From teen staff member to owner: Newcomb local celebrates four years at the helm of beloved Lenard's store

Newcomb local, Samantha O'Neill has come full circle, celebrating four years as the Lenard's Newcomb franchise owner after having worked for the store's previous owners for more than ten years.

"I have been in the Lenard's system on-and-off for 15 years," said Samantha.

"When the owners sold the Lenard's Newcomb franchise in 2013, I worked in other jobs including as a beauty therapist, having completed my schooling while working full-time at Lenard's.

"In 2015, the previous owners whom I worked for took over the Newcomb store again, and I worked two jobs fulfilling my beauty career and working at Lenard's."

In November 2018, the opportunity arose for Samantha to take over Lenard's Newcomb as the store's franchisee, and feeling she had what it took to operate the store, she decided to take the plunge.

Things haven't always been smooth sailing though, when in July 2019, Samantha discovered she was pregnant with her first child.

"Shocked and wondering how I was going to operate the store and be a new Mum, I asked Matt, who had worked for the previous owners, to join my team as the store manager," said Samantha.

"My baby, Violet was born in April 2020, right as the Covid pandemic hit.

"Challenging is an understatement but we got through it!"

In May 2021, Samantha's second child, Oscar was born and she found herself juggling two young children and running the business, however, Samantha credits the relationships she has built with her team as fuelling her passion to keep pushing forward.

"I have an excellent team who have the same values as I do," said Samantha.

“I really enjoy training and educating my young staff, building strong work ethic in them for when they move on to new jobs and careers.”

Samantha grew up in the area, and has known many customers from her days working at Lenard's as a teenager, and also from her previous work at a local hair salon.

“I tend to talk a lot when I’m in store, building relationships with our customers.”

“They always like to know how you and your family are doing, I love it!”

Samantha and the team stock the entire Lenard's meat range in their display cabinet, and if they don’t have a certain product a customer is anticipating, they will always try and make it up for them.

“There are a lot of Lenard's products from over the years," said Samantha.

“Our products are all hand-made fresh in store, from quality ingredients and chicken.

“Nothing is brought in or made off-site, it's the difference and what we love.

"Our most popular products are probably Chicken Kiev and Schnitzels, they're simply the best,"

When it comes to Samantha's favourite Lenard's products, it's like choosing between children - she simply can't choose!

"I have many favourite products, from Curry Pillows, Mac and Cheese, Italian Pinwheels, Kievs, Herb and Garlic Patties - I can't decide!

"As a side with most, I serve steamed vegetables and some sort of potato dish."

And as with any successful small business, Samantha is continually searching for new ways to evolve to continue offering the ultimate in satisfaction and convenience to her customers.

"We offer click and collect, Menulog and we're about to introduce Afterpay, so that's very exciting!, said Samantha.
 
Lenard's Newcomb is located at Shop 13, 59 Bellarine Hwy, Geelong, Victoria.

Lenard’s Background
 
Lenard's is a food franchisor started in 1987 in Sunnybank Hills, Brisbane.
 
Founded by owner, Lenard Poulter, Lenard's Chicken's handmade chicken products utilise premium, locally-sourced, and naturally delicious ingredients.
 
Made with 100% Australian healthy barn-raised chickens, with no added hormones or steroids; Lenard's is proudly Australian-owned.
 
A leader in the fresh food marketplace, Lenard's can be found at select locally-owned stores and 310 independent supermarkets around Australia.
 
With a recent partnership with Australia's leading wholesale distribution and marketing company, Metcash, their reach continues to grow in order to give customers the classics they know and love.
 
For more information about Lenard's, please visit: https://www.lenards.com.au.
 
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Lenard's Newcomb franchisee, Samantha O'Neill and team