Early Life and Education
Michael Sherlock was born in 1951 to a carpenter and a train driver. He attended Monash University in the early 1970s, participating in a bonded teacher program. During this time, he became involved with a health and education foundation led by a yoga-teaching Indian guru, which significantly influenced his life choices. After backpacking around the world for four years, Michael returned to Australia and became a part of the yoga foundation, which had established an old-style bakery shop in Melbourne.
Journey to Brumby’s
In 1981, Michael moved with the foundation to Warwick, Queensland, to create an alternative lifestyle community based on yoga principles. Initially, he purchased a fruit shop, which he later converted into one of the group’s bakeries, now known as Brumby’s. Although the bakery initially flourished, the foundation soon faced financial difficulties, leading to its receivership, which put the future of Brumby’s in jeopardy.
Determined to salvage the bakery chain, Michael orchestrated a consortium of franchisees, management, and suppliers to acquire Brumby’s from the ruins of the foundation. At this point, Brumby’s shares were valued at only 1 cent each. However, under Michael’s leadership, the franchise experienced a remarkable turnaround.
Transformation and Success
As the director responsible for franchise recruitment and site identification, and later as CEO, Michael spearheaded Brumby’s transformation from a struggling entity with 138 stores to a respected franchise system boasting over 320 bakeries, including the innovative Brumby’s Go! stores. By 2007, the ASX-listed Retail Food Group made an unconditional offer of $3.40 for each Brumby’s share, which represented a staggering six-fold increase from its initial public offering price of 56 cents on the Bendigo Stock Exchange in late 2003.
Industry Influence and Speaking Engagements
Michael’s innovative management techniques and business strategies gained recognition, leading to appearances on television and features in various newspapers and magazines in Australia and New Zealand. He became a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences, where his practical approach to combining theory with real-life experiences resonated with audiences.
Academic Contributions and Consulting
After Brumby’s successful sale to Retail Food Group in a hostile takeover in 2007 for $47 million, Michael transitioned to consulting, writing, and speaking. He served on the boards of several companies, including Krispy Kreme and Cold Rock, and was appointed an Adjunct Professor at Griffith University in 2013 in recognition of his contributions to franchising.
Michael is also co-author of the best-selling book Jumpsuit!, which delves into business transformation strategies. His extensive experience in the franchise sector has positioned him as a respected figure in commercial real estate.
Personal Life
Michael Sherlock resides in Brisbane with his wife, Jenny. The couple has four children: two adult sons, Justin and Tim, and two younger children, Adam and Estella. Michael’s personal interests include spending time with family and friends, traveling, following AFL, music, cricket, reading, and wine collection. He aspires to keep the number of countries he visits ahead of his age.
Legacy and Philosophy
Through his journey from a yoga cult member to a leading figure in the bakery franchise sector, Michael Sherlock exemplifies resilience and transformative leadership. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, showcasing that with determination and innovative thinking, remarkable success can be achieved against all odds.
