Ethical butcher, Sam Canning, used to be a vegetarian … Now he runs six fancy butcher shops in Melbourne’s most affluent suburbs | #435

Sam Canning used to be a vegetarian. Now he’s one of Australia’s leading ethical butchers, running six very fancy butchers shops in Melbourne’s most affluent suburbs. His experience in ‘paddock-to-plate’ butcher-shops in the UK inspired him to open his first shop here in Australia - with a focus on animal welfare. In 2010, the first Cannings Butcher Shop was opened in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn. Now Sam has 6 shops (and let me tell ya, they’re not your average butcher’s shop) and he’s in the process of opening up two more. This rapid growth hasn’t come without some pain which Sam openly talks about, plus he shares how he’s gone about cleverly disrupting a very stayed industry.   “When you shop with us, you don’t have to wonder whether your dinner was raised under high welfare conditions. It was! We don’t mess around here. Care is the one word that best describes everything we do at cannings … it starts with how the animals are treated, right through to care for customers, suppliers and of course, our 100+ staff.”  - Sam Canning, Cannings Butchers   There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview.    Sam also shares: Why he became a carnivore The best marketing they do to attract and retain more clients His real estate strategy Why he’s chosen one word to cover all aspects of the Cannings business How he’s managed the rapid growth since opening on 2010 The hardest part of running six butcher’s shops And much, much more.   Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Sam Canning: I love that Sam’s challenging a very old and stayed industry Cannings use of SMS marketing is clever The fact that they’re documenting all systems and processes is also a smart thing to do before the business gets too big   Resources mentioned: Cannings Butchers official website The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw is Danielle Rathman from Heartbeat Handicrafts   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Let your business expenses reward you. Every year. And join me at the Idea Exchange in Sydney on November 22, 2018.   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing. For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.