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b'Harvee Pene is an accountant, entrepreneur and TEDx speaker based in Brisbane, Australia. Harvee started his first business when he was only 12 years old, saving enough money mowing lawns that he was able to purchase his first investment property at the age of 17! From there he was able to found his own construction training and labor hire company. After studying accounting, he also launched Inspire CA. For every tax dollar this accounting firm saves their clients, they are able to provide a family in need with a day\\u2019s access to food, water, healthcare and sanitation. Harvee is also the co-author of Cashed Up: 7 Steps to Pull More Money, Time and Happiness From Your Business and hosts the podcast Inspiring Businesses for Good.
\\nFor our last episode of 2019, Harvee discusses how his early struggles fostered his entrepreneurial spirit, explains why he changed his focus from construction to accounting, and draws connections between the ritualistic haka dance and his own determined attitude. And if you\\u2019re listening to this on January 31, be sure to cast your vote for the Do Well & Do Good Challenge on our Facebook page ASAP.
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\\nShow Notes:
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\\nWhat was life like for Harvee growing up and how did his circumstances inspire his entrepreneurial spirit?
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\\nHis mother had his older sister when she was very young, and Harvee himself only a few years later. Grew up in a poor socioeconomic area of New Zealand. They moved to Australia for a better opportunity,
\\nBeing entrepreneurial came naturally due to their circumstances; everything on their plates had to be earned in some way.
\\nThe ultimate dream in Australia is to own your own home; inspired by his own parents\\u2019 success in doing so, Harvee sought to own property as well.
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\\nHow was Harvee inspired to save so much money at such a young age?
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\\nHe was drawn to reading business and inspirational books; realized early on that being an entrepreneur could enable him to purchase his own property and help others.
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\\nWhat was the learning curve like for Harvee starting out in small business?
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\\nIn Australia it\\u2019s very easy to work in construction; he built up his own crew by the time he was in his late teens.
\\nClients often underestimated or overlooked him as the leader of his team due to his age and youthful appearance.
\\nHe accepted that age is only a number and is unable to limit how much you\\u2019re able to achieve.
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\\nWhy did he end up selling his construction business and move into accounting?
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\\nWhile he was successful in this line of work, he knew that he didn\\u2019t want to spend his life doing physical labor.
\\nHe sprang on becoming an accountant when seeking out a new career path due to his family\\u2019s past experience with money and wanting to be in a place where financial success was not only secure but part of the job.
\\nAsked a friend who worked in an accounting firm to intern for free; was repeatedly turned down until his friend finally relented.
\\nEnded up starting a consulting firm with his friend, helping other accountants figure out how to do more for their own clients.
\\nThey ended up working with approximately 600 of the top accounting firms in Australia.
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\\nHow did Harvee end up co-founding Inspire CA?
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\\nHis accounting consulting firm was so valuable it was listed on the Australian stock exchange.
\\nHe saw that a boring corporate environment lay in his future, but he wanted to remain hands-on in his work and not like some cog in a machine.
\\nMet his now-business partner Ben Walker, who had the original idea for Inspire CA; once Harvee had the opportunity to leave his job he did so and joined Ben with Inspire.
\\nThey also found a mentor in Paul Dunn and his B1G1 organization (see episode 32); his work pushed them to give back...'