Headquarter In: Vadodara, Gujarat
Employees Headcount: 501-1000
In the world of business and innovation, hard work and visionary leadership are paramount. It’s the individuals who combine tireless dedication with a forward-thinking mindset that often bring about transformative change. Graeme Clegg’s journey from a sheep farmer in Masterton to the founder and Chairman of New Image™ International is a shining example of the power of hard work and visionary leadership.
Graeme’s story is a testament to the idea that groundbreaking ideas can come from anywhere, even the most unexpected places. His journey began on his farm, where he conducted research that would eventually lead to the development of revolutionary health supplements. But it wasn’t just his innovative thinking that set him apart; it was his unwavering commitment to turning his ideas into reality.
As a leader, Graeme took on the responsibility of identifying, sponsoring, and training key figures within his organization. His hands-on approach and continuous quest to stay at the forefront of industry trends demonstrated his dedication to leading by example. This approach earned him the trust and respect of countless members within New Image™ International.
Graeme’s passion for helping individuals realize their full potential is a hallmark of his leadership style. Whether addressing large conferences, motivating diverse audiences, or speaking at biotechnology gatherings, he possesses the unique ability to inspire and connect with people from all walks of life.
From Shearing to Success
Graeme attributes his early life experiences, especially his parents’ influence and his journey through education, to shaping his outlook on life. His father’s dedication to a healthy lifestyle and his mother’s commitment to their family had a significant impact on his values. He asserts, “My father was passionate about healthy lifestyles and my mother was totally dedicated to her two children, something I now realise had a major influence on my outlook in life. My father trusted the promises made by the financier of his business that he would be well looked after, building a substantial business through his own initiatives and effort. I recall both my parents working many hours overtime for the business to succeed. One day, after 20 years, the financer simply walked into the office and said that his son wanted to take over. My Dad asked about the promises made. The response was: ‘What promises?’ The shock of the betrayal and loss of his business catalysed the cancer that eventually took his life. I learned early on that it’s not smart to put your future or destiny in someone else’s hands. There is only one security – be your own boss.”
The betrayal in his father’s business dealings, which resulted in the loss of the family business and his father’s health, taught him the importance of self-reliance and entrepreneurship. This experience instilled in him the belief that one’s future and destiny should not be entrusted to others but rather taken into one’s own hands.
Graeme’s quest for challenging physical work to achieve wealth led him to pursue shearing, which he believed to be one of the most physically demanding jobs. He attended a shearing course at Massey College to acquire the necessary skills and eventually became a “gun shearer.” His competitive nature and determination to be the best drove him to excel in the shearing industry.
Championing Wellness and Longevity
Graeme’s journey from his early school days to his successful career and passion for wellness and longevity reflects a remarkable life path. Academically, Graeme struggled initially due to a lack of self-belief and confidence, but his intense interest in the agricultural industry led him to pursue education in this field. He attended Fielding Agricultural High School, where he overcame initial challenges and gradually excelled academically.
At a young age, he absorbed the message that hard work was the path to riches, and he eagerly sought out the hardest physical work he could find. He realized the value of hard work and the importance of going the extra mile to achieve greater rewards. This work ethic became a key factor in his success. He was inspired by a teacher’s advice that emphasized the correlation between hard work and achieving success in life. Shearing sheep became his chosen profession, and he learned from a world record holder, Godfrey Bowen, becoming a highly skilled shearer himself.
During his 22-year career in shearing, Graeme not only excelled in the physical aspect but also transformed shearing contracting into a professional business. He introduced modern practices such as computerization, contracts, quality accommodations, and transportation, earning a reputation for “Shear Expertise.” However, despite his success, he realized that physical work alone would not make him wealthy.
The turning point came when a mentor enlightened him about the role of mental muscle in creating wealth. Graeme shifted his focus from physical to mental effort and embarked on a journey to learn about nutrition, wellness, and longevity. This quest was driven by personal tragedy, as he lost his parents and younger brother to cancer, prompting him to explore ways to prevent a similar fate.
Graeme’s dedication to wellness and longevity led him to become a wellness and longevity fanatic and ambassador. He embraced the idea that life should not be left to chance and that positive choices in nutrition and supplements could enhance the quality and length of one’s life. He transformed his passion into a career, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of proactive health choices.
Throughout his life, Graeme embodied various principles that contributed to his success:
- Leading by example: He consistently set high standards and led from the front.
- Financial independence: He learned not to rely on banks and maintained a cash reserve.
- Attention to detail: He emphasized being well-organized and innovative.
- Risk management: Graeme recognized the importance of managing risks.
- Possibility thinking: He maintained a positive and open-minded outlook on life.
- Nutrition: His interest in wellness and longevity prompted him to study nutrition.
- Hard work and long hours: Graeme’s dedication to his career and passions required commitment and effort.
Despite his success in shearing, Graeme realized that hard work alone was not enough to secure financial freedom. He learned the importance of leveraging people and using mental muscle, rather than just physical effort, to create wealth. He emphasized the difference between physical and mental work in wealth creation.
Graeme’s involvement in competitive shearing, including the establishment of the Golden Shears competition, ( World Shearing Championship) added to his reputation as a skilled and talented individual. His journey from shearing to entrepreneurship and his commitment to self-reliance continue to shape his perspective on success and wealth creation.
The Inception Story
Graeme’s journey into the world of wellness and nutritional supplements was inspired by a book written by New Zealander Dr. Michael Colgan. The book highlighted that a significant percentage of cancers could be prevented through lifestyle choices. Specifically, 33% of cancers were attributed to smoking (including passive inhalation), 25% to being overweight, and 15% to the lack of antioxidants and supplements. Graeme, who had experienced the harsh effects of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption in the shearing sheds, made a conscious decision to lead a moderate and healthy lifestyle. This lifestyle included managing his weight, maintaining fitness, and practicing discipline.
Discipline, according to Graeme, is a critical success principle. It applies to various aspects of life, including weight control, hygiene, fitness, skill development, and wealth creation. Graeme’s dedication to maintaining his goal weight for 50 years, losing 200 kilograms over five decades, exemplifies the power of discipline.
One key lesson Graeme learned from his farming days was the importance of nutrition and variety in diet. He observed that animals, given a choice, preferred a selection of weeds in addition to the standard diet of grasses and clovers. This observation led him to understand that both animals and humans to supplement their diets with specific nutrients and variety. While humans have intelligence and intuition, they are often swayed by taste preferences, leading them to consume foods that may not be beneficially in the long run.
Graeme’s interest in nutrition prompted him to explore the potential health benefits of colostrum, the first milk produced by mammals. He recognized that colostrum played a crucial role in transferring immunity to newborns and viewed it as Mother Nature’s “gift of life.” Graeme gave up his farm, which he had to relinquish due to depressed land prices, and moved to Auckland to delve into the world of nutritional supplements.
In 1984, Graeme founded New Image, initially operating the business out of the trunk of his car. The company’s product range included weight management systems, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Over time, Graeme’s focus shifted towards colostrum, and he collaborated with researchers at the Hautapu Dairy factory to develop palatable forms of dairy colostrum for human consumption. New Image became a pioneer in the commercialization of colostrum, recognizing its significant influence on the body’s bioactive functions and immune system.
Today, Graeme is renowned for his remarkable recuperation and recovery abilities. Despite his hectic travel schedule, he doesn’t experience jet lag, maintains a rigorous work ethic, and requires minimal sleep. His robust vitality is a testament to his commitment to a healthy lifestyle. He believes in the power of visualization and having a clear vision of one’s goals, encapsulated in the name “New Image,” which represents the magic of the mind and the importance of seeing one’s aspirations before achieving them.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Trust
In 1984, when Graeme embarked on his journey with New Image, advocating the necessity of vitamins and minerals was met with skepticism. The prevailing media narrative questioned the value of these supplements, labeling them as expensive urine producers. Undeterred by the prevailing doubts, Graeme, armed with limited capital and unwavering determination, believed in himself and his vision. He immersed himself in learning about vitamins, minerals, and supplement manufacturing, even making tablets himself.
Graeme’s dedication to his products was evident as he became the number one customer for New Image’s offerings. His vibrant health, vitality, and immunity spoke volumes about the effectiveness of the supplements. As others witnessed his well-being and disease-free life, they too began to recognize the value of these products.
Challenges, including financial constraints and the occasional betrayal by those he trusted, were part of the journey. Graeme understood that some individuals were tempted to emulate his success, but he also realized that this industry was fiercely competitive. Despite setbacks, he remained committed to his promises and obligations to his customers.
Direct marketing, based on person-to-person recommendations, became the cornerstone of New Image’s approach. Graeme recognized that chronic diseases were deeply emotional, requiring heart-to-heart connections to address effectively.
As New Image’s business expanded, Graeme ventured into international markets, particularly in Asia. Despite the Asian currency crisis and challenges, he remained steadfast in fulfilling his commitments to his customers and partners. The resilience and trustworthiness displayed during this period contributed to New Image’s lasting reputation in Asia. Around 1993, Graeme’s experience with animals and colostrum led him to explore its potential for human health. Collaborating with a team at the Hautapu dairy factory, he pioneered the commercial marketing of colostrum, which has since become a billion-dollar global industry. The first product, Lifeline, was followed by Alpha Lipid, a patented liposome delivery system that protected bioactives in the digestive tract.
Throughout the years, New Image’s product-driven approach has been the key to its longevity and success. Satisfied customers have become advocates, recommending the brand to their loved ones. New Image is now recognized as a quality designer label in the nutrition field.
Recent scientific validation has affirmed the benefits of colostrum, aligning with Graeme’s unwavering belief in its potential. Attending international conferences on anti-aging and stem cells provided scientific backing for the health benefits observed by New Image customers over the years. Graeme’s commitment to research and innovation continues to drive the company forward.
A Global Leader in Direct Selling
Today, New Image stands proudly as one of the top performers in the global direct selling industry, earning the spot among an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 direct selling companies worldwide in, as recognized by the Texas-based industry publication Direct Selling News. This remarkable achievement reflects New Image’s journey from its humble beginnings in Australia and New Zealand to its expansion into countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Taiwan. Currently, the company maintains offices in 22 countries, underlining its international reputation.
In 2009, Graeme’s entrepreneurial excellence was acknowledged when he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the technology, life sciences, and emerging industries category. New Image’s product lineup, which initially featured a powdered breakfast shake, expanded to include Alpha Lipid, a patented liposome delivery system designed to protect the delicate bioactive components of colostrum. Unlike colostrum naturally intended for babies with mild hydrochloric acid in their digestive systems, New Image’s colostrum is specifically formulated for adults. The product range further encompasses tablets, capsules, energy drinks, and powder-based diet formulas, all of which have garnered remarkable results for individuals worldwide.
New Image’s accomplishments were also recognized in the Deloitte Fast 50, an award program honoring the country’s fastest-growing companies. The company emerged as the category winner for the fastest-growing retail or consumer business in the upper North Island.
In its quest for continuous improvement and innovation, New Image employs eleven scientists and technical advisors and these efforts focus on high-priority projects aimed at unlocking further secrets of colostrum.
Recognizing the power of word-of-mouth recommendations in commercializing nutritional supplements, Graeme chose a multi-level marketing (MLM) structure for New Image. This structure allows people to share their personal recovery stories and recommendations, effectively spreading the benefits of and wellness to a global audience.
Graeme’s colostrum catchphrase, “created by nature – captured by New Image science taking 200,000 years to perfect the intelligent design,” underscores the company’s commitment to quality and purity in its New Zealand-sourced products. In 2004, Graeme took another significant step by listing New Image on the New Zealand stock exchange, offering team members and distributors the opportunity to share in the company’s success.
Beyond his achievements in the health and wellness industry, Graeme’s involvement in personal development training has led to invitations to speak at seminars and inspirational conferences across the USA and Asia. He has addressed audiences of up to people, exemplifying transformational leadership through his vast knowledge and experience in the medical arena, all without formal medical qualifications. Graeme has also been invited to speak at Bio Technology, Stem Cell, and Longevity conferences and is a member of the National Speakers Association in America. His dedication to spreading wellness and knowledge takes him on whirlwind speaking and training tours around the world, a testament to his enduring passion for the industry and its potential to positively impact lives for years to come.
Continuing the Journey
Graeme’s vision for New Image’s future involves leading in natural stem cell stimulation, which he believes will be the new frontier in rejuvenation and anti-aging. The company plans to invest heavily in research related to bioactives extracted and concentrated from colostrum. One of his ambitious goals is to produce a capsule containing a trillion natural killer cells to reinforce the immune system, with the aim of preventing cancer development. Graeme is acutely aware of the rising cancer rates worldwide, and he’s committed to reducing the percentage of cancer-related deaths, which has increased significantly over the last century. Cancer treatments have shown little progress in the past 70 years so the focus should be on preventing this insidious disease that has impacted so many families.
New Image’s success model, which has been perfected over the years, can potentially be duplicated in many more countries, enabling the company to compete with large American corporations that dominate the industry. Graeme envisions New Image becoming a $1 billion revenue company within the next two years, further expanding its global reach and impact.
Throughout his journey, Graeme has been influenced by many people and has made choices and embraced concepts that have guided him to where he is today. He has actively sought to change the lives of individuals who lacked education and opportunities, offering them hope and opportunities for personal growth. His commitment to giving back to the world through New Image remains unwavering.
Graeme values the principle that “with optimism and the embracement of change, you can conquer any adversity and difficult circumstance.” He encourages people to believe in themselves, exercise patience, and embrace delayed gratification as a key to success. He emphasizes focusing on what one has, rather than what they lack and stresses the importance of discipline, self-belief, and the power of visualization in achieving one’s goals.
Despite his numerous achievements, Graeme remains passionate about future endeavors and experiences. He has a list of goals, including trekking the Himalayas, white-water rafting, golfing, abseiling, exploring sunken treasures, visiting Alaska, running a Kalahari expedition, and exploring the treasures of China, among others.
Graeme lives by the principle that “impossible” is a word found only in the dictionary, and he believes in his ability to overcome challenges and succeed. He acknowledges the impact that a simple word of encouragement can have on someone’s life and underscores the value of taking calculated risks and going the extra mile. Graeme’s belief that humans are designed to live up to 120 years motivates him to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prioritize good nutrition. He sees biological age as just a number and considers himself to be in the middle of his journey at the age of 83. He’s committed to continuous learning and growth, striving to fulfill his vision and accomplish even more in the years ahead.