I should start a shop.
“Late at night, I finished the spreadsheet and started thinking, this might actually work,” he said. “I wanted to go it alone and prove to myself that I could do this without funding, and that if I succeeded, it was on me, and if I failed, it was on me.”
It's been a success; Dejan's shop has become famous across Canberra, even being featured in the Daily Mail this year for its imported Biscoff Easter eggs.
But Deyan's business reached a turning point.
“A new development opened opposite our store three years ago, it was going to have a large supermarket, so we started thinking about how we could get ahead of it and, quite frankly, stay in business,” he said.
Dejan had an investment partner who offered to operate the supermarket, and they began working on floor plans and fixtures for the new store.
But things changed and the space was bought by another buyer and sold for nearly double the price, preventing Dejan from opening a store in the new development.
“This was only six months ago,” Deyan said. “It was difficult, but we had to adapt and find a way to move forward.”
That's when he contacted the Canberra Business Advice and Support Service (CBASS).
He wanted to further expand his online following and explore ways to transition his store to a full e-commerce offering.
“Candace and Anna at CBASS have a great perspective on business. They've been in the industry for many years and are very hands-on. They not only bring focus to tough business goals, but also provide a different, fresh and measured perspective,” he said.
“It made me question my business and myself in ways I wouldn't normally. They've been a huge support as we transitioned our business.”
The ACT Government is funding the CBASS program, which provides up to four hours of free business advice to start-ups, new businesses and existing businesses in Canberra.
With years of industry experience, Anna and Candice are a wealth of business knowledge.
“I think a lot of business owners in Canberra could benefit from their support,” Dejan said, “especially new business owners who don't know where to start.”
On Sunday, May 19, Dejan officially closed his Bruce storefront after people lined up for up to three hours to buy specialty snacks and imported foods.
“Our next goal is to focus on replicating the revenue we generate in our stores online,” DeJean said.
“We are also looking at ways to diversify our imported products and enter the wholesale market.”
Visit Dejan's online store to see a selection of local specialty and imported snacks and treats.
If you are looking for business support, whether you are new to business or have just started your own business, contact CBASS for more information.
To get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter.
