13 minute read
The Brisbane leaders you need to know
10 UNDER 40
BNE’S BUSINESS LEADERS
There’s no denying that Brisbane is on the up when it comes to development, retail, hospitality, and more. Meet some of the locals contributing to our thriving River City and commit these names to memory – these are the businesspeople you need to know.
Michael Tassis
If you’ve ever enjoyed a fine dining experience at one of Brisbane’s famed waterside restaurants including: George’s Paragon Brisbane, Rico Bar & Dining, Fatcow Steak & Lobster, Massimo Restaurant, and Opa Bar + Mezze, the man you have to thank for the indulgent food, fabulous service, and aesthetic interiors is none other than Michael Tassis.
Describing himself as driven, focused, and family oriented (without taking himself too seriously), the owner of the Tassis Group is famed for bringing cosmopolitan dining to our food and entertaining scene. From his childhood working alongside his father, through to developing an independent passion for opening his own venues, one thing is abundantly clear about Michael; he is passionate about the hospitality industry and is focused on creating venues that bring people together. With his Greek background and penchant for creating abundant menus with food designed to be shared and enjoyed, the awards and accolades have come in thick and fast over the years. But all of that aside, it’s his humble and simple approach to life that sums up his ethos beautifully. “I try to be grateful for everything that is good in my life. I put my head down and work hard, but also try to take some time to enjoy the important things in life, like family and friends.” And with the hospitality industry only going from strength to strength, you can bet that Michael Tassis will be at the forefront of it all.
@MICHAEL_TASSIS
Shaun Birley
Describing himself as a “high energy optimist with constant FOMO”, eternal creative and opportunist Shaun Birley is a Brisbane local you’ll want to keep your eye on. His natural flair for business started fresh out of high school, with a logistics job at DHL that would inevitably set him up for a successful career in e-commerce and international fashion distribution, implementing and developing an online logistics platform for SME’s (Webship by InXpress) that compares all express logistics carriers at once – it’s basically the Webjet of shipping! And in a complete aboutturn, Shaun’s resumé doesn’t stop there, counting travel photographer, ambassador for Qantas, and Getaway tv host amongst his many achievements – safe to say there’s no shortage of ambition for this Brissy local. It’s this determination and natural creative instinct that’s seen him travel extensively throughout Europe, the USA, and Asia – trips that would ultimately allow him to grab the attention of tourism boards and bring 100k+ followers along for the ride on social media. Not too shabby, right? Looking forward, he hopes to enjoy more business success alongside his two childhood best friends, continue supporting local business right here in Brisbane, and if all else fails, default to his favourite adage for life “bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell!”
@SHAUNBIRLEY
Giorgina Venzin
Growing up watching her dad sell curry paste at the New Farm Farmers markets, Giorgina was just 14 years old when her dad purchased the bustling Camp Hill restaurant, Mons Ban Sabai Thai – the Venzin family abode where she spent her teenage years working part-time. Throughout school and university, Giorgina gained valuable experiences working as a waitress and maître d’, before she graduated from the University of Queensland with a degree in Business, specialising in Hospitality and Events. While it was always her dream to move to New York and pursue a career in event management, it was back on her home soil where she knew she was going to follow her own personal business dreams. Now in her 30s, Giorgina has opened 12 different venues in the last 10 years, with Brisbane-favourites Pawpaw Cafe, Melrose, Darvella Patisserie and more, joining her never-ending list of establishments under her belt. Undeniably, Giorgina’s passion for progressive food culture has helped shape some of Brisbane’s most-loved establishments, with each one offering a unique experience to the next. It’s not difficult to see that innovation is at the forefront of her work, as she and her team are constantly changing and re-imagining these venues so that guests will always experience something entirely new. As she looks to the future, Giorgina and her team are gearing up to launch a social media and branding agency, V Media. It’s safe to say she has cemented herself as a pioneer in Brisbane’s hospitality and creative industries.
@VENZINGROUP
Andrew McKinney Welch
Ask any Brisbane local in the know, and they’ve likely heard the name McKinney. With a long-standing history in the jewellery industry, the McKinney family story is woven into the fabric of our great city. And fifth generation businessman, Andrew McKinney Welch, is at the forefront of it all. Describing himself as driven, caring, passionate, and with an infectious positive outlook on life, Andrew’s job title can’t be summed up in one simple way. His history in the business is one filled with family and legacy. He began working with his grandfather, John McKinney and his aunt, Margot McKinney, as soon as he left school, and he’s never looked back. In fact, it’s the special bond with his grandfather that led him to pursue a career in jewellery, which has since seen him gain experience in world class retail outlets such as Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman in New York, sourcing gemstones at international trade shows in Hong Kong, and of course, working alongside his family to coordinate high-end client experiences at their Brisbane store. Now, as a current gemmologist student at the Gemological Institute of America, it’s safe to say Andrew’s place as a top Brisbane business leader is only just beginning to shine.
@ANDREWMCKINNEY_WELCH
Andrew Craig
Spending his early childhood in a rural town, by the time Andrew Craig was 12, he had sold his first computer, and by his teenage years, he’d already turned over $1 million – all from his parents’ garage. A true business entrepreneur in every sense, this Founder and CEO is the proud owner of Laser Clinics Australia in Brisbane, Mr Mista, and most recently, Chatti.com. And with his keen business sense being attributed to keeping an eye on trends and always trusting his gut instincts, Andrew’s pragmatic approach has seen him achieve dizzying heights with his various endeavours. With a never-give-up attitude and total resilience to break through any obstacle, he puts his success down to a life that’s surrounded by people with similar core family values and attitude for empowering people towards success. “I get a natural high from building a business from start to finish. The challenge of being able to navigate through providing the highest level of products and services for our people, the team, and customers who have all become my extended family,” he says. And if all that wasn’t enough for this new-age mover and shaker, he’s also a Director of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, and an ambassador for the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust – one to watch? We think so.
@ANDREWDCRAIG
Courtney Caulfield
A self-described passionate connoisseur of real estate, champagne, holidays, and fashion, Lead Agent from Place Estate Agents Kangaroo Point, Courtney Caulfield, is building Brisbane, one epic sale at a time. With a career that started in law, to becoming the number one individual agent for the past two years running, Courtney’s dedicated and passionate approach to her clients is only surpassed by her deep-rooted love of Brisbane. Passionate about getting out what you put in and remembering to always find motivation in the challenging times, to Courtney, it’s not just about the simple act of selling a home, but the entire process from start to finish. From choosing and overseeing the marketing campaigns, to styling, negotiating contracts, and being a part of the customer experience, she counts herself extremely lucky to not only sell phenomenal property, but work alongside some incredible people, too. One of which, is her husband and Director of Place Estate Agents Kangaroo Point, Simon – the very man who convinced her to make the jump from law to real estate and who inspires her daily. Talk about a dynamic duo! So, what’s next for this powerhouse business leader? Well, like many others, there’s a holiday on the cards, and the sale of a brand new (stunning) development. Maybe even a third year in a row as Place Estate Agent’s number one individual agent? Just try and stop her!
@COURTNEYCAULFIELD_ @PLACEKANGAROOPOINT
Kobie Allison
Psychology was a perfect fit for Kobie Allison, who says she’s always been inspired by the resilience of humanity, and believes in growth and creating beauty from ashes. At 37, Kobie is the Director of Modern Minds, a modern mental health care practice, but behind the scenes, she’s a creative at heart and thrives on juggling multiple projects. As a busy mum to her daughter Willow, she’s also working on a fashion label that will fund a charity for solo mothers, writing a TV series, and teaching her daughter to surf – between ‘cino dates of course. It’s an impressive to-do list for an already busy young mum, but for Kobie, she says she’s always been passionate about leaving a lasting, positive impact on the world, and hopes to inspire others to live with a purpose greater than self.
Living by the life motto ‘love over fear’, she says like anyone, she has had her own life wounds, but they only inspire her to use them to grow. Finding the right path is crucial, according to Kobie, who encourages people to stay away from limiting beliefs in what they think they ‘should’ do and instead focus on doing what brings you alive. Alongside a lot of tenacity, Kobie says Brisbane gave her the opportunity to live her life according to her own values and dreams, and with a sea change on the horizon, she says she’s looking forward to starting and ending each day at the beach with her “number one girl”.
@KOBIEALLISONPSYCHOLOGY
Tiffany Cooper
When Tiffany Cooper won the Ekka modelling competition at the tender age of 15, she quickly realised her passion lay behind the scenes of the industry, rather than in front of the lens. Describing herself as a seeker of sunshine and lover of the ocean, Tiffany’s extensive career history also paints her as an experience collector. From managing Video Ezy as a teen to becoming the owner and director of Nikkou Store – a clothing store featuring Australian fashion and lifestyle brands – she says each and every job was a piece of a puzzle that has led her to where she is today. The now 30-yearold knew early on that she wanted to create something that was all hers, crediting her work ethic to her parents – a hairdresser mum and electrician father. After a six-year stint managing the video store, Tiffany kicked off her fashion industry education studying fashion business and a business degree a few years later. From here, she tackled numerous roles at fashion retailers including Myer, Country Road, her first full-time role as a manager at Zara, and finally her dream job – the wholesale manager for Zulu & Zephyr in Byron Bay. For Tiffany, it was this real-life experience of running a business that catapulted her to launch Nikkou Store. Having now officially been running a business longer through a pandemic, than not, she says the experience has taught her resilience, despite the temptation to give up. Her best ever career advice seems incredibly fitting – never take no for an answer, there is always another way around a roadblock.
@NIKKOUSTORE
Taylor Fielding
Starting one business in the midst of a pandemic might have seemed too risky for most, but not for influencer Taylor Fielding – the director of TFM Digital – who started two and bought a new apartment while he was at it. The Brisbane local’s actions speak volumes about his life motto, “take the risk! Lean on your networks and seek advice.” With over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, Taylor says he saw the need for a trusted media advisor to help guide businesses through strategy and media buying without the price tag of traditional agencies, and so TFM Digital – an agency specialising in the franchise sector – was born at the tail end of 2020.
After almost a year in business, Taylor says it’s the companies he works with that continue to drive and inspire him. Just six months after starting TFM, he and his partner were contemplating buying a house, but with the market skyrocketing he says their ambitious spirit prompted them to tackle another challenge instead, with the pair franchising City Cave Float & Wellness Centre. While it’s been a year of ups and downs, the media maven says he’s embraced the good and the bad of starting a new business, and jokes that for the rest of the year he’ll be busy “taking over the world”, buying a house and replanning his wedding in New Zealand – for the fourth time.
@TFM.DIGITAL @TAYLORFIELDING
Joedy Kyle
Most find it hard to believe that Joedy Kyle, Creator and Director of Joedy’s Cafe New Farm, and Joedy’s by Eminence, is only 26 years old. Even harder yet to believe he opened his first business venture just one week before the very first Brisbane lockdown in March 2020. From scrubbing dishes at 13, to directing two successful small businesses by his mid-twenties, Joedy has had to prove himself in the industry since the beginning.
It comes as no surprise that amidst managing twenty staff, Joedy thrives on stressful situations that others shy away from. Holding Brisbane close to his heart, the community support has been fundamental to his success and growth at such a turbulent time. Specialising in serving locally sourced, sustainable produce, their enticing all-day brunch menu is inspired by South-East Asia cuisine and culture. Revamping these classics with phenomenal local ingredients, they’re able to help other small businesses grow through their produce selection and the sale of artisan products in their retail section. With a private rooftop event space launching next month at Joedy’s by Eminence, and whispers of a third East Brisbane location set for completion in mid 2022, there’s lots to look forward to from Joedy Kyle.
@_JOEDYKYLE_
