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Lawrence Lam

Chemist Warehouse founder reveals his success secrets, Part 2

Jack Gance is one of Australia's most successful entrepreneurs having built two market leaders from scratch. Here is the story of how he founded Chemist Warehouse and expanded it into today's retailing behemoth.

Chemist Warehouse founder reveals his success secrets

Jack Gance is a rare entrepreneur who’s created two market-leading businesses from scratch. He reveals how he started with limited capital, how he scaled up with innovative marketing and the lessons learned.

How Barry Lambert beat the banks at their own game

Barry Lambert’s lessons apply not only to business, but to life and are an insight into the behavioural differences which make founder-led companies a special hunting ground for investors.

Eight quick lessons on the intricacies of selling shares

When we think about investing, we think about buying. The intricacies of the selling decisions are frequently overlooked, and poor selling is correlated to a lack of conviction. Selling is as important as buying.

Avoid the acronyms and go for hidden niches

Don’t let the headlines and buzz acronyms deceive you. The long-term opportunities lie with specialist manufacturers that make product-critical components with very few competitors.

The 'founder' mindset of an astute investor

Founder-led companies and 'entrepreneurial investors' make better, calculated judgements and tap into experiences which give them an advantage over more conservative investors.

Latest Updates

Financial planning

How much does it really cost to raise a child?

With fertility rates at a record low, many say young people aren’t having kids because they’re too expensive. Turns out, it’s not that simple and there are likely other factors at play.

Exchange traded products

Passive ETF investors may be in for a rude shock

Passive ETFs have become wildly popular just as markets, especially the US, reach extreme valuations. For long-term investors, these ETFs make sense, though if you're investing in them to chase performance, look out below.

Shares

Bank reporting season scorecard November 2025

The Big Four banks shrugged off doomsayers with their recent results, posting low loan losses, solid margins, and rising dividends. It underscores their resilience, but lofty valuations mean it’s time to be selective. 

Investment strategies

The real winners from the AI rush

AI is booming, but like the 19th-century gold rush, the real profits may go to those supplying the tools and energy, not the companies at the centre of the rush.

Economy

Why economic forecasts are rarely right (but we still need them)

Economic experts, including the RBA, get plenty of forecasts wrong, but that doesn't make such forecasts worthless. The key isn't to predict perfectly – it's to understand the range of possibilities and plan accordingly.

Strategy

13 reflections on wealth and philanthropy

Wealth keeps growing, yet few ask “how much is enough?” or what their kids truly need. After 23 years in philanthropy, I’ve seen how unexamined wealth can limit impact, and why Australia needs a stronger giving culture.

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