NO CHOICE other than start a business
I HAD NO CHOICE
If you are interested in my story.
LIFE BEFORE BUSINESS.
At the age of 18, I was filled with excitement as I followed the long-standing tradition in my family of serving our country. In 1987, I eagerly entered the NSW Police Academy, and just seven days after my 19th birthday, I hit the streets as a police officer. I spent my time on the front lines, both in uniform and as a detective, investigating serious crimes.
Like many other front line police officers, I have encountered a multitude of serious incidents throughout my career, including murders, suicides, fatal accidents, and domestic situations. In addition, I faced the physical dangers that came with the job, such as being assaulted, punched, kicked, choked, having a gun pointed at me, dealing with violent offenders who tried to stab me during arrests & having persons following me, coming to my home killing me dog!
These experiences took a heavy toll on my mental well-being, compounded by the added trauma of encountering instances where I witnessed or dealt with the aftermath of violence, dealing with Victims & witnesses.
To my dismay, on the day I was discharged in 2001, I received devastating news: my claim for workers’ compensation was declined.
At the age of 33, I found myself in a dire situation, having lost my home and being a single father with no job prospects. Despite my best efforts, I faced countless rejections in my search for employment, and I had no workers’ compensation payment to rely on. The situation became so dire that it seemed we were heading towards homelessness. In order to survive, I was forced to rely on disability support and rental assistance.
Shit Happens
In 2003, I finally had the opportunity to take legal action against the police force, although it was too late as I had lost my home years earlier. However, the money I received from this legal battle went straight to lawyers and back to the government, as I had to pay back years of disability support pension. This left me with very little financial means, just enough for a deposit on a 2 bed place for me & my boy.
During this time, I had started my own business creating stickers and signs. Additionally, I was fortunate enough to secure a part time job as a pool lifeguard. These part-time endeavors brought some stability and a sense of mental strength back into my life.
Unfortunately, within six months, this part time job was abruptly taken away from me. My lower back injury had worsened, and discs collapsed, causing serve nerve damage to my lower back & righ leg calf muscle, leaving me in pain & with a numb right foot after urgent surgery. It happened right before Christmas in 2004. Following the surgery, I was unable to walk for months and had to undergo extensive rehabilitation. Eventually, I was placed on workers’ compensation as the injuries I had sustained as a police officer finally caught up with me. I was left walking with a limp, unable to run or engage in physical activities and unable to return to any work due to the constant pain.
It felt like I was back at square one, facing the same challenges and struggles all over again.
My Big Plan for my future.
During this period, my primary goal was to pay off my two-bedroom townhouse before turning 65 and rely on a pension for my living expenses since I had no superannuation savings.
To aid in coping with the constant PTSD and pain, I immersed myself in self-help books, business literature, and pain management resources. I sought out psychological help and support to navigate through the challenges I faced.
In this process, I began to shift my mindset and alter my perspective on my circumstances. Recognizing that I had no alternative, I actively worked on changing the way I thought about my situation. It was a necessary adjustment driven by the reality that I had to confront and finding ways to move forward despite the ongoing hardships I experienced.
MY BUSINESS JOURNEY.
After reading “Rich Dad Poor Dad” and “Victims, Vampires & Sex Maniacs,” my perspective on my situation and the people around me underwent a significant transformation. This newfound insight prompted me to make a change in my life.
Since around 2000, I had been self-taught in making stickers and signs using a vinyl cutter machine. However, my progress was interrupted by a major back operation in 2004.
To generate income, I began selling stickers on eBay and familiarized myself with how the platform worked. Meanwhile, my son’s interest in waterskiing and wakeboarding led me to identify a gap in the Wakeboard Tower market. However, when I approached workers’ compensation for assistance, they decline to help re train me deeming it a waste of money.
Left with no other option, I made the courageous decision to risk everything I had and start a business that could accommodate my physical pain and limited working hours.
Because of my limited financial resources, I had to acquire knowledge in various areas, including websites, SEO, marketing, sales, importing, branding, design, manufacturing, trademarks, design patents, and running a business. Along the way from 2006 to now my company even went through an ACCC investigation and faced challenges in the IP court system.
Nevertheless, we successfully established a 3 wakeboard tower brands and licensed our innovative designs to be known worldwide. Additionally, I noticed an opportunity in the fishing centre console boat market and introduced a factory looking Universal T Top design, which has gained recognition and acceptance globally.
Unfortunately, many of my designs have been copied by others over the years, which is an ongoing issue in itself. ( A whole different story)
By July 2012, we achieved a goal of purchasing a waterfront home on the Gold Coast, with our boat parked out the back. At that point, we transitioned from to solely receiving royalties. As my health started to rapidly decline, to where we sold the boat and downsized our home. Concurrently, our company invested in properties to build a portfolio that generates assets and income.
SHIT HAPPENS AGAIN !
In 2015, I experienced a significant health setback when my lower back spinal discs collapsed again, necessitating a fusion and disc replacement surgery. The pain was intense, and even today, I continue to undergo rehabilitation and struggle with the lingering effects of this traumatic event, which has also triggered my PTSD.
Then, in 2019, despite my existing arm, mid back, and neck injuries, workers’ compensation sent me to an exercise physio & forced to the gym, This resulted in further injuries. I sustained wedging at t10 and t11 with compression fractures. Also additional damage to C4/5 C5/6 c6/7 requiring additional injections.
The in 2021, I underwent another surgery, this time a double fusion and disc replacement to my neck.
However, despite the immense challenges I face, I have NO CHOICE but to focus on my “Why,” my reason for not giving up and continuing to move forward. It’s not an easy path, but the alternative is simply not an option.
A RETIREMENT BUSINESS.
In 2020, I had the idea of going camping with our young daughter to create the same wonderful memories I had as a child. However, due to my limitations and injuries, I needed to find a camping option that would be manageable for myself and my wife. After thorough research, I discovered that a teardrop camper would be suitable, as it was something my wife could handle with ease.
It was from this idea that Gold Coast Teardrop Campers was born. We became the Queensland east coast dealers for the Caretta teardrops, a brand I discovered was being imported into Perth. Utilizing my knowledge and expertise, we were able to establish a strong brand presence, optimize our SEO, improve our ranking, and develop effective marketing strategies. The beauty of this business is that it can be easily operated from the comfort of our own home, accommodating both my physical limitations and injuries.
In addition to my own business, my wife has also ventured into entrepreneurship with her own business called Jump Study. She provides assistance and support to students from the Philippines who wish to study in Australia. It has been an exciting journey changing the lives of students coming to Australia.
Setting a great example for our daughter, Jamie, who is only 9 years old, she has already taken the initiative to invest her own money and start her own brand of JFROC watches. She has a keen interest in learning about business and we are proud to encourage and support her in her entrepreneurial endeavours. She has already been on Ch9 news, Ch10 project. She was invited as a just designer at the New Silk road International modelling with models wearing her watches. These opportunities She created herself.
Ultimately, I find great joy in helping others achieve their goals. Whether it’s through our businesses or simply providing guidance and support to those who seek it, it gives me a sense of fulfillment and purpose.