LET’S TALK BUSINESS - Cool As Patios

Cool As Patios owners, Russell and Simone Phillips, run their leading patio company here on the Sunshine Coast, and cover custom carports, pergolas, patios and decks. As ever with Let’s Talk Business, we wanted to find out more about the people behind the business, so we invited Simone for a chat!

Where were you born and raised, and what brought you to the Sunny Coast/Hinterland? 

We are both from far north Queensland born and raised in Townsville. We have always visited the Sunny Coast on holidays; we came up to Maleny on a day trip and fell in love with the countryside. It only took us two weeks before Russell and I flew back to the Sunny Coast to purchase a new home for our family. We sold our house and our patio business in Townsville and three months later we moved to our forever home in the Hinterland.  

How did your business begin? 

Russell went into the building industry straight out of school. He has always had a passion for design and creating a new space. We purchased our first patio business in Townsville back in 2005 and when we moved to the Sunny Coast in 2015 we started a new company – Cool As Patios. We wanted to create a business that we can pass on to our children.  

What do you think sets your business apart from others? 

I believe we are an amazing team. Russell personally sees the job through from start to finish. Beginning with the design, ordering and then building it himself with the help of his team.  

I run the behind the scenes area, answering client queries, organising council certification, arranging onsite quotes, dealing with suppliers. 

We love what we do, we care, and it shows in our work (and our Google reviews). We are a true family business. We work in our business and our business supports three other Sunshine Coast families. Two of our employees are childhood friends of Russell's.  

What does a 'typical' day entail for you? 

Our day starts early together with the first focus being emails and orders for customers.  

Russell then spends the day building and creating an exciting new patio or carport for our customers while I run the admin side of the things. 

What is the most useful advice you could give someone thinking of getting a patio? 

Get multiple quotes, engage a licensed builder, and find someone who is as excited as you are for your new outdoor area!  

I would definitely say choose a family business, as we work and live in the area and, in many cases, you will run into your local builder at the supermarket or the beach with their families! Oh, and go for Australia made. 

What do you like about the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland area? 

The community in Maleny! Also, for us it was that we can live and work in the hinterland but also have the coast at our fingertips.   

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

We don't have a lot of spare time! We do enjoy spending time with our children and travelling when possible. We try to show our children that it's a big, beautiful world out there with so many new and exciting experiences to try. 

Do you have a favourite quote or saying that inspires you? 

We are big on positivity, so we like: Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m Possible”!   

Contact: coolaspatios.com.au or call 07 5435 8379.