Best bar none

Creating your own business is a lengthy process, she says. “You start with a blank piece of paper with ‘business plan’ written at the top, then you think about the idea, name and logo and once you’ve got the logo, you think about the recipes and the product and once you’ve got the product, you think about how you’re going to sell that product in store and how you’re going to get people to make the product in an efficient way, and if you’ve only got 18 square metres of a kiosk then you think about how you’re going to fit these ingredients in there to create the variety that you need.”

Janine is living proof that the main ingredient for success is drive. She left school at 16 and travelled all over the world, working as everything from a cinema manager in Singapore to head stewardess on David Bowie’s yacht.

It was on a trip to America in the late 1990s with her husband, Jeff, where Janine first noticed the juice and smoothie fad – something that was not prominent in Australia at the time.

Upon returning to Australia, Janine obtained $250,000 from friends and savings to launch her next adventure.

Fifteen years on, Boost has more than 400 stores operating throughout Australia and overseas, making it one of the world’s largest juice bar franchises.

Janine helped build the first store from the ground up, doing everything from scrubbing the floors while managing profit and losses, taking the time to learn what worked and what didn’t before expanding to other towns, cities and countries.

She credits her success to her team and says their willingness to go above and beyond for the brand has made it the organisaation it is today.
“Obviously the success of the company depends on the people you have,” Janine says.

“We’re not necessarily after an enormous amount of experience, unless they’re a lawyer or accountant; what we’re looking for is that x-factor, that drive, the twinkle in their eye for wanting to achieve something great and their passion for being part of a dynamic, high-performing team.”

Part of her success has been building a team of positive people who provide service with a smile and are on first-name terms with their customers. Boost staff work out of small, music-filled locations – the Boost Juice bar – to offer a unique experience, something Janine credits for its success.

Challenges

While people are one of her brands’ biggest strengths, they can sometimes be one of its biggest weaknesses.

“Half the things that go wrong in your business are caused by a person not doing their role correctly or not focusing on the right things,” she says.

“If you are looking to create or expand your business, ensure you take enough time until you’re confident you’ve found the right person.”

Keeping an eye on staff to identify a wrong match early on is important, says Janine, as is the decision to dismiss them from your company if you believe they will be catastrophic to your brand.

“The amount of times I look back and go ‘I wish I did that earlier’ is a lot, because of the damage that they do. The most dangerous people are the ones who can talk the talk. You end up putting up with them longer because you don’t see the destruction until it’s too late.”

A word of advice

Janine Allis is seen as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.

She says the best thing people who want to be seen as successful can do is not let ego get in the way.

“Success and leadership will come if you just focus on the business, focus on the customer and never do things for the short- term.”

Planning well ahead will help prevent you from burning people along the way and ensure your reputation is upheld, she says.

“People who want to make their mark should remember it’s a long journey, not a sprint,” she says. “You may make less money along the way but it’ll be sustainable and a bigger bucket at the end if you do it the right way.”

According to Janine, organisation is essential when running a business and she makes sure she starts the week well-prepared.

“One of the things that I make sure I do every Sunday is clear up everything for the week because I need to start the week fresh,” she says. “If I don’t, I’m all out of sorts for a while.”

Holding staff accountable is also a must for people looking to have a successful business, Janine says.

“I’m a very big communicator and will make sure what I require is very clear. [My staff] do weekly work-in-progress reports so we know where we are, where I can help, where I can clear the freeway for them to achieve what they set out to achieve.”

Janine runs a tight ship and advises other leaders or aspiring entrepreneurs to do the same.

“I just want people to do what they say they’re going to do and deliver what they say they’re going to deliver,” she says.

“You tell me that you’re going to deliver at 3 o’clock, I don’t want it there at 3:01.”

Looking ahead

These days the mum of four feels most content waking up early for a spot of yoga and coffee, followed by a walk with husband Jeff and their dog.

She starts most mornings at 10, working on new campaigns, designs and products before finishing up around six.

Her goals for the future include continuing to develop innovative ideas, as well as mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs.

As one of the Sharks on Channel 10’s Shark Tank, she says her investments will continue to take up a lot of her time but are very gratifying.

On creating and running a business, Janine says hard work and determination will conquer all and bring great rewards.

“I think one of the great things about having your own business is you really do work your own hours.”

“What I love about my life now is that it’s got great highs and no lows.”