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After brainstorming business ideas with a mate one New Year’s Eve, Sam Carson found his true calling when he stumbled across the not-so-secret ingredient – the humble acai berry – that led to his success in creating delicious and affordable healthy food options.
Acai Brothers is Australia’s leading superfood bar franchise and has become internationally recognised for its innovation within the hospitality realm.
After opening and operating his first store in 2014, QUT alumnus Sam, alongside his business partner Ben, have grown their brand to over 20 stores nationally and have plans to expand internationally.
Sam shares how his time at QUT prepared him for the real world.
What motivated your decision to study Marketing at QUT?
I’ve always wanted to own my own business, which is why I chose to study a Bachelor of Business at QUT. Once I started the degree, I really liked the idea of finding out more about marketing as it is such an important pillar in running a business.
Can you tell us about starting Acai Brothers? How did you go from concept to setting up your own business?
It all started with the idea of spreading the word of health and wellness to the Australian community. One New Year’s Eve, Ben (now the other half of Acai Brothers) and I were brainstorming business ideas. We saw a spike in the United States when it came to superfoods and acai, and at the time there was not much going on in Australia.
The original idea was to put little bars in gyms throughout Australia, but with further research we decided to go in a different direction. We researched competitors, the industry itself, and we even collaborated with a raw chef for the menu. She helped develop our first ever superfood menu, which gave us a great framework to work off for the future. In short, research and development, passion and just going for it are the things that set us up in starting Acai Brothers.
What’s been your biggest success (and challenge) to date?
My biggest success so far has been growing a national business in such a short period of time and being innovators in our space.
As for my biggest challenge, it would have to be patience - as in not having enough of it!
You also co-founded another business. Can you tell us a little more about Insidr Media?
Insidr Media sparked because I have a huge passion for content creation. I love thinking of an idea and then producing it and seeing the end result. We created Insidr Media because there are so many companies in Australia that need help with online marketing, content strategy and management.
Myself along with my business partners, Sean and Casey, specialise in different areas. I handle business development and operations; Sean leads content creation; and Casey manages social strategy and management.
What would be your advice to new graduates?
Follow your passion and what you truly want to do with your life.