From Failed Startup to Businesses in 6 Countries | Jeff Burke

Jeff (Jeffrey) Burke, a Pilbara-based civil construction operator and international entrepreneur. Jeff describes how a failed motorcycle-brand idea in Vietnam led to the creation and rapid growth of Onya Bike Adventures, now operating in six countries, as well as a paint manufacturing company, Revolution Paint. He reflects on Vietnam’s appeal, its rawness, family-centered culture, and homestay experiences, and how the business began as a “hobby” that unexpectedly exploded. Shifting to the core theme of influence, Jeff explains that for him, influence is about the “center of influence”, the people you surround yourself with. Throughout his career, from early days as an apprentice working for a successful Canberra builder who helped him buy his first block of land, to his time at Rio Tinto, to learning from billionaires and experts (including time on Necker Island with Richard Branson), Jeff has deliberately sought out capable, values-aligned people, asked them lots of questions, and modeled their thinking. He emphasizes constant learning through mentors, self-development (e.g., Tony Robbins programs), and voracious reading as the engine behind his business growth and personal development.

Takeaways:

• Influence = proximity to the right people Jeff sees influence as the “center of influence” around you—deliberately choosing to be near experts, high performers, and people who think bigger, then learning by asking lots of questions.

• Apprentice mindset never stops From his early days with a wealthy Canberra builder who helped him into land development to modern-day billionaires and business leaders, Jeff consistently approaches others as a learner, not as “the expert.”

• Turn setbacks into new ventures His original motorcycle brand in Vietnam failed, but that exposure opened the door to adventure motorcycle touring and Revolution Paint, which then grew far beyond the original “hobby” idea.

Quotes:

1. On influence and proximity

“For me, influence is really about the center of influence – the people around you at the time. I’m always looking for who’s the expert, who’s done well, then I get around them and ask a lot of questions.” – Jeff Burke

1. On learning and self-development

“I’m constantly reading and listening. I don’t waste time with radio or TV – I’ve always got a book or audio on. You might read something and think there’s not much in it, then six months later one piece pops up and changes how you handle an opportunity.” – Jeff Burke

1. On work, luck, and opportunity

“Yeah, there’s luck in success, but you’ve still got to get up every day and earn the luck. Constant education and being open to opportunity – that’s what lets you move when something like COVID or a crash hits.” – Jeff Burke

Timestamps:

01:00 – Anton introduces the Find Your Influence podcast and Jeff Burke’s background across WA civil construction and Vietnam ventures

04:00 – Jeff explains going to Vietnam, the failed motorcycle brand, and how adventure bike tours and Revolution Paint began

06:43 – Jeff describes Vietnam homestays, village life, and how the “hobby” bike tour business grew into six countries

08:07 – Jeff defines influence as his “center of influence” and the importance of surrounding himself with experts

11:35 – Jeff discusses diversification, building nine companies, and learning from high-level entrepreneurs on Necker Island

17:39 – Jeff talks about early influencers, a Canberra builder who helped him buy land, and his heavy focus on self-development and audiobooks

19:10 – Jeff and Anton dive into learning M&A with JT Fox, Dennis, and Adam Coffey, and buying companies instead of only building from scratch

21:50 – Jeff shares how Adam Coffey shifted his focus to culture, A-players, and working on the business, not in it

25:35 – Discussion of discipline, daily training, and how endurance events and the gym support performance in business

30:00 – Jeff reflects on who he’s most proud of: his younger self, his kids, and the people he’s developed in his businesses

32:50 – Jeff talks about his Vietnamese wife, elevating women in the family, and creating a stable home life that supports his work

39:01 – Jeff and Anton connect dots between coaching, JT’s events, Adam Coffey, and the power of saying yes to big opportunities

43:21 – Jeff explains how a Tony Robbins event during the GFC led to a Defense Housing deal that saved his business

46:32 – Conversation on “luck,” preparation, recovering from setbacks, and the idea that the harder you work, the luckier you get

51:00 – Jeff’s closing focus on legacy, contribution, and building businesses that support future generations, not just money

Conclusion:

Jeff Burke’s journey leaves us with a powerful blueprint: put yourself in the right rooms, stay endlessly curious, and be prepared to reinvent when things don’t go to plan. From an apprentice chippy learning property from a local builder to international ventures in Vietnam to scaling multiple companies and playing in the M&A space, Jeff shows that success isn’t a single breakthrough—it’s the compound effect of who you surround yourself with, what you’re willing to learn, and how hard you’re prepared to work. And now, with his focus firmly on health, leadership, and legacy, Jeff reminds us that the real game is building something that outlives us while enjoying the process along the way. If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a nudge to level up their own center of influence—and start choosing your “hard” a little more intentionally from today.