The Power of What Cannot Be Replicated

In this conversation, Rupert Hoogewerf speaks with Hayley Baillie about entrepreneurship, next-generation leadership, and building value through passion rather than scale.

Drawing on her journey in tourism and hospitality, Hayley reflects on how deep industry knowledge, patience, and a willingness to take calculated risks enabled her to create one of Australia’s most successful experiential luxury hotels. She shares why true opportunity lies in offering something genuinely unique - rooted in place, human connection, and experience - and why even in an age of AI, the most powerful businesses are those that cannot be replicated virtually. The conversation also touches on philanthropy, ocean conservation, and the importance of “doing the time” before leading or inheriting responsibility.