From a $7,000 café bought during Melbourne’s lockdowns to founding more than 11 businesses across hospitality, education, and property development, 29-year-old Winson Tan has emerged as one of Australia’s most dynamic young entrepreneurs.
Guided by a mission that is simple yet powerful – “Connecting People, Enriching Communities” – Winson has transformed WA Group into a multi-award-winning enterprise with over 150 team members.
What began with a struggling café has grown into a portfolio that today includes four thriving cafés, the award-winning Prefisso 3088 Italian restaurant, Nexus Early Learning in Heidelberg – with four new childcare campuses currently in development – and the upcoming JWT Whitehorse Project, a landmark mixed-use development in Blackburn.
WA Group’s impact has been recognised nationally and globally. Jerry Joy Café was crowned Café Dining and Casual Dining of the Year 2024, while Prefisso 3088 secured Family Dining and Casual Dining of the Year 2025 at the Restaurant & Catering Awards. Nexus Early Learning achieved near-full enrolment in its first year, receiving international honours with a Gold Stevie Award for Best Entrepreneur – Hospitality & Leisure and a Silver Stevie Award for Most Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year.
Born in Malaysia and moving to Australia nine years ago, Winson pursued higher education in business and IT before turning to entrepreneurship during the pandemic. Today, as he completes a PhD in Leadership, he continues to pioneer ventures where success is measured not just in growth, but in belonging, opportunity, and lasting community impact.
