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Gerri Schelini, The Tuscan Kitchen.

Victoria Woman Proves Family Business Success is in her Blood

The first time Gerri Schelini started work she was 13-years-old. "Work" was the family business, a well-known lingerie store launched by her great-grandmother in Victoria during the Depression. That experience marked Schelini's destiny in more ways than she imagined.

"Over dinner we would have time to talk about the business, and I guess I learned quite a bit by osmosis," Schelini said.

The family business ended up being sold, but there was no way Schelini was going to leave behind her retail roots. She started up her own garment business in Vancouver creating children's clothing for the high-end North American market. But in the late-1980s, illness struck and Schelini had to pack things in.

Once her health returned, Schelini's desire to build a business came back with a vengeance. By now she had moved her family back to Victoria and was looking to open a store in the quaint, yet exclusive, shopping district known as Mattick's Farm. Lingerie didn't seem like a good fit; neither did children's clothing. But that didn't deter Schelini. She decided to turn to one of her other great passions - Italian cooking - and The Tuscan Kitchen was born.

"I went looking for financing, but when I went to a few traditional lending institutions, I didn't have the collateral. It didn't matter what my husband's income was, or my business plan or business background."

Then a friend told Schelini about the Women's Enterprise Centre. She sent in an application and after refining her business plan she received a loan. It was a rigorous process, but Schelini said it was worth it.

"I'm so pleased when I look at my business plan now. We are doing exactly what we set out to do. Women's Enterprise Centre is a wonderful organization. We would not be in business today if not for Women's Enterprise Centre."

The Tuscan Kitchen quickly made its mark as the source for high-quality imported Italian ceramics. People flocked to the store to enjoy tasting fine balsamic vinegars, and bring home beautifully crafted serving dishes. It wasn't long before visitors asked for shipments to their homes around North America.

Two years later in 1997, Schelini brought her husband into the business and opened up a second store in downtown Victoria. She has since sold her first location and now Schelini and her husband focus their attention on the second store. They also returned to Women's Enterprise Centre for another loan, this time as partners.

"I was a little worried about that loan for the second store, because my husband was now working full-time as well and I wasn't sure if I would qualify. But the only thing Women's Enterprise Centre asked was that the woman maintain majority share. That meant a lot to me because really my business wouldn't be where it is today without my husband."

And spoken like a woman with a true appreciation for family traditions, Schelini said "It really is a family business, in the European style. And I like the idea of promoting family business. It's wonderful for me to carry this idea on."

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