Transforming Our Business with Expert Guidance - Aidan

When we first met John over ten years ago, our business was turning over not much more than $2 million. Today, we’re on track to hit $20 million. That growth didn’t happen by chance—it happened because of the structured support, guidance, and business discipline John brought to the table."

 As a busy online marketing company selling products in Australia and New Zealand, we were always too busy to slow down and focus on governance, risk management, and strategic planning.

 We knew that we had to focus not just on sales but also warehouse management, distribution & marketing.

 John introduced a structured advisory approach that transformed how we ran our business. His facilitation of senior team meetings ensured we stayed focused on the right priorities—something we never had time to do before.

The Difference John's Support Made:

• Strategic Growth: He helped us think and act like a bigger company before we actually became one.
• Risk Management: We now have structured reviews and planning sessions that give us confidence in decision-making.
• Stronger Systems: Our operational efficiency and ability to scale have dramatically improved.
• Financial Clarity: Regular financial reviews keep us on track for sustainable growth.
• Hiring Confidence: We now bring in the right people at the right time, knowing they fit within our long-term plan.

We previously worked with another advisor, but when they retired, we turned to John. He brought fresh ideas, valuable connections, and a corporate-level mindset that helped us grow sustainably. His ability to stay objective and focus on what truly matters has been invaluable.

 If you’re thinking about working with John, don’t wait until you hit a certain milestone—invest in this support early. Thanks to his guidance, we’re now heading towards monthly revenue levels we once celebrated annually. His input has been instrumental in our success.

– Aidan

Ray has been instrumental in helping me work toward my dream of building a legacy for my grandkids.

As a highly successful e-commerce business owner, he deeply understands what it takes to grow an online business. What truly sets Ray apart is his passion for helping others succeed. His mentorship has been invaluable, breaking down complex strategies into actionable steps that benefit both beginners and experienced entrepreneurs.

His commitment to excellence and genuine desire to see others win make him a true leader in the e-commerce space. If you’re looking for expert advice, motivation, or a clear roadmap to success, Ray is the person to turn to. His generosity in sharing knowledge and providing practical guidance speaks volumes about his character and expertise.

– Tama, Tauranga

Our Business Mentor: Ray

Finding the right business mentor was a game-changer for our entrepreneurial journey. There were some key characteristics we were looking for in a mentor, and Ray had these important skills—and many more.

• Good Listener
Ray was someone who listened and provided us guidance along the way. We were quite nervous, but he encouraged us all the way and made us feel confident as we progressed.

• Willing to Share
He was always open to sharing his expertise, skills, and experience.

• Professional and Personal Development
He genuinely cared about our growth—both personally and professionally.

Ray was amazing, and in a few years, we grew our business from a brand-new venture into a thriving, well-respected business with return clients—winning awards in our second year of business with a franchise. Ray helped us achieve these awards.

A business mentor is the best investment we made. It enabled us to grow with confidence. We have now sold our business after four years and retired.

Thank you Ray! You were a game changer for us. This was money well spent.
– Tammy

When I first sat down with John, I was at a crossroads.

I’ve been a Chartered Accountant for over 15 years and was beginning to explore the idea of starting my own practice. While I had the technical skills, I knew I needed guidance on how to approach the transition, what factors to consider, and how to make the right decisions without being clouded by emotion or uncertainty. That’s where John came in.

Before working with John, I was dealing with the usual challenges of stepping out on your own:

Too many unknowns.

Difficulty in separating emotion from good judgement.

A lack of clarity around what truly mattered in the decision-making process.

I had worked with John before on a couple of mutual clients and always appreciated his clear thinking, honesty, and practical approach. I knew I needed someone who would tell it to me straight-someone I could trust to challenge my thinking and keep me grounded.

From our very first session, things started to click.

John laid out a simple, step-by-step framework that made everything feel more manageable. He asked the right questions, highlighted risks I hadn’t considered, and helped me think critically about my options. What stood out most was his ability to cut through the noise and focus on what really mattered. When I was leaning towards decisions driven by emotion, John brought me back to logic and strategy-exactly what I needed.

The support didn’t stop in the meeting room.

John checked in with calls, texts, and emails-not just to follow up, but to genuinely see how I was getting on. That personal attention made a huge difference. I call it the “give-a-shit factor”-and it’s rare to find.

Since working with John, my confidence and clarity have grown significantly.

I’ve avoided a decision that could have led me down the wrong path, and instead I’m now setting up my own practice with a clear plan and purpose. His advice has been pivotal in shaping that journey.

If you’re thinking about working with John, my advice is simple:

Do it. He’ll tailor his approach to suit your needs, hold you to account, and genuinely invest in your success. I’ll be continuing to work with him regularly-and I’m all the better for it.

When we first started working with John over ten years ago, our business was generating around $200k a year. Today, we’ve grown well past $1 million—and that growth didn’t happen by accident. It came from having the right structure, support, and business clarity that John helped us build.

As a small tech company building web applications and software solutions, we had strong technical skills but limited experience running a business. I was wearing too many hats and making decisions reactively. We lacked a clear sales strategy, didn’t fully understand our financial position, and often felt like we were winging it.

John brought a practical, business-first lens to everything.

In one of our first sessions, I was under serious pressure—too much to do, not enough clarity. John pulled everything together into a simple, structured plan. What felt like chaos suddenly became manageable. That moment helped shift me from overwhelmed to focused. From there, we started to get real traction.

The Difference John’s Support Made:

• We now make decisions based on data and long-term direction, not gut feel.
  
• Regular reviews and planning have strengthened how we manage cash and forecast.
  
• Systems and processes are clearer, making the business more scalable.
  
• I’ve been able to stay in the technical space I love, knowing the business side is under control.
  
• Revenue growth has followed naturally, built on solid foundations.
  

John wasn’t just another advisor—he brought a sharp, experienced perspective and helped us operate more like a mature business, without losing our startup energy. His calm, objective approach has helped us stay focused and avoid distractions.

If you’re feeling stretched, uncertain, or unsure how to scale, I highly recommend working with John. He helps you cut through the noise, get clear on what matters, and make real progress.

Looking back, I’ve gone from feeling reactive and overwhelmed to confident and in control.

The business is no longer something I just try to keep up with—it’s something we’re building with purpose. That shift wouldn’t have happened without John.

Lance knew of Ray in the 1990s through an association with the Emergency Services in Central Hawkes Bay.

In 2018, when we started our own business, we were reintroduced to Ray as an owner in the same Franchise. We did a one-week training with Ray in his store and were so impressed by his integrity, experience, and communication skills that we asked if he would mentor us in our endeavors building a new business in a field that we knew nothing about.

We quickly realised that Ray is a man of his word and has a direct approach that was positive and encouraging. We grew to trust Ray’s advice implicitly and were awarded Franchisee of the Year at our Annual Franchise Awards in 2020.

We attribute a lot of the success in our business to the input and encouragement from Ray.

He has a passion to see the people that he mentors succeed in their businesses and exceeded expectations in helping us to achieve our goals.

Although neither ourselves nor Ray are a part of the Franchise now, we still have ongoing contact with Ray because of our respect for him and the friendship built over the years.