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The man who has had moments in business more colourful than the rainbow

When you hear that statement and know Brad, you understand it's not just true—it's probably understated. He describes himself as a high-functioning, quick-thinking, and quick-acting individual. As the owner of more than five businesses, he believes you have to be sharp to stay ahead in the game.

Brad left school at 15 after being asked to leave due to disruptive behaviour—though, in his words, “I just talked too much.” Falling in with the wrong crowd, Brad soon became the wrong crowd, engaging in tagging, fighting, and petty theft. One day, he got into a car with friends, only to find out later that the car was stolen and had been involved in a burglary. When the police pulled them over, his ‘friends’ pinned everything on him. This landed Brad in the system, but fortunately, he was placed in the ‘Task Force Green’ program, where he trained to be a chef.

His first job was as a chef at Jack Rabbit Slims on Manchester Street, where long hours saved him from the fate of many of his friends—jail. Working kept him too busy to get into trouble. After a year and a half, Brad wanted to make more money and headed to Wanaka to work in a shearing gang. However, rural life wasn’t for him, so he returned to Christchurch, spending some time ‘hustling.’