“Appointing me gave Stephen the confidence to retire. He’s still the owner and comes in occasionally, but he no longer has to be here. He knows the business is in good hands with myself and his children, Emma and Matt. They’ve grown into their roles too and now have the confidence to run things.” 

Harvey grew up in Sydney as the youngest of seven children in a family where small business was part of everyday life. His father ran several successful ventures in auto and engine parts over the years – including one originally founded by Harvey’s grandfather. Although Harvey didn’t join the family business straight out of school, the entrepreneurial spirit clearly ran in his veins. 

He followed his early passion for photography into his first job at a camera and photo development shop. That led to managing a new store with its own photo processing lab – the start of a long and successful career running small businesses. 

Later, Harvey joined his father’s company as a sales representative. “That’s where I really began to understand the importance of customer relationships,” he explains. “I learned how to read people, and to figure out what they really want and need.” It’s a lesson that would serve him well in the years to come. 

Around age 30, a new opportunity came knocking. Through mutual friends, he met the owner of an international toy manufacturer looking to expand into the Australian market. Harvey took on the challenge of building the local operation from the ground up, eventually supplying major retailers like Target, Myer, David Jones, Spotlight, and Big W. “That’s where I learned about quality control, logistics, supply chains, and negotiation. Being transparent with customers about delays – not avoiding hard conversations – that builds real trust.” 

After nearly a decade in that fast-paced, international travel-heavy role, Harvey stepped away to focus on his health and family. With the arrival of his first child, he took his first extended break since leaving school, flipping houses in Sydney and enjoying a slower pace of life. 

Then came an unexpected call from the father of his best friend: “I bought a farm in Berry – do you know how to fence?” Harvey did. What began as a part-time project turned into a full-time move for his family to the South Coast. 

Over time, he helped transform the rugged 40-acre property into profitable farmland. Starting with just six alpacas, he and his friend built a thriving alpaca breeding business of 200 within 18 months – eventually expanding to over  5500 animals. They pioneered electronic tagging systems for alpacas to automate operations like weighing, medicating, and fleece classification. Harvey also applied his international business knowledge to expand into live export markets in Turkey, Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand, and China. “We were the largest alpaca herd outside of South America,” he says. “Eventually, we even bought a third farm near Crookwell and expanded into meat production.” 

To support that side of the business, they purchased the Milton Abattoir – which Harvey turned around within 18 months, navigating the complex logistics and compliance challenges that came with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

After the abattoir was sold, Harvey once again took a break – but not for long. “I’d played enough golf,” he laughs. “It was time to go back to work.” He began looking for General Manager roles, open to something different but meaningful. 

“Sometimes you have to look past what you think you need and look more broadly,” Harvey reflects. That mindset led him to a conversation – not an interview, he says – with Stephen Cooke of Cooke’s Tyres, a 64-year-old family business. Stephen had been looking to step back from daily operations for some time, and finally, the timing was right.

“After COVID, we were all feeling pretty worn out and got to the point where our options were either to sell the business or find someone to manage it,” Stephen says. “We had no idea where to start with recruitment, but with Think Regional’s help, we found Harvey. We honestly didn’t think we were big enough to attract someone of Harvey’s calibre, so we were thrilled to have him come on board.”

Harvey’s arrival proved to be a turning point. “Appointing me gave Stephen the confidence to retire,” Harvey explains. “He’s still the owner and comes in occasionally, but he no longer has to be here. He knows the business is in good hands with myself and his children, Emma and Matt. They’ve grown into their roles too and now have the confidence to run things.”

Stephen recently began his long-awaited retirement, heading off on a European holiday with peace of mind that his legacy is secure. “I’ve been able to take a back seat since Harvey arrived and allow him, Emma, and Matt to slide into their roles really well,” Stephen reflects. “He’s adapted to a new industry incredibly quickly – it’s been pretty remarkable to watch.”

Harvey is enjoying the next chapter with the Cooke family and their team. “They’re amazing. They go above and beyond to help customers save money, and customers return that loyalty. It’s a great culture.” 

With fresh eyes, Harvey has already made a big impact. He secured a deal to bring the entire Shoalhaven Council truck fleet over to using Cooke’s in-house retreaded tyres. “We helped them save money and reduce environmental impact at the same time. It’s been a great win.” 

A Lesson in Business Succession 

Harvey’s story is more than just a winding career path – it’s a testament to the value of adaptability, relationships, and finding the right fit. For Stephen, and other business owners wishing to retire it was about choosing someone who can carry the torch and protect the culture they’ve built over decades. For Harvey, it was about recognising when it’s time for something new and being open to opportunities that don’t always look how you expect. 

Business owners thinking about succession planning can take heart: the right fit is out there. Harvey’s journey proves that with the right person, the next chapter can be a great one – for both the business and its people.