Felipe Gama is the franchise owner of Sushi Sushi in Dunsborough, Western Australia, with a second store soon to open in Margaret River. Originally from Brazil, Felipe moved to Australia in 2018 to study cookery and built his career working in kitchens across Melbourne and regional WA.
Episode Timeline
- 0:00 – Introduction
- 0:45 – Felipe’s franchise journey beginnings — from Brazil to Australia
- 2:12 – Studying cookery in Australia and gaining qualifications
- 3:56 – Facing and overcoming early language barriers
- 4:34 – Favourite cuisine to cook and personal passion for Italian food
- 5:46 – Career progression after qualification and early experiences in Australian kitchens
- 6:48 – The transition from Victoria to Western Australia
- 8:51 – Working as a chef after relocating and running a kitchen for over two years
- 9:18 – Shifting from chef life to business ownership to align with family goals
- 11:03 – Discovering a gap in the market and finding the right franchise opportunity with Sushi Sushi
- 13:49 – Addressing stereotypes in sushi franchising and why passion matters more than background
- 15:27 – Overcoming the biggest challenges of starting a franchise business
- 16:36 – Deciding to expand with a second store
- 18:04 – Building management teams to balance growth and lifestyle
- 19:37 – Opportunities and challenges in regional markets
- 20:56 – Keys to local success with Sushi Sushi
- 22:33 – Wrap up
With years of experience as a chef, he developed a passion for fresh, high-quality food but also recognised the challenges of long hours and demanding shifts. When planning for a family, Felipe sought a business opportunity that aligned with his skills while allowing more balance and lifestyle flexibility.
Discovering Sushi Sushi provided the perfect fit. The franchise model offered structure, training, and support while giving him the chance to run his own business in a growing regional community. From overcoming early challenges with team building to engaging with locals through sponsorships and community ties, Felipe has embraced the role of business owner with enthusiasm.
Now preparing to expand into multi-store ownership, Felipe continues to combine his passion for food with the drive to build sustainable businesses rooted in both family and community.
