CHAT SESSION 81 with  Nerida and Tahlee 

Topic- From where they started, to all the challenges in between, today Nerida and Tahlee smile knowing they have created a little community of their own.

Monday 11th November 2024 1pm https://rppfm.com.au

Sisters Nerida and Tahlee are co-founders of a small family-owned business in an industrial estate of Mornington.

For more than three decades, Nerida has been in the hospitality industry.  She started her career as an apprentice chef and would utilise her time efficiently during split shifts to upskill herself by learning many other aspects of the industry.

On the other hand, her sister Tahlee took a different path. Straight out of high school she began work as a mortgage broker for a short time and in addition learnt a little about the hospitality industry before giving birth to her first daughter at the age of 21.

As the years passed by Tahlee went on to have a young family. She chose to become a stay-at-home mum and look after her children full time. She also took care of the books and admin side of her partners business.

Sisters Tahlee and Nerida have always been close growing up and maintain a caring and supportive relationship. In 2015 after a massive house build in Mornington together, John & Tahlee sold their 2nd house in Mornington and purchased a home in Somerville. The new location had a self-contained unit on the property, so Nerida took the opportunity to move in to be close to John and Tahlee.

After settling into a new location and enjoying the surroundings for a few years Nerida had an idea to give business ownership a go. With her travelling history and extended work experience in hospitality Nerida was confident to step out and start something new. She wanted to share her skills and profession with others. That is how ‘2 left sisters’ was born. It was at this time that Tahlee and Nerida became business partners.

There was a lot of excitement about the upcoming new business venture, and it was John, Tahlees partner who said, "why don’t you call the café ‘2 left sisters' as you're both not quite right". Without hesitation Nerida and Tahlee agreed with John’s suggestion. They loved the business name. They thought it suited them perfectly.

It was late 2019 just before covid surfaced that the sisters took over the existing business. Unfortunately, due to the first lockdown they did not get a chance to build the business brand as effectively as they wanted to. Nerida and Tahlee had to think on their feet. It was to early and just the beginning of a new business adventure to shut the doors without coming up with a contingency plan so, with an open mind and quick thinking a drive through café was created.

To get things up and running Tahlees daughters would stand out the front of the property with huge signs directing cars into the makeshift drive through they had constructed. The cars would come through the makeshift drive through, the team would take orders and then Tahlee would be under the pump learning how to make coffee for the first time. Once the orders were made the team would hand the coffees to the customers through the window. As the coffee orders continued and the business grew, sisters Tahlee and Nerida were able to employ more people. 

Ironically Tahlees coffee skills continued to get better, and the business began to take flight going from strength to strength.

During the 2 years of lock downs, 2 Left Sisters co-owners Nerida and Tahlee became well known within the local community.

2 Left Sisters is known as a little haven where inclusivity matters, and everyone is welcome to enjoy a great coffee and have a laugh. 

From where they started, to all the challenges in between, today Nerida and Tahlee smile knowing they have created a little community of their own.

Sisters Nerida and Tahlee say “The café is like an extension of our home. It’s a place where there’s always someone to chat with, and it is a safe space to enjoy a little time out”

VISIT 2 Left Sisters

Drive Through Cafe & Dine in

98 Watt Road Mornington Vic 3931

2 left sisters on Instagram

2 left sisters on Facebook

My hope is that when you’re looking at yourself in the

‘The Daily Mirror’

YOU SMILE

EMBRACE BEING YOU

AND FIND 10 MINUTES IN YOUR DAY TO NOURISH YOUR SOUL!

To get in touch with Cathy email smileinthedailymirror@gmail.com 

'The Daily Mirror' acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.