Business – Expect the unexpected

Recently, I had the privilege of returning to my old stomping ground, Ōrewa College, to speak to a group of students celebrating excellence in last year’s NCEA results. As I looked out at this group of high schoolers on the verge of entering the real world, I couldn’t help but reflect on what I wish I had known at their age.

At 17, it can feel like your choices now will define your entire career. The truth? They won’t. You will pivot. You will change. You will take opportunities that weren’t even on your radar. And in many cases, that’s exactly how success happens.

Over the past 20 years, my own career has taken many turns. I started out working hands-on jobs – cleaning cars, working at McDonald’s, and scooping ice cream – before moving into property management. Then, I ran for local government and became an elected councillor, making decisions that shaped the community.

From there, I found myself in media, hosting a radio show, which led me into the world of communications and stakeholder engagement. I worked on major international events, helping to deliver the America’s Cup and coordinating with world leaders for APEC. Then, I stepped away from government and event management to enter the construction and business sector, working at GJ Gardner Homes before ultimately leaping into starting my own business. And now? At 39, I’m on the verge of doing it all again – starting over once more.

This isn’t unusual – it’s becoming the new normal. The younger generation today won’t just have one career. They’ll have many. They’ll create their own industries, build businesses in ways that haven’t been done before, and work in jobs that don’t even exist yet. The key is to stay adaptable.

During my talk, I played a rally crash video from a few years ago – a big crash I was involved in that flipped everything upside down in an instant. Rallying is all about precision, teamwork, and planning. But no matter how well you prepare, things can change in an instant. That’s true in business, too.

So, for those about to take their next steps, here’s what I wish someone had told me at 17:

Don’t overthink things. Most people are too busy worrying about themselves to be judging you.

Say ‘yes’ to opportunities – early on, explore the yes’s, and max out your bandwidth.

The world is shifting fast. You will be the one shaping the next wave of business and technology.

Keep moving forward. You don’t need the perfect plan – you need to start.

At the end of the day, character, resilience, and adaptability are what count.

A massive thanks to Wiri Warriner and Ōrewa College for having me – it’s always a privilege to share insights with the next generation of business leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.