Panini Brothers
Panini Brothers knead their way through challenges
A true family operation, Panini Brothers bakery has been in business since December 2004. Originally Il Pane Di Roma, Pizza Di Napoli, Lisa and Anthony De Vizio's bakery places value on traditional recipes made with love.
A mechanic by trade, and co-owner of an apple and cherry orchard in the Adelaide Hills, Anthony began his journey with baking somewhat by chance as he went from selling fresh orchard produce to selling bread and pizzas. This led Anthony to teach himself the art of baking. 'I'm very proud of Anthony. Not knowing anything about baking, he learnt the craft, visited Italy to look at bakeries and is now very good at what he does,' Lisa said.
As a result of his new skills and passion, the De Vizio family opened Il Pane Di Roma, Pizza Di Napoli. A true seven-day operation complete with early starts and late nights, there have been ups and downs along the way. 'We started from scratch, and in the beginning, patronage wasn't very high,' Lisa explained. Without social media to help spread awareness, the bakery used word of mouth as an advertising means. A practice that emphasises the value they place on both creating products and serving customers with passion at the fore.
Another tool they employed was changing the business name to something more meaningful and ultimately, shorter. From there, Panini Brothers was born. As the parents of three young boys at the time of the name change and panini's translation in English being small roll, the De Vizio's three boys really are the Panini Brothers.
The icing on the cake
Serving wood oven style Italian breads, pizza, focaccias, continental cakes and of course, coffee, today the residents of Newton line up on the weekends for their slice of Panini Brothers gold. 'There's a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into running a business. And overcoming hardships is what makes the periods of success so worthwhile,' Lisa said.
One such hardship was starting three franchises during a period that later became known as the Global Financial Crisis. While such a turbulent time would have provided grounds to walk away, the family persevered. 'It was incredibly hard, and we could have easily thrown in the towel, but we've both been brought up to be strong. So, I became the director of the business,' Lisa explained, 'and we also changed a lot of practices too.'
Another strategy employed by the De Vizio family after folding up the three franchises was eliminating accounts. This means that everything was paid for as it happened. The result? 'The transparency meant that we actually knew where we were financially. Sometimes when you can only see things on paper, it distorts your perception,' Lisa said.
A family affair
Thanks to their unique mix of positivity and passion, along with their ability to adapt and change, today, Panini Brothers is truly living up to its name. Two of the De Vizio children, Stefan and Anton, are currently completing their baking apprenticeships at the bakery, meanwhile, youngest child Daniel provides help outside of school hours.
A true family business at the core, another secret to the bakery's success is the relationship cultivated over decades with customers. 'Our customers are beautiful people. We've been around a long time now, which means that we know people's names, their families and their stories,' Lisa said. The idea of providing people with fresh breads and cakes all baked on premises makes the long hours worth it.
With 35 staff responsible for keeping the bread fresh and the cake cabinets full, Lisa is the first to admit that 'Anthony and I can't do it on our own. We need a committed and driven team supporting us, and to have that is something we are really proud of,' she said.
The future tastes great
Another key to the success of Panini Brothers? Keeping one eye on the future. While bread never goes out of style, some cakes and key ingredients can be subject to trends. While keeping their finger on the pulse of customer wants and trying out new recipes, the team also trains an eye on future business opportunities. This is especially prudent when you consider that demand has never been higher.
'We're running out of space where we are, so we are looking at getting more equipment in as well,' Lisa said. For bakers, equipment and space are paramount. This is especially true for Panini Brothers as their products take time to not only cook but also, to prepare and rest.
Like other businesses, the De Vizio family are also conscious of rising economic pressures. As it stands, the cost of flour— a crucial everyday ingredient for a bakery— and electricity have risen. While still trying to run a business, knowing that customers are crucial to their success, Lisa explained that the bakery tries to absorb costs as much as possible and, where not tenable, prices are slightly raised. 'At the end of the day, I still think we are reasonably priced,' Lisa said.
This commitment to elevating the customer experience is made easier with the help of the Campbelltown City Council. While providing an excellent location for customers to visit, eat and drink, the council is committed to promoting local businesses. In the last year alone, Panini Brothers has been involved in the Flavours of Campbelltown Food Trail and the Campbelltown Pizza Festival, both popular council initiatives.
Working to showcase local entities and their variety of offerings, these events have opened up new markets for a variety of businesses. Something that Lisa and Anthony are grateful for, twofold. Today, such support sees patrons continue to frequent their small business. Tomorrow, it means that there is a successful foundation for their three boys to build upon should they choose to take over the family business.
Business tips
Lisa's tips for others in business:
- Believe in yourself: there will be good times and hard times.
- Be prepared to work hard because you've got to put in the hard yards.
- Do your homework by researching your industry, competitors and craft.
- Know that it will be hard in the beginning. Go in with your eyes wide open and with the right mindset.
- Spend your money wisely. Pay as you go, and don't be wasteful with products and equipment. If you can't afford to get something brand new, look at purchasing items second-hand.
If you’re looking for support in your business, consider starting or locating your business in Campbelltown City Council.