I want to select a Mentor that can help with...
Would you like to book with Tony?
Tony De Stefano
With broad expertise in both small and large retail, businesses ,Tony De Stefano helps businesses achieve strategic growth and operational improvements. Specialising in food retailing ,safety and customer service, Tony ensures SMEs excel through precise financial oversight and optimised management practices. His numerous mentoring sessions—spanning over 1265 clients and 15 years —demonstrate his dedication to guiding businesses in overcoming challenges and realising sustainable growth.
Skills:
- Finance-
- HR-
- Management-
- Marketing-
- Sales-
Industries:
- Retail trade-
- Tourism, hospitality, accommodation and food services-
- Wholesale trade-
- Rental, hiring and real estate services-
Spoken Languages:
- Italian-
State: Victoria
Primary Locations:
- Melbourne CBD-
- Melbourne East-
- Melbourne North-
- Melbourne South-
- Melbourne West-
Locations by request:
- Mornington Peninsula-
- ( I visit Somers at least monthly and happy to meet clients on the Mornington Peninsula .)
Mentoring available by:
- In Person, Face to Face in (Victoria) or by Phone and online
Current Occupation:
Mentor to well over 300 small businesses in metropolitan and regional Victoria.
Detailed CV:
Tony De Stefano’s career began in retail, where he spent 42 years managing large businesses for Safeway / Woolworths , gaining valuable insights into the daily operational challenges that both small and large business owners face. His early exposure to running small and large business firsthand gave Tony a deep appreciation for the practical aspects of customer service, inventory management, and staff leadership. This foundational experience set the stage for a successful career in business management and mentoring.
In the 1980s, Tony was involved in establishing a large restaurant on the Gold Coast, further honing his skills in hospitality management. His success in the food industry extended beyond restaurant operations to other business ventures, including involvement in international trade, involving the export of commodities such as sugar, wheat, and coal and iron ore to markets in China, Indonesia, and India. This broad experience has made Tony a valuable mentor, particularly for food-related businesses seeking to streamline their operations and enhance profitability.
In addition to his experience in hospitality and trade, Tony has managed a large shopping centre in Melbourne and been involved in a renowned coffee roasting business, supplying both retail and wholesale customers. His hands-on experience in retail management and product distribution allows him to help small business owners identify areas for operational improvement, increase customer engagement, and drive sales growth.
Today, Tony mentors over 300 small businesses in metropolitan and regional Victoria, providing them with actionable advice to improve efficiency, meet compliance standards, and boost sales and profitability. His qualifications in Productivity and Work Improvement, Food Safety, and Management from Monash University reinforce his ability to guide businesses through the complexities of growth and operational challenges. Tony’s practical, results-focused approach ensures that business owners receive the strategic insights they need to succeed in competitive markets.
Qualifications:
- Certificate in Productivity and Work Improvement, Monash University
- Certificate in Food Safety
- Certificate in Management, Monash University
.png){kind=spacer}
