Over the break, my siblings and I embarked on a meaningful project: digitising six decades of cherished family slides. These snapshots of life—grandparents, extended family, friends, holidays, and milestones. Amid this nostalgic journey, I found myself contemplating the passage of time, both in my personal life and my 25 years in business.
Returning from this break, I step into the 2025 business year, marking my 26th year in business. It’s an opportunity to not only consider the successes and challenges of the last year but also to reflect on the past 25 years—the achievements, setbacks, and the impact my journey has had on the people around me. These moments of introspection have led me to share a personal story about my father, Brian Miller.
Celebrating a Milestone and Looking Back
On 8th December, I celebrated my company’s 25th anniversary—a significant milestone in a rapidly shifting business landscape. Over two-and-a-half decades, I’ve seen remarkable changes, from evolving technologies to new ways of working. As I embark on my 26th year, I feel older, sometimes wiser, and definitely still learning.
Among the many reflections this milestone, 25 years in business, has inspired, one stands out: the role my father played in shaping my entrepreneurial journey. I believe the drive to innovate and create stemmed from his example.
Lessons From Dad: A Legacy in Business and Life
Brian Miller was a man of action and resourcefulness. Despite lacking a family history in business, or even a belief in his own academic prowess, he pursued opportunities with determination. Leaving school at 15 with a ‘Leaving Certificate,’ Dad trained as a mechanic before branching out into various enterprises. From domestic and school milk runs to mechanical repairs, he built a life balancing hard work with adaptability.
The decision by the Whitlam Government to abolish school milk runs in 1973 eliminated our family’s main income source overnight. Dad pivoted, driving taxis, delivering newspapers, and doubling down on his mechanical repair business. He had a knack for spotting opportunities—whether it was real estate or business—and even returned to TAFE to master the latest automatic transmission innovations.
Despite limited resources, Dad grew his customer base through word of mouth and a Yellow Pages listing. I remember answering the landline and relaying messages to his customers, unknowingly absorbing the rhythms of entrepreneurship. His work ute, transformed by a sign writer’s unpaid bill, became an unlikely symbol of his enterprise. That bright yellow ute, bearing the name “Automatic Centre Sandgate,” was a constant presence during my teenage years. I even learnt to drive in it—a ‘3 on the tree’ manual.
A Legacy That Lives On
My father died at just 38 years old, yet his legacy endures. He instilled in us the value of education and hard work.
Over the years I have certainly missed Dad and the opportunity to seek his guidance as I found my own way in the world and in business. He had aspirations for his children, he definitely believed we girls should get an education and he’d be delighted that we both graduated from University, and that my brother and I, pursued entrepreneurship
Here’s to Brian Miller (26 February 1943 – 8 September 1981). I wonder if he ever thought about the legacy he’d leave behind. His influence remains, reminding me of the power of resilience, adaptability, and the legacy we leave behind.
The initial version of this article was posted celebrating 25 years in business on Lenore Miller’s Linkedin Profile