Case Study - Case Study: Sprint People x Quest Accountants

A Partnership 20 Years in the Making — Built on Trust, Strategy and Shared Success ¶

In 2005, Naomi Marshall returned from overseas with a few years in Human Resources (HR) under her belt and a career crossroads ahead of her. She’d just been made redundant, was in her early thirties, and unsure of what to do next. So she did what any determined, ambitious woman would do — she called someone who believed in her from the beginning.

That call was to her first boss, Jim - the man who gave her a start in recruitment long before her time in London. Over coffee, Jim offered some great advice. He said “I’m going to tell you how to start your own company.” He scribbled out the essentials: register a business name, set up a company, buy the domain and — most importantly — find a good accountant. And to her luck, Naomi didn’t just walk away with a checklist that day. She walked away with a name.

“I was struggling to name the business. And Jim said, ‘Let’s think about you. You’re fast, you’re energetic — Sprint?’ And I just thought, ‘That’s it. Sprint People.’”

The Introduction That Changed Everything ¶

With a name and a vision, Naomi reached out to another former boss — Christine — to share the news. Christine encouraged her and said: “I met this guy the other week — young, smart, switched on. His name is Adam Brown. He’s just started his own company as well. I think you would like him, you should give him a call”.

Naomi rang Adam out of the blue, explained she was starting her business, and they met soon after. That call marked the beginning of one of Quest’s longest-standing partnerships — a relationship built not just on numbers, but on trust, transparency, and a shared belief in doing business the right way.

Getting It Right from Day One ¶

“In that first meeting, I told Adam I thought I’d just start as a sole trader – to see how things went. And he said, ‘So you want to grow a team, manage payroll for temps, and you want to do it all as a sole trader? – I have a better idea’.

Instead, Adam guided Naomi through setting up Sprint People as a company — giving her the right structure from the outset to grow, build credibility, and protect herself legally. He also introduced a monthly fixed-fee model to eliminate the fear of unpredictable bills. Something Naomi appreciated as she could plan her monthly expenses.

“He said to me, ‘You’ll need a lot of support early on — and I don’t want you second-guessing whether to pick up the phone or not.’ That was a game-changer.”

Through Crises and Comebacks ¶

The early years saw Sprint People take off and it was a great start, from strength to strength. But when the Global Financial Crisis hit in 2008, Naomi found herself overwhelmed — no staff, a house half-built, and a sudden $80,000 tax bill.

“I rang Adam in tears. I said, ‘I can’t pay this. The builders need $60k, and I’ve literally just lost all of my temps”.

Adam calmly walked her through a solution: a payment plan with the ATO. It was something Naomi had never even heard of, but Adam made it achievable — with one condition: never miss a single payment.

“He gave me a way forward — no judgement, just a plan. That’s what kept the business alive.”

Over the years, Sprint bounced back. By 2015, Naomi had six staff and was experiencing the most profitable years in her business. She also built a personal property portfolio — a journey Adam guided her through every step of the way.

Weathering the Pandemic — Together ¶

COVID brought another storm. As revenue dropped and interest rates climbed significantly, Naomi picked up the phone once more.

“I said, ‘Here we are again.’ And Adam, calm as ever, said, ‘What’s the worst that can happen? Can you sell something? Then start mentally prepping.’ That’s the kind of practical mindset he brings to my business and also my life. No matter how tough it gets, there will always be a solution and a way out of the weeds”

Even when Naomi wanted to explore a self-managed super fund, Adam wasn’t there to push or discourage — just to present the facts.

“He walked me through the cost, the risks, the reality. And then he said, ‘If you want to try it, let’s do it right.’ That’s always his approach.”

The Power of Trust and Detail ¶

Adam has been Naomi’s sounding board and advisor from the start. But Quest’s other Director, Andy, has been equally instrumental over the years.

“Andy is so detailed. He never makes mistakes. He caught all the little things with temp payroll and compliance that I would have missed — and never made me feel bad for not knowing.”

Whenever Naomi faces a difficult financial decision, Adam is her first call.

“He will jump into Xero and within minutes, he has the numbers in front of him. He never tells me directly what to do – but he is also brilliant with numbers and will paint a clearer picture for me, then always allow me to make the final decision’”.

That clarity, without pressure, is what Naomi values most.

“He never dictates. But he always shows you exactly what is possible — and what’s smart. He also celebrates my success – when I win, we all win as a team”.

Why Naomi Will Never Leave Quest ¶

Reflecting on the ups and downs of her own business, Naomi asked herself, Could I have done all this without Adam’s support? No. And people will say to her ‘Any good accountant can help you.’ But Naomi says they are wrong.

“It’s not just accounting support from Quest that I receive. It’s the trust, and that has been built over time. I didn’t start a business with money, nor did I grow up with money – I’ve grown everything over time and they’ve helped me plan during all the highs and lows. They know my entire financial history. I know I can call and say, ‘I’m freaking out,’ and they get it. They know my threshold. Adam never judges – he simply gives me the information I need to make better decisions. I trust both Adam and Andy explicitly. They care about my business like it’s their own and we are all in this together!”.

Quest Reflection on Sprint People ¶

Working with Naomi has been one of the great privileges of Quest’s history. She’s a powerhouse — driven, principled, and fiercely committed to doing right by her clients and her candidates. Through the highs, the setbacks, and the comebacks, Naomi has built a business — and a life — defined by resilience and purpose.

We’re proud to be part of her story. Not just as accountants, but as partners. As friends. And as long-term believers in her mission and her success. To find out more about Naomi and Sprint People, head over to her very pink website: www.sprintpeople.com.au