Troppo Zone Puri Rama Resort, Kuta, Bali

In his early twenties Adrian bought the Puri Rama Resort in Kuta and relaunched it as Troppo Zone Puri Rama Resort. He refurbished all 88 rooms and built the pool bars. At its peak the resort employed about 80 Balinese staff.

Troppo Zone became one of the best-known Australian schoolies resorts in Bali and was sold as an exclusive schoolies package. Adrian sold the resort in 2014. It still trades today under later management, and some staff from his time still work there.

Running the resort is how he learned to speak Indonesian and to do business in Indonesia. He says both skills underpin everything he has done since.

The resort also started his Bali villa portfolio, which he has run since 2014.