Nick Stehr—Managing Director of HLS Healthcare: Scaling from a One-Man Operation to a National Brand

In this episode of The Leap, we sit down with Nick Stehr, Managing Director of HLS Healthcare, to unpack his incredible business journey—from having no clear path to leading a national healthcare company. Nick didn’t grow up with a burning desire to start a business. In fact, he admits he never really knew what he wanted to do. But what drove him forward was a deep determination to avoid living an average life. That mindset, paired with a relentless work ethic and strong family support, became the foundation for everything that followed.

Nick shares how becoming a teenage father at 18 forced him to grow up fast. With no financial safety net, he and his wife Melissa (now business partner and biggest supporter) made decisions based on pure survival. From managing a Red Rooster to working on a gas pipeline, Nick took jobs that helped him learn the basics of business, leadership, and resilience. These early years—though tough—served as his unexpected apprenticeship, teaching him how to manage people, understand financials, and problem-solve under pressure.

His pivot into sales came through a family connection, which led him to relocate multiple times across the east coast of Australia. Each move helped him build industry experience and networks—though at the time, he had no idea how valuable those connections would become. Eventually, a conversation at a trade show opened the door to buying a small healthcare business. Despite having little money, Nick leaned on his network, found great legal and financial advisors, and negotiated a three-year buy-in structure. It was a huge leap—but as Nick says, “What did I really have to lose?”

Over time, he grew the company from a solo operation to a national team of 50+. There were plenty of challenges: funding growth, bad hires, long sales cycles, and letting go of control. Nick admits that one of his biggest mistakes early on was doing everything himself and not documenting systems. But as the team expanded and new offices opened in other states, he realised the power of hiring strong people and letting them lead. Today, his focus is on building scalable systems and expanding through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

What makes Nick’s story powerful isn’t just the success—it’s how open he is about the failures, the unknowns, and the importance of support. From Melissa’s unwavering belief in him to his advisory board keeping him accountable, Nick proves that while business ownership is tough, it’s also deeply rewarding when you surround yourself with the right people.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to scale, this episode is a must-listen for anyone chasing something bigger.