Local pet store soars above the rest

NORLANE’S Victorian Bird Company is one of the last independent pet stores operating in the region.

Specialising in birds and reptiles, the business offers expert animal advice, a significant selection of pet products and the largest range of reptiles and birds in Geelong.

What sets the business apart from its big-name competitors, owner Leigh Myers says, is its personalised approach, whether a customer is seeking assistance for a medical concern or trying to choose a pet that best suits their lifestyle.

This approach has fostered an environment in which both staff and customers know each other by name, and the birds the business sells return with their owners for visits.

“Having a 30-year retail background, I know how to treat customers,” Mr Myers said.

“The feedback we’re getting from the customers and the Google reviews are brilliant. The reptile side’s sitting at five stars and the birds are sitting at 4.6 [stars].”

He believes an important factor in the business’ ongoing success is its focus on what it knows and does well.

“All we do is birds and reptiles—that’s what we know, so that’s how we train our staff,” Mr Myers said.

“Whether it’s a budgie or a blue and gold macaw, or anything in between as far as size goes, it’s all the same care.

“The difference comes down to the size, talkability, the temperament, the personality of the different species — and that’s where we match it up to the client.”

This year, the business has been named a finalist in the Geelong Business Excellence Awards, sponsored by LBW Business + Wealth Advisors.

Both an “exciting” and “nerve-wracking” experience, Mr Myers said the awards process had already proved valuable for the growing business, offering a welcome opportunity to reassess the way it operates.

“Going through everything, it gave us an opportunity to relook at the business. One of the things we talked about was policies — I just reread all our policies and a couple of them needed a tweak,” he said.

Victorian Bird Company has had its eye on the awards since the business opened its doors just over two years ago and has since joined the Geelong Chamber of Commerce to make the most of all the networking opportunities available.

As a first-time entrant this year, Victorian Bird Company also took advantage of the Chamber’s submission review process.

“We’d love to win it — so would the 49 other entrants that are in it this year,” Myers said, laughing.

The winners of this year’s GBEAs will be crowned at a presentation event at Geelong Arts Centre on October 30. For tickets, head to gbea.com.au