The 26-year-old Greek Australian lawyer Gina Cerasiotis, her 22-year-old sister Eden, her 26-year-old partner Kyle Galloway and her sister’s 24-year-old partner Jimmy Petrakis, took their first steps as owners of a car wash business called “SSC Car Wash” in Oakleigh.
“It’s more like a way to socialize, I don’t see it as work” said the young Greek Australian to Neos Kosmos. She enjoys helping on the weekends and maintains her practice as a lawyer.
Jimmy came up with the idea, he wanted to try something different. Something that would allow him to break free from physically demanding and ungodly early morning hours of a plumber. The 24-year-old Jimmy whose parents are from Crete and Ithaca, was able to follow a different path, as he runs the car wash business as a full-time manager, while the rest will help with the new family business and keep their existing jobs.
“Yeah, that wouldn’t be a bad idea” was Kyle’s response to Jimmy’s text. And then the four agreed to embark on this business journey together.
“They warn you not to mix family with business, we actually work really well together” said the 26-year-old Greek Australian Gina. He dad is from Sparta and mum from Limnos.
The good prices, the quality service, the friendly atmosphere, and hospitality are reasons they have become popular with people from Oakleigh and other areas to get their cars washed.
“We go above and beyond for our clients” said Kyle and Gina.
The young entrepreneur from New South Wales, said that there was anxiety at the beginning, particularly if it was the right decision. He now has a feeling of achievement, and says it is rewarding.
“I will soon learn how to make Greek coffee” laughs Kyle, the fomer AFL player, and only non- Greek in the gang of four.
The couple aspire to expand their business and talk about opening a café in Oakleigh.
Given the core clients are Greeks, Kyle hopes to expand together his Greek vocabulary, as he adds that he speaks a few words but promises to learn more.