Patrick Deane’s path to a Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain Management was driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, starting from his early experiences growing up on a farm.
The 2025 graduate cultivated his problem-solving mentality from an early age while watching his parents tackle the daily tasks of farm life.
“There was always a different issue to solve. You had to figure it out—try something, fail, and then try again. I think that’s what got me interested in business because it’s also a lot of problem solving,” he explains.
Patrick Deane.
In his teen years, Patrick tried his hand at starting various businesses. At 14, Patrick partnered with his dad to buy and sell horseshoe studs – small metal attachments that provide traction for horses’ hooves – and stud stands, designed to hold the horseshoes while they’re being worked on.
He even learned to weld so they could make the stands himself. While he admits the venture wasn’t very successful, he reflects, “That’s where you learn, right?”
When choosing a university, Patrick was drawn to the Waikato Management School due to its reputation as the number one business school in New Zealand.
Papers take a hands-on learning approach that aims to equip students with the real-world skills and knowledge needed to thrive in business. For Patrick, this approach was invaluable.
“I really enjoyed the practical applications. It wasn’t just fluffy things to get credits; my work was treated as if it was going to contribute to the real world,” he says.
He thrived in the course’s rigorous processes, crediting his Logistics and Supply Chain Management lecturer, Dr Cécile L'Hermitte, for pushing him to excel.
“She always gave me her honest feedback which I appreciated. It was encouraging to have her confirmation when my work was solid,” he says.
Patrick also contributed to several studies throughout his time at university. During his last year, he completed a research project under Dr L'Hermitte, investigating the loss of inventory in medical facilities.
“We waste so much money on medical supplies so we were looking into how process management could be improved so that fewer supplies go to waste. There is now some industry interest which is really exciting,” he says.
Alongside research and tutoring other students, Patrick started a business selling sustainably produced dog treats and beds. Drawing on his farming roots once again, he named the business Nelson and Jones after the dogs he grew up with.
When asked how he balanced everything, Patrick explains, “I accepted that I needed to make sacrifices to learn and develop professionally. You have to be dynamic in the workplace, so it was all good practice.
“My advice to anyone pursuing a Bachelor of Business is to give things a go, see what happens and not worry too much about what people think.”
Looking ahead, Patrick aims to continue scaling his business and hopes to pursue a master’s degree at Waikato soon.
