Tom O'Toole: baker extraordinaire, kindergarten failure-turned-author and inspirational speaker, and founder of the famous Beechworth Bakery.
He may be somewhat small-town, but small-town or not, he is a marketing guru who dares to - and does - walk the talk. O'Toole is to Beechworth Bakery what Colonel Saunders is to KFC. But unlike the Colonel, Tom isn't content with being a cardboard cut-out. He wants to talk, be seen and be heard. He gives Beechworth Bakery its unique character.
Tom O'Toole is a juggernaut in the competitive world of retail marketing. A self-confessed kindergarten dropout from dirt-poor origins who didn't know his ABCs, he is living proof of the power of striving for your dreams. With a formidable sense of humour and an enthusiasm bordering on inspired frantic madness, he has spearheaded the rebirth of a dying country town by turning his bakery into a phenomenon of Australian small business, which continues to gather strength and speed.
Tom is a firm believer in getting out of your comfort zone and daring to be different. Says he, 'In every town and business, there has to be the wow factor; wow is the answer'. It is precisely this almost obsessive thinking outside the square, this continuous pushing of the envelope that keeps Beechworth Bakery far from being just another run-of-the-mill food outlet. It is this attitude that ensures the $15 million turnover every year (and counting), making Beechworth Bakery one of the top-selling retail bakeries in the Southern Hemisphere.
Current work
Speaker: Tom's passion for spreading the word on motivation and achievement has resulted in a natural 'metamorphosis' with speaking engagements throughout Australia and overseas. He happily shares the secrets of his success through a range of products, articles, DVDs, workshops and speaking engagements, and is a rare act to follow. When he talks, all distractions fall by the wayside. The sudden crescendo in his voice is like caffeine to his audience; everyone sits up and takes notice. No exceptions.
Awards
In 2018, he was awarded a Queen's Birthday honour for services to local business and for his incredible charity work.
