Sometimes the best business ideas come from the most unexpected places. For teachers Matt and Shannon Jellie, it was a simple question from a student that changed everything.
After more than 20 years of teaching business management at King’s College, Matt found himself in an interesting position when one of his students asked if he’d ever actually run his own business. “I’ve taught the theory of it but never actually run one. So that started me thinking,” he recalls.
That question was the spark that led the couple down an entirely new path – one that would see them become proud FIX ‘N’ CHIPS franchise owners.
The Perfect Opportunity
The timing couldn’t have been better. Through a conversation with a relative in the building industry, Matt and Shannon learned about a growing demand for surface repair services. People were looking for professionals who could fix chips, scratches, and dents on bathroom and kitchen surfaces without the expense of full replacements.
Enter FIX ‘N’ CHIPS – an Australian business started about two decades ago, coincidentally also by a teacher. With now 15+ franchisees across Victoria and expansion into Tasmania and Queensland, the Jellies saw an opportunity to serve the south-west region of Victoria.
Why FIX ‘N’ CHIPS Made Sense
For Shannon, a STEM and woodwork teacher, the appeal was immediate. “The thing I like about it is you’re not ripping stuff out, you’re repairing what you have already got,” she explains. This philosophy aligned perfectly with their values and the current economic climate.
“With the cost of living crisis, people can’t afford to get into new houses but it’s a nice way to revamp what you’ve got,” Shannon notes. This practical approach to home improvement resonated strongly with the couple, who understood the financial pressures many families face today.
Skills That Transferred Perfectly
Shannon discovered that her new business venture was putting classroom theory into real-world practice. As a STEM and woodwork teacher working with year 7 and 8 students, she already had many of the practical skills needed for surface repairs.
The couple’s experience with renovation projects over recent years – from houses to caravans – had also given them valuable hands-on experience that would prove invaluable in their new venture.
The Perfect Work-Life Balance
One of the biggest advantages of the FIX ‘N’ CHIPS franchise was how it fit around their existing teaching careers. Both working part-time, Matt and Shannon could juggle the business on their days off, creating the perfect work-life balance.
Their service focuses on helping clients repair accidental damage for a lot less time, money and hassle than replacing it. Matt and Shannon can help home owners, tenants, real estate agents, aged care facilities, insurance builders, trades and volume home builders, just to name a few, with fixing chips, scratches, dents, and abrasions on floor and wall tiles, sinks, shower basins, stone and laminated benchtops, floorboards, cupboards, and even aluminum window and door frames.
“It’s about managing expectations,” Matt explains. “We try and get as close to 100 per cent as we can.”
Ready to Serve
After comprehensive training on a range of professional repair products and techniques, Matt and Shannon are ready to help homeowners across south-west Victoria breathe new life into their homes without breaking the bank.
Their journey from classroom educators to business owners proves that it’s never too late to turn theory into practice – and sometimes all it takes is one thoughtful question from a student to set you on an entirely new path.
So if you have a damaged bath, kitchen or bathroom bench, cabinet, basin/vanity, shower base, tile, engineered flooring, aluminium window or sliding door, or even a brick – and you want to get a free quote on getting this repaired for a lot less than replacement – Matt and Shannon Jellie are here to help.
Matt and Shannon offer kitchen and bathroom repairs in Warrnambool and covering the surrounding area including Portland, Heywood, Digby, Hamilton, Mortlake, Terang, Camperdown, Cobden and even Colac. They live just outside Warrnambool and can travel as a mobile chip repairer.
To find out if your damage is repairable and for a free quote, get in touch today.
You can read more about Matt and Shannon’s inspiring journey in their feature article in The Standard, Warrnambool’s local newspaper.
