IB Woman
Issue No. 15 - February/March 2004
Balancing a Business Life
Nadia Minuzzo Larsen
Don’t suggest to Nadia Minuzzo Larsen that she had an advantage in business because she came from a wealthy family. Her rebuttal will be swift and uncompromising. Many children learn business dynamics from parents who are in business and Nadia Minuzzo was no exception. As a child she would accompany her father to building sites, and this gave her an interest in land—broking – so she started her first business at just 20 years of age.
‘I worked very hard,’ says Nadia. ‘I virtually had no life in my twenties but it taught me the value of hard work and the rewards that can bring. I guess I also felt that I had something to prove – to prove I could be successful on my own.’
Looking for a new challenge outside the property arena, Nadia became interested in franchises. She was looking for a franchise when she met John Larsen who, at the time, was working in marketing for an American firm based in the USA. Together, Nadia and John developed the Minuzzo Larsen Group which now owns two McDonald’s franchises, a Caltex Service Station and the Australian franchise for Cargroomers.
Nadia believes strongly in systems and processes. She developed all the systems by which the offices of the Minuzzo Larsen Group operate. ‘Systems have to be simple,’ she says. ‘I use colour coding and insist on minimal handling of documentation. Land broking taught me to think on my feet and be organised. I teach our staff about the importance of systems and communication. If you don’t know something ask, or find out.’
Organisation now extends to family life as Nadia was six months pregnant with their first child, Justin, when the Minuzzo Larsen Group acquired their first McDonald’s, and six months pregnant with their second child, Zoe, when they acquired their second McDonald’s.
‘Don’t even ask,’ laughs Nadia. ‘It was all unplanned but you have to react positively to the things that happen in your life.’
Whilst Nadia ad...
