Lincoln started his first job in hospitality in 1981 in a coffee shop in Surfers Paradise. He didn't drink coffee when he started, but he soon developed a taste for it. Lincoln also loved the relaxed lifestyle that living and working on the Gold Coast provided him.
How do you separate your personal life from your life at Madison's Cafe?
I try to keep my work and my private life as separate as possible. I have very talented staff so I trust them to own their own systems, know their jobs and discuss new ideas with me about how to improve things.
What’s your favourite ‘me time’ thing to do?
I love going to New Zealand to ski and Hamilton Island in the summer. We also travelled internationally to England once a year before the border closures.
What nice surprises have you found in running Madison's Cafe?
I love meeting lots of different people and hearing their perspectives on life.
What no-so-nice surprises?
I love what I do, so sometimes I overdo it. I'd like to have more time for my family.
Do you have any advice for someone contemplating opening or buying a café?
Know what you're doing, love what you do, and make sure you choose a good spot (location, location, location).
What personal touches did you put into Madison's Cafe that make it unique?
We've been serving handmade food and desserts since the start and I always have 4-6 pastry chefs on at a time making delicious food. I also like to encourage my staff to be creative and challenge themselves.
Do you have any funny or favourite guest stories?
I meet a lot of people from all different industries. I was once given State of Origin tickets and I offered one to Spida Everitt at Sea FM on the Gold Coast. We had some on-air banter about which teams we supported leading up to the game.
1300 764 299
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1300 764 299