Troy Yewdall // Founder & Principal // Aspect Advisory Co.
Community and Background:
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to the Berry community? How did you end up here and what attracted you to this community?
It was a long one… My wife & I were fortunate enough to get married down this way almost 20yrs ago and we have been making our way back here ever since. That word community! We crave it and along with our young family, are keen to contribute towards it. Country by the coast and a tempo of living that allows us to move to our own beat.
Business and Entrepreneurship:
Tell us about your work. How and when did you decide to start it, and what motivated you to take the plunge into entrepreneurship or remote work?
Aspect Advisory Co. helps businesses achieve clarity in position, confidence in direction, and results in execution. We work with organisations to solve growth and performance challenges, turning insight into clear direction and measurable, practical outcomes.
I originally established it as a Founder-led Management Consultancy in 2014; a few months after my wife had our first children (twin girls), we’ve had a boy since too. Most of my career had been in demanding international and national roles, I travelled often and wanted more influence on my time and better balance (person, parent, partner and professional). I was also keen to broaden my experience base, adding value via embedded executions across multiple businesses.
Toggle to today and following a consulting contract that turned into a long-term opportunity to head up a national franchise retail business within Wesfarmers – We have finally made that move South!
I have re-launched Aspect, with refreshed perspectives and renewed energy to see what businesses I will connect with next and where that might take them (and me).
What does work-life balance look like for you? How do you manage the demands of work while ensuring time for family and personal life?
Now this could be controversial… but I prefer to think of it as life-work balance. Life looks like a focus on family, friends and fun, with work providing the means to enable it. Whilst I like my free time to be flowy; my work time is and has to be more structured. Operating rhythms, consistency and cadence are key for me. When I travel, it is always for more than one reason. When I am working from WorkLife or the home office, it is about time blocking, short and long span variations and frequent breaks throughout the day.
In your industry, what recent disruptions or transitions have had the most significant impact on your business?
I could say AI, but that would be cliche… it is a revolution that is and will affect all industries. Across SME businesses (which is where I focus), the current economic outlook, government policy, inflationary pressures on the cost of doing business (I could go on) – are all combining to create a more dynamic and challenging climate than we have seen in some time. What I am advising my clients is that whilst the macro head winds might not feel favourable at the moment, like a storm – it too will pass. Focus on the micro things that matter right now, ensure each pillar of your business is structurally sound and set-up for success, ready to sail down wind and scale, when those trade winds turn.
Personal Life:
Outside of work, what are your hobbies and passions? How do you like to spend your time when you’re not focused on business or family?
Outdoor Adventure! I am aspiring waterman (google it, it’s a thing) – surfing, waterskiing (behind my vintage V8 ski boat), free diving, kayaking, sailing when I can, most recently I have taken on learning to wing foil (way harder than it looks, but super fun). I am also a lover of nature more broadly, as a family we do “Advantures” (that’s camping in our VW van), I also mountain bike, hike, work in the garden and enjoy growing food. OK – so I don’t sit still much, but when I do, it’s in the sun, stretching, breathwork, the occasional meditation and of course hammock time. I recently combined my love of adventure with some breathwork at altitude – skydiving over Wollongong for an elevated aspect on all things South Coast living!
Are there any books or podcasts you’ve found particularly inspiring or informative recently? Any recommendations for the WorkLife community?
Can I swear? The first “Subtle art of not giving a F*ck” book was a bit fun, with some frank life insights. I enjoyed “The Wim Hoff Method” – it’s a book on the power of cold training and breathing, designed to help readers boost health and increase energy. My last read was a ripper “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, and it’s all Small Stuff” – a series of short format hacks that keep things in perspective, particularly important in a world of relentless pace.
How do you maintain boundaries between work and personal life? Any top tips?
This is something I am working on every day – a constant focus, and it isn’t easy to master (I’m not sure I would believe anyone who told me they had it all figured out). I liked this quote from the book Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: “Remind yourself that when you die, your in-basket won’t be empty.” The point being that almost everything can wait, and nothing is more important than your own sense of happiness, inner peace, and that of your loved ones. I find this helps in managing the boundaries and limits the overflows.
Home and Lifestyle:
What is your taste like? Do you have a favourite item of furniture or object in your home? Anything that has special significance or tells a story about you?
I folded a surfboard once – that means I broke it in a big swell (not as cool as it sounds) and rendered it ‘decorative’. That now decorative surfboard, takes pride of place in my office, not as a reminder to try and match my ability to the moment… (although that is good advice for me), but because my then 8, 8 & 6yr olds carefully hand-decorated it with a montage of eclectic colour doodles that transport me directly to the wonder and innocence of them at any moment, it’s a great grounding piece and never fails to make me smile or give me joy. I also am the proud owner of a John Deere lawn tractor and an Akubra, they are my answer to that trending song “baby, where the hell is my husband, what is taking him so long…”
What do you like/appreciate about the design at WorkLife? Any favourite touches or things that make you feel at home when you are at work?
The coffee machine! It is authentic (no pods here) and takes time to learn and apply to achieve outstanding results (like good things should). I enjoy the small social table settings and the warmth and view from that northern aspect Berry window in winter. The outdoor timber bar tables are also a winner across both shoulder seasons – nothing beats a dose of fresh air and a shot of sunshine in your day. The PEOPLE… you are all there for variations on the same theme, it is so enjoyable to get to know the broader WorkLife community.
If you were to showcase the best of the local lifestyle to visiting friends, where would you take them and why?
Surely this is everyone’s longest answer section… For me the AM would start with a Seven Mile beach sunrise, or a Werri Point rock jump into a cold, pumping southeast swell. There is a good chance I nabbed a piccolo from IV Berry on my way and am likely dropping into the Blue Swimmer cafe Gerroa for my post session, second injection. Taking the kids to either skate / pump tracks at Shoalhaven Heads or Boongaree in Berry followed by the endless options for treats from bakeries to donuts, ice-cream, to fudge. In the PM there are no shortage of great pubs and wineries with world class views – Mountain Ridge is a stand-out. That is just a day – not to mention the markets, festivals, events, oh and Bundanon (you must go there!)
Productivity and Time Management:
What’s your go-to productivity hack? How do you stay organised and efficient, especially with multiple responsibilities?
It is constantly evolving, there was a time I would have said my diary, calendar etc… now I am on MS Planner and To-Do. I think whatever platform you use, the important thing is commitment and consistency. Take the time to do your hard thinking, it will save you hard work later. Try single tasking – do the most difficult thing on your to do list first and don’t stop till it’s done. As a strategic thinker and “i” for those who know DiSC profiles, the open browser risk is real for me, so that firm focus is really valuable to GSD.
Benefits of WorkLife Membership:
Lastly, what’s been the most valuable aspect of being a member at WorkLife for you and your work?
The flexibility and friendliness. I landed on the South Coast with a lot of moving parts in my life, one of the first things I did was wander into the WorkLife office in Berry, introduced myself to Kate and Sophie and said help / how does this work and how do I get started? I am not a regular day stayer, but having the optionality when it works for me is really important. Being able to access the Coledale office for times I am headed North for travel or coming South from a trip, is also super convenient and I enjoy the variety, with that sense of familiarity.
