Bond alumnus James Paulsen and Queensland Leaders connect entrepreneurs with industry expertise, fostering a dynamic network where knowledge and collaboration drive success for local, national, and global businesses.
When James Paulsen embarked on his Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) at Bond University in the early 2000s, he was already making strides in investment banking and private equity. Encouraged by Bond alumnus David Milhouse, one of the University’s earliest students, James saw an opportunity to broaden his strategic thinking and refine his leadership skills. What followed was a career transformation that positioned him as a key player in Australia’s business community.
The Bond advantage
“I’d always wanted to be an entrepreneur but within my corporate role, I was acting as an 'intrapreneur'—running a business within a larger organisation,” says James.
“My EMBA at Bond helped solidify my understanding of business from a strategic, rather than purely operational, perspective.
“The smaller, more intimate learning environment at Bond provided the engagement and support I needed to excel, which was entirely different from my previous undergraduate experiences in large lecture halls.
“And a study trip to Korea and Singapore during my time at Bond opened my eyes to the global connectivity of business.”
From idea to enterprise
A few years after completing his EMBA, James founded Queensland Leaders, an innovative business initiative connecting entrepreneurs with industry experts and growth opportunities.
By 2010, he’d acquired full ownership and embarked on a transformative growth strategy.
“We scaled the business tenfold in two years, using a licensing mechanism to expand the Queensland Leaders business model to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom,” explains James.
“I never would have been able to do it as an employee but when you know everything rests on your shoulder, you get the drive to make those sorts of opportunities happen.”
The Bond advantage
“I’d always wanted to be an entrepreneur but within my corporate role, I was acting as an 'intrapreneur'—running a business within a larger organisation,” says James.
“My EMBA at Bond helped solidify my understanding of business from a strategic, rather than purely operational, perspective.
“The smaller, more intimate learning environment at Bond provided the engagement and support I needed to excel, which was entirely different from my previous undergraduate experiences in large lecture halls.
“And a study trip to Korea and Singapore during my time at Bond opened my eyes to the global connectivity of business.”
From idea to enterprise
A few years after completing his EMBA, James founded Queensland Leaders, an innovative business initiative connecting entrepreneurs with industry experts and growth opportunities.
By 2010, he’d acquired full ownership and embarked on a transformative growth strategy.
“We scaled the business tenfold in two years, using a licensing mechanism to expand the Queensland Leaders business model to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom,” explains James.
“I never would have been able to do it as an employee but when you know everything rests on your shoulder, you get the drive to make those sorts of opportunities happen.”
Strategic scaling
Queensland Leaders is built on a simple yet powerful principle: connecting business owners with the expertise and experience they need to achieve their strategic goals. James describes the Leaders business as an investment banking platform. “We’re doing the same thing as platform companies like Uber and Airbnb, where they connect buyers and sellers with a framework for everyone to engage,” says James.
“We're working with private company owners and connecting them with the experts and the experience they need to fulfil their dreams.
“Our model has been instrumental in the success of numerous companies, including Corporate Travel Management—now a $4 billion global company—and Code Heroes, which developed the Queensland Government’s digital driver’s license platform.”
A new era of leadership
James’ leadership philosophy has evolved over time. Reflecting on his early years as a business owner, he acknowledges he once struggled with micromanagement and pressure-driven decision-making. Today, he says having trust, flexibility, and a proactive mindset are essential in navigating an increasingly complex economic landscape.
“In all my 30 years of working, I've never seen so much change in complexity in operating a business—and no static leader can manage that,” he says. “You need perspective, understanding, and empathy for the people around you.
“Each day I’m a much better leader than I was the day previously and it’s a journey we all go on.”
A Queensland Leaders Connect event.
A Queensland Leaders Connect event.
A strategic partnership
In 2024, Bond University and Queensland Leaders announced a partnership, reinforcing the University’s commitment to supporting students and alumni and driving strong industry connections.
James sees this collaboration as a natural fit. “It provides the Bond community with valuable networking opportunities and insights from experienced business leaders,” he says.
“This partnership will boost confidence and sophistication within the entrepreneurial landscape of Queensland and beyond.”
Advice for future entrepreneurs
For Bond students and recent graduates looking to advance their careers, James emphasises the importance of building authentic professional relationships, maintaining integrity, and valuing every interaction.
“It’s about investing in yourself, the relationships around you, and having integrity in all your interactions,” he says.
“Since COVID, we’ve seen a ‘ghosting’ trend in professional settings, where people don't return calls or prioritise communication.
“Long-term success hinges on personal brand and reputation, so treat every engagement like it’s your next opportunity, be accountable, and simply treat others as you wish to be treated.”
Looking ahead
As for the future, James is focused on strengthening Queensland Leaders’ presence on the Gold Coast and exploring further global opportunities.
With nearly two decades of entrepreneur experience behind him, he remains committed to creating business communities where knowledge, collaboration, and trust drive sustainable growth.
“It's an evolution for me, and we’re talking to our larger partners about expanding the model into different countries,” says James.
“Historically, I grew the business pretty much by myself but I’ve learned collaboration is the better way to grow, so that's something we'll be exploring.
“We just want to build on the strength we've had to date in creating this sustainable, self-sufficient model that allows dynamic companies to have a great ecosystem to operate and engage with.”
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