Ray Scicluna

Ray Scicluna’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless drive. Growing up in the tough Western Suburbs of Melbourne, Ray’s education wasn’t found in textbooks, it was earned on the streets. Lacking traditional academic success and leaving school at just 13, he faced a world that demanded "street smarts" to survive and thrive.

By the age of 22, Ray’s entrepreneurial journey took off when he founded Video Gold, a business that would go on to revolutionise Australia’s video rental industry. Leveraging an innovative $1-a-day leasing model for new releases, Ray’s concept redefined consumer access to movies and sparked the creation of large-scale, shopping centre-style video libraries. Under his leadership, Video Gold achieved an astounding $90 million turnover in less than a year.

However, Ray’s path wasn’t without obstacles. At 29, he faced the ultimate setback, bankruptcy. Yet, true to his "never-give-up" ethos, Ray fought back stronger than ever. Seizing a fresh opportunity, he acquired the Video Ezy chain and, with a powerhouse franchise team, grew the business from 13 stores to 360. By 1998, Video Ezy had become a household name, and Ray successfully exited the venture.

Ray’s career spans nearly four decades of entrepreneurship, during which he’s founded 68 different businesses. His "street-smart" approach has guided him through every twist and turn of his journey, from his early years as a business owner at 13 to becoming a self-made leader who’s hired hundreds, trained thousands, and inspired countless more.

A published author, Ray’s book "Crossroads and Roundabouts: Life is Full of Choices" captures the essence of his philosophy: life’s toughest challenges often present the most powerful opportunities for growth. He speaks candidly about his experiences with success and failure, sharing lessons learned from both.

Ray’s message is simple but profound: Attitude Gets It Done, Create Magic Moments, and Build a People-Focused Culture. His passion for people development is evident in his commitment to mentoring young talent, fostering customer service excellence, and helping business leaders build stronger, more agile organisations.

Whether it’s inspiring audiences with his "If I can, anyone can" mantra or unpacking the gritty truths of business, Ray’s talks are as entertaining as they are enlightening. His colourful life story, filled with moments of triumph, failure, and reinvention, leaves audiences feeling empowered and ready to take on their own crossroads with confidence.

Ray Scicluna’s life story is proof that it’s not where you start, but how you adapt, that defines your success. His speaking engagements are more than just talks, they’re transformative experiences. Audiences leave with actionable insights, renewed perspective, and the confidence that they, too, can turn adversity into achievement.