Episode Summary

On this episode of The Australian Business Show, Adam Schwab joins Nick Stehr to talk about his journey from law to business, founder mode vs manager mode, how much luck is needed to succeed, how Luxury Escapes filled a void in the travel market, innovating business during challenging times, recruiting and retaining quality people, and Adam’s ideal dinner party guests.

Adam is the Co-Founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes, the Non-Executive Director at Lux Everyday, Co-Founder of the Digicit Melbourne Chapter, Non-Executive Director of Myeloma Australia, and Venture Partner at Aura Group, as well as Investment Committee Member of Save The Children Australia, Mentor at Startmate, and the Co-Host of The Contrarians Podcast. He also Co-Founded MyTable (acquired by Menulog and later sold to JustEat) and Living Corporate Apartments.

In 2010, Adam released his Amazon Bestseller, Pigs at The Trough: Lessons from Australia’s Decade of Corporate Greed. Since 2014, he has been on the BRW Young Rich list, and in 2015, CEO Magazine named him the Australian Young Executive of the Year.

In his spare time, Adam runs Melbourne Marathons barefoot to raise funds for the Myeloma Foundation of Australia.

Timestamp Segments

• [00:43 ] Adam’s background.
• [03:27 ] How Adam finds the time.
• [07:18 ] Getting into business.
• [11:30 ] Founder Mode.
• [14:44 ] The luck factor.
• [19:42 ] Finding the travel niche.
• [22:43 ] Defining luck.
• [26:06 ] Scaling a business during challenging times.
• [32:05 ] Recruiting and retaining quality people.
• [40:59 ] How challenges have changed over time.
• [46:57 ] What’s driving Adam?
• [48:59 ] Who would Adam invite to a dinner party?
• [49:45 ] The Contrarians Podcast.

Notable Quotes

• “Luck is the biggest thing.”
• “Luck is […] being at the right place at the right time.”
• “If it’s not working for the employer, it’s probably not working for the employee.”

Relevant Links

Adam Schwab.

luxuryescapes.com.

thecontrarianspod.com.