Flash Harry's gives tips to Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Bundaberg students

It sounded a bit like a Flash Harry's advertisement when students from schools in Hervey Bay, Maryborough and the Bundaberg region got together at a Funny Business seminar. On Tuesday Feb 17.

Local identity Adrian Hewton, also known as Flash Harry, addressed Year 10 business students at the University of Southern Queensland Fraser Coast campus.

The students are taking part in the university's annual Funny Business competition, in which teams develop and run a business.

Mr Hewton, who was guest speaker, said that to be successful in business it was important for the students to make success their goal, not money.

'You must also have a huge amount of self belief,' he said. 'Be a leader and be proactive.

'And you have got to learn about cash flow. If you can't do a cash flow don't even think about going into business.'

Mr Hewton learnt about business by starting small. He and wife Karen bought a small general store in South Australia many years ago.

He said the store was the greatest knowledge-building experience for the couple.  The Hewtons bought their first store with money they made from property investments.

Mr Hewton told the students that even in the current economic climate, property was a great source of capital growth.

He said that advertising was a key to success. He chose television as a means of just reminding viewers about the store.

'You must let people know what you've got,' he said. 'But basically all I'm doing is saying ‘hi, remember me'.'

And viewers do. Mr Hewton said can't go anywhere these days without being recognised, which was a bit of an embarrassment at times, but was good because he knew his advertising was working.

Flash Harry's has stores in Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Bundaberg, employing more than 40 staff.

Media Contact:  Katrina Corcoran, USQ Media, + 61 7 4194 3167