Client Story: Stirling Variety Meats

May 3, 2023

Husband and wife team Giselle and Chris Pfitzner are the founders and owners of Stirling Variety Meats, a retail butcher shop established in 2014. The couple found a true niche in the market by offering a non-carton, ‘paddock to plate’ service: They break down and manufacture every product for sale, including smoking and curing their own ham and bacon.

Chris has always managed the retail side of the business, while Giselle concentrates on the finances and administration. They’ve experienced steady growth in their sales over the last seven years and now have a team of eight employees.

Recently, the mall where their retail store is located in Stirling underwent extensive renovations, which created new opportunities for the business.

“The renovation was a big milestone for us, because it offered an opportunity to be relocated further into the mall so our shop front could be extended, and this expanded the product range we can have on display,” says Chris.

Challenges along the way

Over the years, the couple has faced a wide variety of challenges such as COVID, managing a business while raising a young family, and recently, a loss of stock due to major storms and power outages.

However, one ongoing challenge has been contending with constant ups and downs in product prices.

“Due to high fluctuations in beef and lamb prices, we not only have to have great product knowledge, but we also need to be able to manage costings and prices every week,” explains Giselle.

Another constant challenge has been finding and hiring qualified staff.

“The butchery trade is slowly losing tradespeople,” says Chris, “It’s not offered as a trade skill at school level, even though to become qualified, an apprenticeship is needed.”

Yet despite these difficulties, the business has grown and developed a loyal clientele.

“We believe the business has been successful because of the great customer service we offer,” says Giselle. “We strive to be approachable, and we and all our staff members take pride in making customers feel at ease with any questions that they have.”

When asked about their advice for other entrepreneurs, the couple advises staying true to your vision and direction.

“There will be so many times when you’ll compare your business to others and be tempted to get off track, but stick to it,” says Giselle. “Focus on your own vision and journey.”

Oreon’s role in the business journey

Chris and Giselle first became clients of Oreon Partners in 2016, when their previous accountant retired. Since that time, Partner Jess Telford and her team have assisted the couple in areas including weekly bookkeeping and weekly payroll, monthly management reporting, annual financial statements, tax returns, and converting over to Xero from their previous software.

Also, now that Chris and Giselle’s kids are older, Oreon has helped Giselle set up a second business as a personal trainer, which she can do around the needs of the butcher shop.

“Taking over the bookkeeping and payroll from Giselle so she could focus more on her PT business and introducing monthly management reporting have been the best things we’ve done for them,” says Jess.

Giselle says Oreon has always offered great help and advice – especially when the shop changed over to Xero – as well as an outstanding level of communication.

“Whenever I’ve had a question or query, the Oreon team have always responded promptly and professionally,” says Giselle. “There have been many times when I’ve emailed over the weekend – not expecting a reply until the following week – and someone has gotten back to me.”

Future of the business

The couple is currently working on expanding their product range for the future and improving their online marketing presence.

“We’re expanding our range of smoked products and are updating the website,” explains Chris.
“We want to make it more user-friendly and have an area where we can have all our products on display. Also, we’d like to have a bigger and better social media presence moving forward.”

To learn more about Stirling Variety Meats, visit their website or Facebook page.