Kelly Brett - Business Owners Wisdom

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Clown Publishing, PO Box 1764, North Sydney NSW 2059, Australia

T: 02 9923 0800 F: 02 9923 0888 E:
www.brettkelly.com.au

Clown Publishing

PO Box 1764, North Sydney NSW 2059, Australia

Telephone: (02) 9923 0800 Facsimile: (02) 9923 0888

Email:

www.brettkelly.com.au

Copyright Text (Australia) Brett Kelly

Copyright Photographs Brett Kelly, Collette Dinnigan, Lorna Jane Clarkson

First published November 2012

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright recorded above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.

Every effort has been made by the editors and publisher to trace and acknowledge copyright material. The publisher would be pleased to hear from any copyright holders who have not been acknowledged.

National Library of Australia
Catalogue-in-Publication data:

Author:Kelly, Brett, 1974

Title:Business Owners Wisdom: Great business owners share their stories / Brett Kelly.

ISBN:9781742982557 (ePub.)

Series:Business Owners Wisdom ; No. 1.

Subjects:

EntrepreneurshipAustralia.

BusinesspeopleAustralia.

EntrepreneurshipAustraliaAnecdotes.

BusinesspeopleAustraliaAnecdotes.

Dewey Number: 338.04

Editorial Management: Filtered Media

Editor: Megan Drinan

Sub-Editor: Dan Stojanovich

Copy-Editor/Proofreader: Ella Martin

Design /Print Management: Reno Design, Sydney R31025

Designers: Graham Rendoth, Ingrid Urh | Reno Design

Photography: Simon Carroll, Kurt Sneddon (Harry Triguboff), Louise Smit (Lorna Jane).

Images not credited are from the individuals files. All reasonable efforts have been made to correctly reference images and contact relevant copyright holders.

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For Rebecca, Thomas, Nicholas and Audrey

Preface

Acknowledgement

Introduction

Stories

Brett Blundy
Retailer

Bill Bridges
Real Estate Agent

Mike Cannon-Brookes
Software Developer

Mark Carnegie
Investor

Nicola Cerrone
Master Jeweller

Lorna Jane Clarkson
Activewear Designer

John Cutler
Bespoke Tailor

Collette Dinnigan
Fashion Designer

James Erskine
Entrepreneur (Sports / Entertainment)

Matt Moran
Chef / Restaurateur

Imelda Roche, AO
Entrepreneur (retired)

Andrew Simmons
Entrepreneur (Fitness)

James Stevens
Entrepreneur (Retail)

Peter Stutchbury
Architect

Harry Triguboff
Entrepreneur (Builder)

Tom Waterhouse
Bookmaker

There is also a part of me still today that enjoys creating new businesses You know, what are people going to want, whats happening out there thats not being delivered that people would want? Some people call that entrepreneurship.

Brett Blundy

It never ceases to amaze me just how generous busy people can be with their time and wisdom. This book is the first in a two-part compilation of interviews I conducted with Australian business owners between June and September 2012.I approached thirty-four business owners, and the first sixteen conversations appear in these pages.

Each person not only carved out time from their busy schedules to sit down with me, some even met me twice. I learned plenty of valuable new lessons about running a private business, and in the process made some new friends.

I also confirmed a little understood discovery. When people become successful in business and life, theyre also happy to share their insights with others. And I dont think its an ego thing. Business owners genuinely want to see other people succeed. Theres an old saying that no man is an island. Well in this case, Ive discovered the spirit of business in Australia: No company is an island.

Its no secret that for many businesses the past few years have been tough.In fact, I still believe many parts of the economy are in recession. The road to recovery wont be quick for everyone.

With that in mind, Ive been very deliberate in the way I approached these interviews. Yes, I asked people about their business strategies. But I also asked them about their personal lives. In my experience business owners live a unique existence. Their personal and professional lives become financially and emotionally intertwined.