Episode 6: Andrew Downs – From a Back Shed to a $230M Enterprise with SAGE Group

In this episode of Owner Insights, James Orchard sits down with Andrew Downs, founder of SAGE Group, to unpack one of Australia’s most compelling business success stories. What began in a back shed with humble aspirations became an international company with 750 employees and $230 million in turnover – and has now been acquired by a US-based Nasdaq-listed company for $150 million, with the potential for even more based on performance. 

Recorded before the sale, Andrew shares how two pivotal events – being sued by his local council, nearly ending the business before it began, and the GFC, which put everything on the line – shaped his thinking around risk, growth, and leadership. From mowing lawns as a teen to becoming a relentless growth-focused entrepreneur, his journey is one of resilience, customer-first thinking, and strategic reinvention.

Andrew also shares hard-earned lessons on debt, the value of mentors, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. Most notably, he reflects on letting go of control to allow SAGE to thrive beyond him and ultimately position it for a major international sale.