Mandy Foley-Quin

CEO, Stedmans Hospitality Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award Winner 2009

Mandy Foley-Quin arrived in Australia in the early 80s. In 1985, as a single mother and with two business partners, she established Stedmans, a one-stop shop assuming all responsibility for staff, superannuation and payroll for hospitality personnel on behalf of its clients. It revolutionized the hospitality industry and is now the model for many other similar businesses. Mandy is a passionate believer in quality, and from the outset, she established strong internal training systems to ensure the quality and consistency of Stedmans service.

Stedmans is a successful and resilient business. It now employs over 1500 young people annually. In an industry where the service product is generic, Mandy has created a brand: Stedmans waiters have become the byword for top quality service, with a big profile in the lifestyle press. Mandy and her team have flown the flag for Australian hospitality at the Sydney, Athens, Torino and Beijing Olympic Games.

Not that the journey hasn’t been without its ups and downs. Asked what the defining moment of her career has been, Mandy will unflinchingly say, “Nearly losing my business.” Through hard work and innovation, she rebuilt the business and is now taking it in new directions with a film extras division, Q Casting, and a talent management agency, Smith and Jones, which supplies stars for shows such as Home and Away, Neighbours and All Saints.

Mandy, who lives in Sydney with her husband and three children, devotes much of her energy to ensuring young people enjoy the opportunities they deserve. When she isn’t developing the careers of the 1500 young people under her leadership, Mandy is also a tireless supporter of youth charities, especially the Sydney Children’s Hospital. All Stedmans staff-members give a day of their time for charity each year; Mandy in fact donates weeks of her own time. At Stedmans, corporate social responsibility is a tangible everyday part of the work environment.

If you had to list three attributes that you believe you need to succeed in business, what would they be?

You need an endless inner drive to keep you going through tough times, you need to be passionate about what you are trying to achieve and you must have a burning desire to succeed.

Do you have a vision for making sure that your company will last well into the future?

The basis of a good sound business that will last well into the future firstly comes from sound business practices and systems. You need to create a very strong Accounts Department. Don’t spend what you don’t have, and don’t borrow what you can’t afford to pay back. Make time for others and take time to talk to people so that you stay in touch with your business. Then take your business model and see if it will fit with other similar or complementary industries so that you are able to diversify your business therefore spreading the risks of running a business in tough times.

What is a defining moment in your career?

After nearly losing my business I made a pact with myself that if I was able to grow it again then I would make sure that I gave back to the community.

Finish the sentence: “If I was a glass of champagne...”

I would ensure that I captured not just the flavour of the grape itself but included the earth that it was grown in and the sun that made its life possible.

What words of advice would you give to someone starting their own business, especially in the current economic environment?

You must first of all believe in yourself and the business you want to create. Then make sure your business idea is financially viable. Try to make your business a cash flow positive enterprise so in times of down turn or adversity you will have room to move.