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Director of SleepOn Bedding Mr. Ramis Zeneli is an expert mattress maker as well as a property buyer. In early years even after losing hefty amounts in business he never resented his decisions, instead he went on working, expanding his mattress business and buying buildings every two years. He says “only buy, never sell a brick that you have bought”. More about him and his business in the interview.
Q. How did you start your business?
Mr Ramis : After I came to Australia initially it was quite tough for me as I didn’t know English, it took me 6 months to learn English, after that I started off with my mattress business with a single shop. Now my company Sleep On Bedding has been running for 30 years having shops in several locations in Melbourne. During this time I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and information on mattress quality, how a mattress type suits a particular body type, how a mattress suits sleeping posture, the comfort level of a mattress to a particular body posture and mattress designs.
I have worked hard to bring our company to this position over the years. Now I have a big factory with around 60 workers working for me.
Q. What are the other things that interest you ?
Mr Ramis : Well the real estate market interests me the most, so I buy buildings. I buy buildings every two years. Business is in my blood, I have learnt from the Jewish businessmen that it’s worth investing money in buildings and bricks. Also I support students from India and SriLanka, I offer them jobs or recommend them to other business owners of my fraternity. My connections give me the privilege to help young people.
Q. So when you came into this country what were the challenges you faced?
Mr Ramis : Challenges are brought in by Chinese brands, they are killing the market selling their inferior quality products very cheap. We cannot sell such low quality products. Customer satisfaction and after sales service is of utmost importance to us. A purchase from our store will ensure you get the correct bedding you need in your sleep.
Q. So how different is the real estate property market right now from the time you were buying buildings
Mr Ramis : There is too much difference, the real estate is very expensive right now. At the time when I bought buildings everybody marked me stupid. During the 80’s the buildings were sold at a very low price. Now the market has hiked up but all these years I have bought a number of buildings and it’s a good amount of assets that I have made now.
Q. So what is in plan for your business down the years
Mr Ramis : Nowadays I open at 10 in the morning and close by 5 in the evening. I have less interest in working for myself. I have been working for a long time, working too hard to earn what I have. Now I want to have fun, to go around, and roam the world. Also I want to support young people in their journey to make a living and settle down. Business is going on good, we have the resources to open a few more stores in Melbourne. In my leisure I invest, my children invest in stocks and shares, I suggest them to invest in gold, silver and new inventions
Q. Advice that you want to give to young people who wants to enter the business
Mr Ramis : If you want to enter the business, first you have to take care of the customer satisfaction. You have to provide the perfect comfort at the best price to remain in the market. Mattress is not something that is bought every year, so when a customer comes in the seller must know about the personal requirement of the customer and customise the mattress.
