The Story of Alkira Resort House from David Brandi

Written By Andrew Ford

The Alkira Resort House isn’t just real estate to me; it’s a place of history, and an untold narrative waiting to unfold.

Funnily enough, my journey with Alkira was an unexpected one. I was constantly working and when I got the call to head up to this property for inspection, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to spend some time with my 11-year old son. So I pulled him out of school for the day and we flew out to Cape Tribulation for an unanticipated boys trip. Setting off early in the morning and returning near midnight, it was a fun experience.

I love real estate, so seeing this property in person was amazing. It bewildered me that something like this could exist in the middle of a World Heritage Listed Rainforest. I had so many questions running through my head, from permits to logistics involved in building this place. Not to mention the amazing wildlife—resident crocodiles, eagles, and wild boars—that truly made this place a sanctuary.

The property had its story woven into it, from the indigenous roots to the tales of Rod Perry, a renowned stamp collector. Rod took us for a walk around the property and it was breathtaking. Being able to share this memory with my son made it all the more special. After such a jam-packed day, we set back home with some great memories of a beautiful day on an even more beautiful property. 

Fast forward to auction day, which was a true turning point. An hour before the bidding began, I happened to be at the same hotel the auction was held at. Rod approached me to make an offer. In a spontaneous decision, I accepted, turning away all other interested parties.

From here on, we made further adjustments to the property, adding a caretakers quarters and employing site caretakers for preservation. Being in the middle of the Daintree Forest, you could only imagine how much maintenance is required. It was pretty full-on. Not to mention the publicity it received in movies such as King Kong! 

This place is truly special. I remember my son and I sitting above the water, feeding the fish and turtles. With native plants growing everywhere, no wonder the Daintree Cape Tribulation Rainforests are one of David Attemborough’s favourite places in the world! 

Bringing loved ones back here has been an absolute treat and are now such fond memories. There’s something truly special about this place, you come back healthier. 

Alkira Resort House is more than a business venture; it’s a commitment to preserving history and nature. It’s about sharing the serenity and beauty with others.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the property has been listed for sale. We would have liked to keep it, but circumstances require that we let it go to new owners. I hope it goes to someone who appreciates the property for the beautiful place that it is.

Cheers,

David

Andrew Ford
Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.
http://www.andrewford.com.au/
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