From Junkyard to Digital Mentor: Laurie Smale’s Reinvention at 79
Hello , Picture the 1950s, an Australia lit by kerosene lamps, where the ‘night man’ made his rounds, and a boy’s future seemed tied to the junkyard. That’s where Laurie Smale’s story begins—a childhood shaped by hardship, silence, and the warmth of an old junk dealer named Bill. At 13, after relentless humiliation by a maths teacher, Laurie fled school for the glow of a Frankston tile factory furnace. What followed wasn’t a straight path—but a journey of courage, setbacks, and self-discovery. In this deeply moving episode of the Wisepreneurs Podcast, Laurie returns—not just to reflect, but to lead. At 78, when most are slowing down, he reinvented himself yet again—mastering digital tools, launching a YouTube series, and sharing stories that spark something in all of us who’ve lived a little, fallen a lot, and still believe we have more to give. “Fear is fear—whether you’re 18 or 78,” he says. “But if you face it, even gently, that’s when the magic begins.” Think of Laurie’s story not just as a life lived, but as a map for what’s possible—even now, even later
Laurie traces a path from hardship to reinvention—proving how one quiet life can speak volumes. If you’ve ever doubted that reinvention is possible, prepare to change your mind. Episode #70 Laurie Smale on Reinvention, Mentorship, and Technology out Friday 6 June
Laurie returned to school decades after leaving, graduated with Honors, and now uses digital tools and social media to connect with others—all while staying curious and adaptable. “It keeps me engaged, it keeps me active, it keeps me learning,” he says—offering a grounded reminder that reinvention isn’t abstract; it’s lived, one step at a time. Laurie Smale on Reinvention, Mentorship, and Technology out Friday 6 June. Because reinvention doesn’t have an expiry date. Nigel Rawlins Founder, Wisepreneurs |
