Shooting the Breese: Powered by ASW

Scaling a business from one person in a room to more than 400 staff takes more than ambition. It takes discipline, resilience, strong people, and the ability to keep evolving as the business grows.In this episode of Shooting the Breese, powered by AS White Global, Dan sits down with Nick Sheehan, founder of efex, a fast-growing Australian IT managed services business. Nick reflects on the personal drive that shaped him, the work ethic he inherited from his parents, and how that foundation helped him build efex from a one-man operation into a national business.Nick shares the realities of scaling through acquisitions, navigating two private equity events, and leading a business that has grown to more than 400 staff. He discusses the importance of hiring great people, staying focused on customers, and maintaining a strong moral compass while managing the competing pressures of growth, profitability, service quality and culture.The conversation also explores the evolution of efex's international team strategy, from early cost-focused offshore support to building a genuine global talent pool that helps the business access specialist skills and scale faster. Nick explains why the best outcome comes from hiring the right people, wherever they are, and creating a partnership model that supports the business as its needs evolve.Nick also opens up about the challenge of balance, fatherhood, travel, health and the reality that extraordinary outcomes often require sacrifice. For business owners, leaders and anyone interested in scaling through people, technology and acquisitions, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to build a high-growth business while staying focused on what matters most.Find out more about ASW here: https://aswhiteglobal.com/

Building a lasting business is not always about becoming the biggest. Sometimes, it is about staying focused on being the best.In this episode of Shooting the Breese, powered by AS White Global, Dan sits down with Andrew Hewison, Managing Director of Hewison Private Wealth, a 40-year-old Melbourne-based wealth advisory firm. Andrew shares his journey from managing a surf shop to joining the business founded by his father, where he quickly discovered a passion for client service, relationships and delivering genuine value.Andrew reflects on stepping into the Managing Director role, the pressure he places on himself to lead well, and Hewison’s deliberate focus on organic growth, independence and building a long-term legacy rather than preparing the business for sale.The conversation explores Andrew’s leadership style, how it has evolved over time, and why vulnerability, empowerment and trust are central to high-performing teams. He also discusses how Hewison has integrated its international team into the broader business, treating offshore team members as genuine contributors rather than separate support staff.Andrew also opens up about family, fitness, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, work-life balance, and the importance of staying physically and mentally sharp as a leader. For business owners, advisors and leaders, this episode offers a grounded look at leadership, legacy, culture and using offshore talent as leverage rather than just a cost-saving exercise.Find out more about ASW here: https://aswhiteglobal.com/

Sometimes the best business journeys do not start with a grand plan. They start with a job ad, a bit of luck, and a willingness to have a crack.In this episode of Shooting the Breese, powered by AS White Global, Dan sits down with Chris Miller, founder of Vantage Strata, one of Australia’s fastest-growing strata businesses. Chris shares his unconventional path into the industry, from leaving school early and working with his father in carpentry, to accidentally landing in strata management more than 20 years ago. What started as an unexpected job became the foundation for a business that now manages around 18,000 units.Chris explains why he believed strata management needed a stronger focus on the built environment, not just administration, compliance and meetings. He shares how Vantage Strata set out to bring a more commercial property mindset to residential strata, with better systems, clearer maintenance planning and a deeper understanding of how buildings actually function.The conversation also explores the evolution of Vantage’s international team, which began as a way to create capacity for local strata managers but quickly became something far more valuable. Chris reflects on how the offshore team grew from basic process support into a capable, client-facing group that now plays a genuine role in solving complex problems across the business.Chris also shares honest lessons from scaling a team across Australia and Malaysia, including the importance of clear collaboration tools, understanding cultural differences, and spending time with offshore teams in person. For business owners and leaders, this episode offers a candid look at growth, systems, culture and the reality of building a business without pretending the journey is always neat or easy.Find out more about ASW here: https://aswhiteglobal.com/

Some businesses start with a polished strategy. Others start with one ute, a Gumtree ad, and a brutal first lesson.In this episode of Shooting the Breese, powered by AS White Global, Dan sits down with Tim Cullen, CEO and co-founder of Tradiespec, one of Australia’s fastest-growing asset finance businesses. Tim shares how his early experience in a startup environment ignited his passion for business, giving him exposure to sales, capital raising, strategy, marketing and growth at a critical stage in his career.Tim reflects on the rough beginnings of Tradiespec, including the story of the company’s very first ute rental, a hard lesson that helped shape the risk management, systems and resilience behind the business today. From that first vehicle, Tradiespec has now grown to more than 1,100 vehicles and a global team of more than 35 people.The conversation explores the realities of being a young CEO, raising capital, managing pressure, understanding cash flow, and building the resilience needed to keep moving through each new challenge. Tim also shares how strong routines, physical fitness, mentors and a deep understanding of unit economics have helped him navigate the intensity of fast growth.Tim also discusses how Tradiespec built an international team that is now fully integrated across finance, collections, fleet administration and sales. He explains how offshore talent has improved productivity, strengthened operations, and helped the business scale without compromising culture or quality.For founders, business owners and leaders scaling quickly, this episode offers a raw and practical look at risk, resilience, cash flow, storytelling, offshore teams and building a business that solves a real problem in the market.Find out more about ASW here: https://aswhiteglobal.com/

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries in Australia, but for many people, breaking into the sector can feel overwhelming.In this episode, we sit down with Adam Hewitt, CEO of Cyber Revolution, a fast-growing cybersecurity education company helping Australians gain the skills, certifications and support needed to enter the industry.Adam shares his journey from studying to become a PE teacher, chasing cricket opportunities around the world, and eventually discovering a gap in traditional education: people were earning qualifications, but not always getting the career outcomes they wanted.He explains how Cyber Revolution was built to solve that problem by combining practical skills, recognised certifications and job-focused support for people looking to change careers. Adam also reflects on the company’s rapid growth, the role offshore talent has played in scaling the business, and the systems, culture and values that have helped his team become one of Australia’s leading cybersecurity training providers.The conversation also explores the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, the impact of major data breaches, the role of AI in the industry, and Adam’s perspective on balancing life as a CEO and young father.For business leaders, educators, career changers or anyone interested in the future of cybersecurity, this episode offers a valuable look at what it takes to build a mission-driven company in a rapidly evolving industry.Find out more about ASW here: https://aswhiteglobal.com/

Building a successful wealth management business takes more than financial knowledge. It requires discipline, resilience, strong systems, and the ability to back yourself when the stakes are high.In this episode of Shooting the Breese, we sit down with Kieran Berry, founder of River X, a fast-growing financial advice and investment firm.Kieran shares his journey from growing up in Western Sydney, building discipline through sport, and entering the finance world in a performance-driven environment. From selling stock market newsletters before the GFC to building a substantial client book in wealth management, Kieran explains how years of consistency, client focus and personal financial planning gave him the foundation to launch River X.He also discusses the realities of building a business from the ground up, scaling quickly, hiring advisors, refining the team, and learning that quality matters more than quantity when it comes to growth.The conversation explores the administrative burden in financial services, the importance of strong operational support, and how building an international team has helped River X give advisors more time to focus on clients.Kieran also opens up about the role sport, family and charity play in his life, including his commitment to raising significant funds each year for meaningful causes.For business owners, advisors and leaders looking to scale with discipline and purpose, this episode offers a valuable look at what it takes to build from zero and create something of your own.Find out more about ASW here: https://aswhiteglobal.com/