Virgin Australia Voyeur — May 2017

MAY 2017 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA 115

CLOCKWISE

FROM TOPBob and

Grant Menzies in

the Adina workshop;

working on some ugg

boots in the factory;

an Adina Amphibian

Dive Watch.

Did being the son of the owner help
you attract clients too? “Yes, I think the
fact we were a family company gave us real
authenticity. Those stores were speaking
with a family member.”

What’s the power dynamic like between
you and your father these days? “That’s
the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I mean,
Bob and I have always thrived on robust
discussion. We’re both Taureans and are both
quite strong willed. Who’s at the top of the
food chain isn’t really the important thing —
it’s whether we can come up with the right
result for the business. What’s good for the
business is good for both of us as well.”

What makes it a productive business
relationship? “We’ll cut to the chase very,
very quickly. There’s no preamble. Normally
we can come to a decision on even the
biggest things in a short amount of time
and stick to those things quite firmly.”

“IN 1980, WHENI was 28

years old, my husband and

I came to Australia with our

two young children. I had

a master’s degree in chemical

and industrial engineering, and

my husband was a skilled hat

and coat maker. We knew that

Australia was sheep country, so

my husband brought along his

sewing machine. He was sure he

could make good use of his skills.

“I became a member of the

Institution of Engineers and began

applying for jobs, but because I was

young and had two small children,

many companies were sceptical

and told me to stay at home.

“I decided to help my husband

start a business instead. When we’d

arrived in Melbourne he’d taken

a job in a factory, but a few weeks

later he saw a pair of ugg boots at

a market and was inspired.

“My husband’s factory wages

barely covered our rent and food,

so I started cleaning dishes at

a restaurant for $3 an hour. When

we had $60 saved, we bought our

first sheepskins from a tannery.

Luda Fishman and her husband

emigrated from Ukraine in 1980

and settled in Melbourne. Despite

a tough start, the pair managed

to build a successful footwear

business from the ground up by

pooling their resources. Today, their

company is considered Australia’s

pre-eminent manufacturer of ugg

boots. Here, Luda tells her story.

(^3) UGG AUSTRALIA