Here’s a peek at some of the successful Australian entrepreneurs and businesses that feature on ‘Soaring Success.’ With combined turnovers in excess of $1.2 billion, these entrepreneurs share practical advice on how to turn your ideas into money.
Janine Allis
Founder of Boost Juice
The fruit juice retail chain Boost Juice Bars was founded in 2000 by Janine Allis. Seeing a gap in the market for healthy food options, Janine started the business in Australia. It is now an international business and household name with a turnover of $100 million.
Nabi Saleh
Founder of Gloria Jeans Australia
With a passion for coffee, Nabi Saleh started the Australian arm of Gloria Jeans Coffee. In 8 years, the company employs 3550 Australians and has a turnover of $260 million. Awarded the Food Franchisor of the Year Award in 2007 by PriceWaterHouseCoopers, Saleh now own the global brand in 12 countries.
Dennis McFadden
Founder of Just Cuts
Since founding Just Cuts in 1990, Dennis McFadden has grown the business into Australia’s biggest franchising hairdressing chain. Today it is a $80 million dollar network of 150 salons. Recently expanding its franchise model into India, with 250 Just Cuts salon plans to open in 4 years.
Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes
Founders of Atlassian
Fresh out of university, Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes founded Atlassian, a software company specialising in issue tracking and collaboration software. At just 26, they own a global software company with 12 000 customers in 104 countries and a turnover of $22.5 million. They were named 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year.
Graeme Wood
Founder of wotif.com
In a moment of inspiration, Graeme Wood got the idea of using the Internet to make last minute bookings. He started his business in 2000 and the rest as they say, is history. Today, the former IT professional runs wotif.com, a $500 million dollar global company which logs 100000 bookings a month.
Tim Pethick
Founder of Nudie Juice
In 2003, Tim Pethick founded Nudie Juice and in just 2 years, built it into a $20 million dollar business. Considered a branding and marketing guru, Tim has expanded the brand which was recently named in the top 10 most influential brands in the Asia Pacific region.
Tracy Thomson
Founder of Finite IT
Starting as a small 2 man office in 1998, Tracy was behind the rapid success of Finite IT, a leading IT recruitment business, which in a short time had a turnover of $250 million and 80 employees. Tracy is a 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year National Category Winner and named in BRW Magazine’s 100 fastest growing Australian SME’s in 2007.
Shane Yeend
Founder of Imagination Entertainment
Shane Yeend pioneered the concept of interactive games in the board game industry. Building a $180 million entertainment empire, Yeend Yehas licensing deals with worlds largest entertainment companies, such as Disney, Nickelodeon and Fremantle Media. With a 20% market share in the DVD games market, Shane was the winner of the 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Naomi Simson
Founder of Red Balloon Days
A thirst for adventure led Naomi Simson to found Red Balloon Days, an online gift retailer for experiences in Australia and New Zealand. Named Westpac NSW Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 and a finalist in the Telstra Business Awards for three consecutive years, Naomi’s business in worth $68 million today. Naomi is also the President of Entrepreneurs Organisation (Sydney chapter 2007-2008.)
Danny Kordahi
Founder of DK Blue
Starting a company at the age of 31, Danny Kordahi founded DK Blue, a brand management company with three main areas- corporate apparel, promotional merchandise and print management. Danny’s business is now international, with offices in NY and London and turnover of close to $4 million.
Tania de Jong
Social Entrepreneur, Founder of Song Room
Tania de Jong, a soprano, was named Australian Social Entrepreneur of the Year for founding the Song Room, a charity bringing music and performing arts to over 100000 disadvantaged youth around Australia. She is also the co-founder of Music Theatre Australia and was a finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards (2001.)
Steve Killelea
IT Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Starting as an IT entrepreneur, Steve Killelea has built two global businesses, including Integrated Research, a company worth $36 million.
He was also the brainchild of the Global Peace Index and is notable for being Australia’s largest individual donor to overseas aid.
Stewart Nicholls
Founder of Ecowash
In just 4 years, Stewart has grown Ecowash in a multi-award winning franchise with 85 mobile units in Australia, the Middle East, Europe and US. The unique waterless car washing idea received the 2007 Australian Business Award for Enterprise and has a turnover of close to $8 million.
Greg Tingle
Founder of MediaMan
A man of many interests and a background in many industries, Greg decided to form MediaMan in 2003, a Sydney based media and publicity company. Over the last five years, Greg has built an impressive client list and growing media business.
Natalie Aroyan
Founder of Pink Hibiscus
At only 27, Natalie started her entrepreneurial venture by making skincare products in her kitchen and selling them on her website and Ebay. Opening her tanning studio and publicity services, Aroyan combined all her passions and has seen a 500% increase in her client base in the past year. She was identified by SmartCompany as one of the young entrepreneurs under 30 to watch out for!
