Edwina Kim and her partner, Jun, run a thriving brunch spot, Cafe Once Upon a Time, which Edwina founded with her parents, Me Kyung and Hyung Jong, 10 years ago.
A true family affair, they’ve since launched a second café – helmed by Edwina’s brother, Caleb. Opening an eatery in a quiet pocket of Sydney required courage and teamwork.
Taking the leap
“Before the café, my dad was a welder and my mum had a Korean restaurant in the city and experience in design and textiles,” says Edwina.
“I was studying vision science at university while working at Mum’s restaurant. Brunch and coffee were not our specialities so opening a café was a risk for us. But the opportunity to buy a shop in a great position opposite a train station in West Ryde, our local area, seemed like a great investment. Back then, there weren’t many cafés around; the area was pretty underdeveloped.”
Turning a dream into reality
“The site had been a pawn shop so there was a lot to do,” says Edwina. “Mum and Dad spent almost a year renovating it themselves, collecting décor and making it what it is today. I graduated from uni around the time the café opened but I couldn’t see myself working in science labs so I joined them in the business.”
Overcoming business challenges
“In hospitality, you never know what’s going to happen,” says Edwina. “Things stop working, staff don’t show up. And these days, the cost of everything – ingredients, gas and electricity – has increased so much.
“As a family, we help each other a lot. If something’s broken, my dad’s always there to fix it and Mum provides emotional support, even though they’re semi-retired now. Family always jumps in when we’re short on staff. We lean on each other.”
What I wish I’d known
One of Edwina’s most important lessons has been the value of stepping back. “In the beginning, the café was open from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week – including Christmas. It can be overwhelming. I’ve learnt to trust my staff so I can take two days off per week and holidays to avoid burnout. Time off enables me to run the café better.”