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G.J. Gardner HOMES C O F F S
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In 2006, aged in their 20s, Rick and Susan Fischer took on the opportunity to become G.J. Gardner Homes’ youngest franchisees. PASSIONATE AND DEDICATED TO THE G.J. BRAND, together they successfully ran the Clarence Valley business for six years, before taking on an opportunity to also acquire the Coffs Harbour franchise in 2012.
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espite running a busy business and raising a family with three children, these gogetters continue to reach new and greater heights and proudly hang numerous awards on their walls, including the recent award for Contract Houses under $450,000 at the 2019 Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence in Building Awards. How long have you been living in the Coffs community? Rick and Susan first lived in Coffs when they were in their early 20s. Rick was a contract carpenter to another wellknown and respected builder on the Coffs Coast, and Susan worked as a real estate salesperson for a local agency. They married, built their own first home and started their family in Coffs during this time. Just after their first baby, Hayley, was born, Rick was offered the role as Construction Manager for G.J. Gardner Homes in Grafton, so they relocated to Grafton for the G.J. role and to be closer to family while the kids
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were young. They were levels for hockey and then offered to purchase surf lifesaving, as well IN BUSINESS, THERE WILL the G.J. Grafton business, as many other school ALWAYS BE CHALLENGES making them the sports. They love the TO OVERCOME, AND OUR youngest G.J. franchisees coastal lifestyle on APPROACH IS ALWAYS TO in the G.J. family. Rick the Coffs Coast and BE OPEN, HONEST, TO and Susan owned and are often out surfing ADDRESS ISSUES QUICKLY operated G.J. Gardner before school and AND KEEP EVERYONE Homes Grafton for seven work. INFORMED OF PROJECT years, before jumping at The Fischer family STAGES AND PLANNING. the opportunity to move have been building back to the Coffs Coast homes for over 150 in 2013. years, making Rick a “We love the Coffs Coast; it is such a fifth generation builder. Rick’s first memories beautiful part of the world, with so many are digging through his father’s shed or wonderful people that live here, we are so running around a display home. grateful to live on the Coffs Coast. Every Levi could be in line as a sixth generation time we travel away for either work or our builder if he chooses to follow that path; he family sporting trips, we are so excited to be has already shown interest in being a builder home, and it makes us realise how lucky we when he grows up, but we will have to wait are to live right here on the Coffs Coast,” and see where his future takes him, as he is shared Susan. only 11 years old. Tell us about your family … Or, perhaps one of the girls will take up Rick and Susan have three children: the family business. There are plenty of Hayley, Breah and Levi, who all love their capable women in construction these days, sport and compete at state and national and Susan was recognised amongst peers as
a leader in the industry, winning the Master Builders 2018 Women in Building Award. What are some of the challenges experienced personally and in business? “There is always the challenge of work-life balance - the ability to manage a successful business while also maintaining a happy, healthy family,” shared Susan. “In business, there will always be challenges to overcome, and our approach is always to be open, honest, to address issues quickly and keep everyone informed of project stages and planning,” said Rick. What part of the business are you most proud of? “We are so proud of winning the Master Builders Contract Houses under $450,000 award and the great work that our team consistently produces. We are driven by an expectation of excellence and a desire to give personal attention to every detail of a home build. This award is a great recognition of us achieving our goals with our amazing team,” shared Rick. The G.J. Gardner Homes Coffs Coast team are proud to have received a range