My Story

Why I Help People Reclaim Their Freedom and Start Over at Any Age.

I wasn’t born into wealth or handed a golden opportunity. I come from a working-class family where money was tight, luxuries were rare, and raising five kids on one income meant we learned to make do with what we had. My dad believed in hard work, and my mum — though she longed to contribute financially — mostly stayed home to keep the family running.

At sixteen, I left home and school behind, stepping into my first job at Dick Smith Electronics. It was a huge leap — moving away from home to live and work in the big city. I felt out of my depth, but eager to grow. That role exposed me to something that changed my life: the power of personal development. Even as a warehouse assistant, I watched the sales team receive mindset and communication training — and I knew I wanted to be part of that world.

Within a short time, I moved into a sales role and quickly progressed to managing the opening of a new branch in Hamilton. That momentum carried me through several sales roles in the years that followed, each one sharpening my ability to connect with people, handle rejection, and operate in uncertain environments.

But I didn’t stop there. A friend invited me to help launch his startup — not because I had the skills, but because he trusted me to learn. That led me into accounting and business operations, and over the following years I worked in financial roles across various companies, gaining a deep understanding of what makes a business tick.

Still hungry to grow, I returned to university and earned a business management degree majoring in e-commerce. It opened my eyes to the potential of the online world. I could see a future where I wouldn’t be limited by geography or traditional employment. I dreamed of owning a global business — one that could be run from anywhere. I didn’t yet know how, but I knew it was coming.

That dream took shape in Australia, where I launched my first e-commerce business. It was exciting and freeing — but after several successful years, we returned to New Zealand to be closer to family. I put that business on hold, unsure of what would come next.

Back in New Zealand, I accepted a role with a friend’s insolvency firm — helping struggling businesses find their footing.

Over the next nine years, I worked with dozens of business owners under extreme pressure. My role gave me a unique insight into:

• The warning signs of financial failure

• Why some businesses thrive while others collapse

• How to create systems that work under stress

• The emotional and financial toll poor decisions can take

I saw directors lose everything. I saw good people become unemployed overnight. And I also saw how many of these outcomes could have been prevented.

It was the best business education I could’ve asked for — real, raw, and unfiltered.

Then came COVID-19. As government support kept companies afloat, our work dried up. I was made redundant — jobless, in my 50s, and unsure what was next.

That moment forced deep reflection. I had two options:

• Return to the job hunt and hope someone would hire me

• Or finally create the business I’d been dreaming about for years

I chose the latter.

I returned briefly to photography — something I loved and was good at — but I could see the writing on the wall. The industry was overcrowded, AI was advancing fast, and the long-term outlook wasn’t strong.

So, I pivoted again, diving deep into job applications and franchise research. I applied for over 60 jobs in six weeks and was turned down for every single one. Not because I lacked experience, but because I was no longer seen as “hirable” in a youth-focused job market.

That rejection became a gift — it made things crystal clear:

If I wanted freedom, fulfillment, and financial stability, I would have to create it myself.

I began researching business models that aligned with what I truly wanted:

• Low overheads

• No staff

• No inventory

• Work-from-home flexibility

• Scalable income

• Something that made a difference

Eventually, I found what I was looking for — a digital business model that ticked all the boxes. I applied the same due diligence I used to assess all the franchises I looked at purchasing, and it passed every test.

The business offered:

• A step-by-step launch process

• Integrated technology that simplified operations

• A global audience reach

• The freedom to work on my own terms

That’s when Launch Your Life was born — a business dedicated to helping others escape the 9–5 grind and create a more purpose-driven life.

I now have a business I’m proud of. I work from home. I play sport during the weekdays — something I’ve never been able to do before. I choose when and how I work, and I’m helping others regain control of their own lives.

That’s not to say the journey was effortless. The hardest parts were:

• Making the decision to believe in myself

• Pacing myself during the setup process

• Letting go of pressure and allowing things to unfold

But those early steps laid the foundation for everything I enjoy today.