From $100M to Bankruptcyβand Back Stronger: The Resilient Journey of Brad Jansen
What happens when you build a company with $100 million in annual revenue—only to lose it all?
For Brad Jansen, that wasn’t a hypothetical question. It was his reality.
In Episode 21 of the Energize With Bram podcast, Brad shares his remarkable journey of building a thriving construction and property group, watching it unravel during COVID, and—most importantly—how he found the courage and clarity to rise again.
The Rise: Building a $100M Business
Brad’s entrepreneurial career saw him scaling a vertically integrated business across construction, property development, real estate, and strata management. At its peak, the company turned over more than $100 million a year.
What made it work?
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Systems and scale. Brad designed processes like a production line, driving speed and efficiency.
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Courage and opportunity. He seized every chance to expand, never letting “lazy money” sit idle.
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A strong brand. The Quattro name became known in South Australia for medium- to high-density developments.
But as Brad openly admits, the same aggressive drive to grow also created vulnerabilities.
The Fall: COVID, Supply Chains, and Tough Lessons
When COVID hit, everything changed. Supply chains froze, material costs skyrocketed, and contracts locked in at pre-crisis prices.
Within months, what should have been $10 million in profit turned into a projected $10 million loss. The business was forced into liquidation.
Brad calls this period “the death of a thousand cuts.” But instead of blaming external forces, he asked himself hard questions:
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What could I have done differently?
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How can I prepare better for the next crisis?
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How do I turn this loss into future strength?
The Rebuild: Living “Above the Line”
Brad’s comeback didn’t start with money—it started with mindset.
He embraced what he calls above-the-line thinking: taking full ownership instead of playing the victim of circumstance.
His key lessons for entrepreneurs:
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Keep deeper reserves. Never let ambition override risk management.
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Balance heart with hard calls. Caring for people is vital, but in a crisis, delayed tough decisions can sink a business.
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Nurture your networks. Relationships with capital partners and banks matter before you need them.
The Buckets of Success
Brad credits Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO with helping him rebuild clarity. He applies the five buckets of entrepreneurial success—plus one of his own:
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Health & Fitness – the foundation of high performance.
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Knowledge – keep learning from books, podcasts, and mentors.
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Skills – apply what you learn daily.
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Network – relationships that create opportunities.
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Resources – capital, tools, and partnerships.
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Personal Brand – the expectancy you set through your actions.
By focusing on these buckets, Brad has re-energized his life, career, and next ventures.
Why This Conversation Matters
Every entrepreneur fears failure. But Brad Jansen proves that failure isn’t the end—it’s a forge.
His story is a reminder that resilience, discipline, and ownership are more powerful than any crisis.
π Listen to the full podcast episode
π Watch the interview on YouTube
π Connect with Brad Jansen on LinkedIn
π‘ Your biggest setback could be the foundation for your greatest comeback. Brad’s story shows exactly how.
