We were lucky to catch up with Belinda Hand recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Belinda, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

We believe Turret’s success comes from always staying inspired and truly loving what we do. Hospitality is our passion, and we pour that into every aspect of the experience we create. We’re constantly visiting other venues, observing, learning, and bringing fresh ideas back to Turret. For us, it’s about never becoming complacent—always evolving, always striving to be better, and always ensuring our guests feel the warmth and energy we bring to our space every day

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hospitality has always been a passion of mine, and owning Turret Café & Bakehouse has been the ultimate way to bring that passion to life. My husband LeRoy and I have poured our hearts into creating a space where people feel welcome, where great food and coffee bring people together, and where every visit is an experience worth remembering.

We got into this industry because we love it—there’s something special about the way hospitality connects people. But we also believe that to be truly successful, you have to stay inspired. That’s why we’re constantly visiting other venues, learning, observing, and evolving. We don’t believe in standing still; we believe in always striving to do better.

At Turret, we offer more than just food and coffee—we provide an experience. From our warm, inviting atmosphere to our carefully curated menus and exceptional service, we focus on every detail. Whether it’s a long lunch or just a casual coffee catch-up, we want every guest to walk away feeling like their day was made a little better by visiting our venue.

What sets us apart is the love and energy we put into everything we do. Turret isn’t just a business for us—it’s a reflection of who we are. Our team, our guests, and our community mean everything to us. Winning Best Licensed Café in Victoria at the Golden Plate Awards and the Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Award for Restaurants, Cafes & Pubs were huge honors, but what makes us most proud is the daily feedback from our guests who tell us how much they love coming here.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building an audience on social media has been a natural extension of what I was already passionate about. As a content creator, I had a strong understanding of social media before we started growing The Turret’s presence, which helped us build trust and connection with our audience from the beginning.

We’ve always focused on authenticity—showcasing what makes The Turret special, telling a story, and making sure every piece of content feels real and engaging. We cross-promote across all of our business accounts, which helps us reach different audiences while keeping everything cohesive. More than just posting great photos, we prioritize engagement—responding to comments, resharing customer content, and making sure our audience feels valued.

For anyone looking to grow on social media, my biggest advice is to stay authentic and focus on storytelling. People connect with people, not just products. Share the heart behind what you do, be consistent, and always aim to add value—whether that’s through beautiful visuals, behind-the-scenes moments, or simply showing up in a way that feels genuine. Trust takes time to build, but when you focus on real connections, growth will follow.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team and keeping morale high starts with leadership. We believe in leading by example—showing up with passion, energy, and a strong work ethic every day. When your team sees that you genuinely love what you do, it sets the tone for the whole workplace.

Hiring the right people is just as important. We look for passionate, people-friendly staff who truly enjoy hospitality. Skills can be taught, but attitude and energy make all the difference. A positive team culture comes from having people who support each other and take pride in creating a great experience for our guests.

We also make sure our team feels valued. Clear communication, recognition for hard work, and making sure everyone knows they’re a vital part of what we do all contribute to high morale. At the end of the day, happy staff create happy customers, and when you invest in your team, it shows in the atmosphere of your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.turretcafe.com.au
• Instagram: @turretcafe and my personal page @belinda_hand_

Image Credits

Emma Duzhnikova from The Concept Distillery