Running my companies both in New Zealand and the U.S. was rather successful and allowed me to sell up and retire at age 37. The development of our linguistic robotics system proved the extraordinary revenue and cost savings that can be driven by near entirely automating workplace functions such as admin, sales and customer support roles.

Post retirement, I volunteer as a youth mentor, applying the skills I learned in robotics framework building, to help struggling young people with often very significant behavioural challenges get on a much better track. 

As a volunteer mentor with Business Mentors NZ, I have helped out businesses in a range of different fields, including: knitwear manufacturer, ovary care product producer, sewing pattern maker, retail stores, food producer, financial controller, and several others. In my experience, the vast majority of business complications are marketing problems, and this is an area that I have tremendous experience in. Invariably once the marketing message is optimised, it puts the business well onto the path to financial riches. 

I also volunteer with IHC in Marlborough and work occasionally as a EMA for St John. All these assignments, in addition to being very fulfilling, have the added benefit of helping stop the brain from turning to mush.