OUR MISSION
We help entrepreneurs and their leadership teams solve the root of their challenges, lead effectively, gain traction within their businesses using a set of simple proven tools and frameworks.
Because life's too short
this is not a dress rehearsal.
About The Purpose People
Look, we get it. Running a business can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to juggle multiple priorities while keeping everyone aligned (we’ve been there - and often still are!) That's where we come in.
At The Purpose People, we believe that good people deserve great outcomes - and that includes also not losing your mind in the process. We're here to help business owners and their teams find their rhythm, get clear on what matters, and actually enjoy the journey.
The Purpose People started when we saw too many good business owners burning out, feeling stuck, or wondering if they had accidentally signed up for a lifetime of stress. There simply had to be a better way - and it turns out, there was.
We are not here to peddle the latest business fad or magic bullet. We are here armed with proven entrepreneurial frameworks, open and honest conversations, and the occasional reality check (delivered with love, of course!)
WHAT WE BELIEVE
HONESTY FIRST (& always)
No BS, no fluff. We ask the questions others may not, we go to the places we feel are required.
HOW WE HELP
PEOPLE MATTER
Rarely are entrepreneurial journeys navigated alone. Healthy, functional high performing teams are a gift.
100% of people will leave a business. Do you want to do it on your terms or someone elses?
PURPOSE PAYS
When you are clear on your 'why,' everything else is a simply a distraction.
Whether you're trying to scale, acquire, sell or stabilise and don’t know where to start or just need someone to help you see the forest through the trees, we have your back:
Find clarity, even when everything feels like you are spinning and don’t know where to start.
BALANCE IS POSSIBLE
It’s not always easy - but it is possible. You can build a great business without sacrificing your sanity along the way.
Get (and keep) your leadership team on the same page
"Helping good people create great outcomes" isn't just a tagline for Ryan - it's a way of life.
Meet the Team
Ryan Sharpley
Co Founder & CEO
The Guy Behind The Purpose People
Ryan Sharpley didn't set out to become a Coach - he was too busy building businesses and occasionally wondering if he'd bitten off more than he could chew (spoiler: he had, several times, though is getting a little better at that).
After two decades of entrepreneurial adventures (and many misadventures), Ryan discovered something important: the best businesses aren't just profitable - they're purposeful. And the best leaders aren't just successful - they're sane.
The Credentials (Because They Matter)
Executive MBA from RMIT University, Australia
Master of Commerce from RMIT University, Australia
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) - Exit Planning Institute
Mastery of Business and Empathy - Small Giants Academy, Australia
Certified EOS Implementer - EOS Worldwide
The Philosophy
"Helping good people create great outcomes" isn't just a tagline for Ryan - it's a way of life. He believes that business should be a force for good, that leadership should be about people, and that success shouldn't come at the expense of your wellbeing.
Plus, he's learned that a little humour goes a long way even when you're tackling the serious stuff.
The real story…
Ryan's spent over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches, from startups to scale-ups, learning what works and what doesn't. He's been the guy making the tough decisions, losing sleep, and trying to figure out how to get everyone headed in the same direction.
The breakthrough came when he realised that sustainable success wasn't about working harder - it was about working with the right frameworks. That's why he became an EOS Implementer, Certified Exit Planning Advisor & Coach - because he found systems that actually work, and he's passionate about sharing them with other business owners who are ready to design their own path forward.
Deb Sharpley
Co Founder
The Heart Behind The Purpose People
Deb Sharpley never set out to be a business owner - in fact, she never set out to be a business owner not once, not twice, not three times, but four different times throughout her career. Yet here she is, and it turns out that sometimes the best journeys are the ones you don't plan.
What Deb discovered along the way is that her natural ability to connect with people, combined with her practical approach to problem-solving, made her perfectly suited for helping businesses thrive. She learned that success isn't just about having the right strategy - it's about having the right people implementing it with clarity and purpose.
The Philosophy
”I believe that every business has the ability to change lives, but it takes the right support, tools, and mindset to get there.”
Deb is passionate about helping business owners not just survive but truly thrive - by creating businesses that work for them, their teams, and their communities.
Her approach is grounded in empathy, practical wisdom, and the understanding that behind every business challenge is a real person with pure intentions.
A partnership that works
Working alongside Ryan, Deb discovered they make an exceptional team. While their approaches might be different (and their thinking wildly different!) they share the same fundamental vision: helping businesses succeed by empowering the people who run them. Together, they bring a balanced perspective that combines strategic thinking with genuine care for the human side of business.
”I believe that every business has the potential to be great, but it takes the right support, tools, and mindset to get there.”
— Deb Sharpley