Get to Know Daniel, Tall Poppy and an Overview of the Sales Process
About Daniel
Daniel is a seasoned entrepreneur and business professional with over 18 years of hands-on experience founding, growing, and exiting successful businesses across construction, project management, and hospitality.
Guided by core principles of exceptional service and uncompromising integrity—lessons drawn from his family’s building and trade background—Daniel founded Executive Office Creations in Sydney, Australia. The company grew into a trusted one-stop provider for office fit-outs and furniture, renowned for meticulous attention to detail, superior client service, and transparent, fair pricing.
Seeking new challenges, Daniel relocated to Auckland, New Zealand, where he launched Grownup Donuts. Committed to uncompromising quality, he sourced premium ingredients to deliver what many consider the country’s finest donuts, building a loyal following through operational excellence and customer focus. In pursuit of work-life balance and family priorities, Daniel sold his Auckland business and home, relocating to Richmond, Nelson. This move deepened his appreciation for thoughtful, client-centered decisions—values he now applies in real estate.
Through these ventures and extensive property investment (buying, selling, and renovating multiple homes), Daniel has developed comprehensive expertise in:
Construction oversight and project management
Sales, contract negotiation, and marketing
Financial oversight and accounting
Team leadership (hiring and managing hundreds of staff and contractors)
Time management and strategic planning.
Today, Daniel leverages this diverse background to guide buyers and sellers in the Nelson region with integrity, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to exceptional outcomes.
Daniels Approach
“Bringing back old-school service with genuine charm: in a world of shortcuts and commission checks, I still believe the client comes first—listening more carefully, communicating more clearly, and handling every detail as if it were my own home.”
Who are Tall Poppy?
Tall Poppy was founded in 2012 by David Graves, a seasoned kiwi real estate professional who set out to fix what he saw as unfair practices in the industry—starting with the inflated percentage-based commissions and opaque processes used by most agencies. From its Wellington beginnings, the agency pioneered a fixed-fee model (e.g., around $10,000 + gst $19,995 incl. GST for many properties, saving sellers thousands compared to traditional 3–4% rates), next they introduced New Zealand’s only national Free Marketing Offer and moved to a fixed fee band model suitable for all regions and recently introduced New Zealand’s first comprehensive digital vendor portal, My Tall Poppy. This platform gives sellers real-time access to live stats, viewing logs, offer comparisons, digital negotiations, and all documents, putting control and transparency directly in clients’ hands while eliminating paperwork hassles. It’s the Only real time offer management platform in New Zealand.
What makes Tall Poppy truly different is its relentless focus on simplicity, speed, and client-first results. With one dedicated agent per listing, pre-matched buyers using their national database, an enhanced free marketing package (including Quiet Listing options), and real-time updates, the agency streamlines what’s often a stressful experience without compromising on service or outcomes. Ranked #1 in Overall Customer Satisfaction in New Zealand (Canstar Blue awards with 5-star ratings across communication, problem resolution, and financial paperwork) Clients consistently choose Tall Poppy for the proven savings, total visibility, and peace of mind which is backed by an industry leading compliance package. With a growing national presence that delivers strong sales while keeping vendors fully informed and empowered every step of the way.
The Tall Poppy Way
Real estate you can actually see through: in a world of hidden fees and endless delays and real estate marketing jargon Tall Poppy puts the focus back onto the client—with fixed transparent commissions, one dedicated salesperson per listing, and their one of a kind My Tall Poppy platform delivering real-time updates, stats, and control straight to your phone.
Where to from here?
Step 1: Let’s Talk & Appraise (No Pressure, Just Clarity)
We start with a friendly, no-obligation chat—text, call, or coffee—whenever suits you (day or night). I’ll visit your home for a thorough, honest appraisal, sharing current market insights, comparable sales, and a realistic price target. You’ll get upfront details on our fixed transparent fee (no surprises, no percentages), marketing options, and how Daniel and My Tall Poppy will keep you in the driver’s seat from day one.
Step 2: Sign & Prepare (Simple Agreement, Your Control)
Once you’re ready, we sign the agency agreement digitally via My Tall Poppy—quick, secure, and paper-free. We then schedule professional photos, floor plans, and any staging tweaks. Your dedicated salesperson (Daniel) handles everything personally—one listing, one point of contact—while pre-matching buyers from our national database to build early interest.
Step 3: Launch & Showcase (Visibility Meets Simplicity)
Your property goes live with industry-leading marketing (online portals, social, targeted ads, and optional Quiet Listing for discreet exposure). Viewings and open homes are scheduled around your life, with real-time notifications sent straight to you. Daniel will be in touch with you every step of the way, however, using the My Tall Poppy platform, you can log in anytime on your phone or tablet to track every viewing, enquiry, feedback and even offers—total transparency, no phone tag required.
Step 4: Offers, Negotiation & Conditions (You Decide, We Deliver)
Offers arrive digitally via the My Tall Poppy platform—clear, comparable, and easy to review side-by-side. Daniel will discuss strategy together with you, negotiate firmly on your behalf, and handle conditional periods (finance, LIM, building reports) with clear updates every step. You accept, counter, or decline at your pace, all tracked live in My Tall Poppy.
Step 5: Unconditional to Settlement (Smooth Sailing to the Finish)
Once conditions are satisfied, we move to unconditional—celebrating that milestone together. The My Tall Poppy platform stores all signed documents securely. Daniel will liase with you and your buyer to satisfy the conditions (if any). On settlement day, funds transfer seamlessly between solicitors, I arrange a key handover to the buyer, and you walk away with more in your pocket thanks to our fixed-fee model and efficient process.
Throughout, you’re updated in real time, treated like family, and never left guessing—because at Tall Poppy with me at your side, the client truly comes first. Ready to get started? Just reach out—I’m here for you.