A few global stadiums, a drum kit, and a lot of small-business lessons.
Adrian has been owning, building and selling businesses since he was fourteen, and advising other owners for the past 15 years. That's not a coaching qualification. That's a career spent in the exact chair he now advises other owners from.
Adrian's story
- Age fourteen
The first business
A crockery hire business, hiring out full table settings for 140 people to funeral directors, theatre groups and large functions.
- University years
Carpet cleaning, then the machines
A carpet cleaning company to pay his way through university. It grew, so he bought the manufacturer supplying the machines and chemicals, invented the world's first microprocessor-controlled carpet cleaning machine, and began supplying cleaning companies nationwide. That business also cleaned Government House, and restored the rug used for Prince William's first public photo.
- Where the advisory began
Win-win
Adrian worked directly with the cleaning companies he supplied, teaching sales strategies, how to manage their teams and how to maximise their returns. As their businesses grew, they bought more from him. That's where his coaching and strategic advisory work began.
- Building & scaling
40 staff and $2 million in three years
Grew Image Enhancement Services to 40 staff and $2 million turnover in three years. Owned and operated several commercial cleaning businesses. Led a manufacturing and distribution company through the shift from owner-operator to a professionally managed business.
- Think big
If I'm going to clean seats, why not clean them for the world?
Founded Seat Renew Global, restoring stadium seating across Australia, Asia, the Middle East, the USA and Europe: Premier League stadiums in London, Accor Stadium in Sydney, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Reading, and a Paris 2024 Olympics venue.
- Today
Three businesses, one philosophy
Think big, invest in people, own the outcome. Adrian owns and operates Newcoat International, Seat Renew Global and Effective Perspective Consulting.
Long before boardrooms, Adrian was keeping the beat.
For years he was a drummer, in bands, in musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Shop of Horrors and Hair, and on tour with some of New Zealand's best-loved entertainers, including Sir Howard Morrison.
A drummer holds the beat so everyone else can shine. That instinct never left me.
It's the same job in a business. Regular meetings, real follow-through, and a steady rhythm that lets the owner and the team play free.
Business is about people.
Invest in your people, and profit stops being the goal. It becomes the byproduct.
I've watched business owners chase the number and lose the people. I've never once watched someone invest properly in their people and not eventually see the number take care of itself.
I didn't build businesses instead of a family. I built them so I could show up for one.
Adrian is married to Alli, and they have four children, every one of whom has played inline hockey, three of them for New Zealand.
If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be fun.
I take a fairly relaxed view on most things. That doesn't mean I'm slack or inefficient. It means I'm not stuffy or overly serious, because people are more creative with their business, and far more willing to share, when it doesn't feel like they're presenting to the board. I even have a client I do walking meetings with.
Between meetings you have direct phone and email support from me personally. I really don't mind a call in the evening to talk through a point. That's my job.
Still in the owner's chair, every day.
Manufactures ceramic coatings for the automotive industry, and products that keep surfaces cleaner for longer.
Restores stadium seating across Australia, Asia, the Middle East, the USA and Europe.
EFFECTIVE PERSPECTIVEFRESH EYES ON YOUR BUSINESSStrategic advisory for small and medium businesses, built on real ownership experience.
About your business, not about me.
My focus is on you. Sure, I'll throw in a real-life example from time to time, but the star attraction is you and your business.