Partners Matthew Chung, 33, and Cathy Matthee, 29, are scheduled to open their Geelong business on 17 June, five months after relocating from Melbourne.

Chung formerly worked in cancer research. Matthee's most recent job was as a primary school teacher, although she also owned a Nando's from 2005-12.

Matthee told ProPrint that they weren't concerned about their inexperience because they enjoyed challenges and had received excellent support from Signarama. She said the store would benefit from her business background and Chung's creativity and love of machinery.

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The franchise will do its printing on an HP Designjet L26500 and initially have four staff – the two owners, a production person and a salesman.

"The first goal is to break even [within three months]. The second goal is to reach some form of profitability," said Matthee.

"We're hoping that we will expand and take on another two staff members. We're aiming for that to happen in about six to 12 months."

The owners also want to develop strong local ties. Chung said he had joined two volleyball teams, and that they would register with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of Business Networking International.

"We're very excited to be in this new industry. We're hoping to learn a lot. We're excited to be in the area we are, because there's a lot of growth between Geelong and the Surf Coast," he told ProPrint.

Geelong will become Singarama's 92nd Australian outlet. Signarama's Australian boss told ProPrint earlier this year that the franchise wanted to reach 100 stores by the end of 2013.

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