The Kailis name is synonymous fish and chips and Fremantle Harbour.

The 74-year-old family patriarch is Victor Kailis whose father arrived in Perth over 100 years ago. He’s had a colourful career spanning working in the entertainment industry to finally settling into the family business of seafood.

Mr Kailis told Mark Gibson about his sliding doors moment and the decades of dedication to create business success.

“I got offered a very big job in LA,” said Mr Kailis

“I had to choose between going overseas and working in a very big theatrical [company] or going in and running a fish cannery.

“At 24 I went back into the seafood business.”

The Kailis family is behind some of Perth’s most well known venues including The Shorehouse, Island Market and of course Kailis Fish Market & Cafe.

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