From wellness franchises to a shared love of gelato, Tony and Ethan are building a family business together at Gelatissimo Marion.
For Tony and his family, joining Gelatissimo was about more than finding their next business opportunity. It was about discovering a brand and product they genuinely loved, and creating an opportunity to build something together.
The family previously owned Endota Spa franchises before selling their businesses and embarking on a new chapter with Gelatissimo. Having fallen in love with the product and the brand, the move into gelato offered an exciting new direction for the family.
Today, Tony operates the Gelatissimo business alongside his son Ethan, with Tony’s wife Jody also playing an active role. Together, they have created a true family business, combining their individual strengths and experience to build their presence within the Gelatissimo network.
Their commitment and strong start have now been recognised, with Gelatissimo Marion taking home the Rookie of the Year Award at the recent Gelatissimo Franchise Conference.
A new business chapter, together
While the family brought valuable business ownership experience from their previous ventures, joining Gelatissimo meant embracing a new industry and learning the operational requirements of a gelato business.
The Rookie of the Year Award recognises franchisees who have been part of the network for between one and three years and have demonstrated exceptional performance, commitment and potential.
It celebrates those who have quickly established strong business foundations, demonstrated sound business acumen and embraced the systems and standards that underpin the Gelatissimo brand.
From operational compliance and customer service to consistency in store standards, Tony and Ethan have made a positive impression in a relatively short time.
Their family approach also brings an added dimension to the business, with Tony, Jody and Ethan working together towards a shared goal. Having a family team invested in the business creates an opportunity to combine experience, fresh perspectives and a common passion for what they do.
Recognising a promising start
For Tony and Ethan, the recognition is a fantastic milestone in their Gelatissimo journey and a reflection of the commitment they have brought to their new venture.
Their story is a great example of how franchising can create opportunities for experienced business owners to explore a new industry, follow a passion and build something meaningful together.
Congratulations to Tony, Ethan and Jody on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to following their journey as they continue to grow their family business with Gelatissimo.
