From inception up until the setting up process, how did you start your business?

I left school at the age of 16 having completed year 9. My first job was as an apprentice electrician and by the age of 20 I was moved to the company’s lighting manufacturing division where I became the production manager.

I was with the company for approximately 10 years before leaving to start my own business. My original business began in 1991.

Moonlighting, an industrial lighting company manufacturing products for the national market, became Australia’s leading manufacturer of project lighting with 150 employees and revenues of $30M per annum. The business was sold in 2004.

In the same year I founded and was managing Director of a new venture called Traffic Technologies Limited.

Traffic Technologies listed on the ASX in January 2005 and over the next three years acquired 16 businesses involved in traffic management, traffic signs and traffic lights.

I left TT in 2007 at the time it was Australia’s largest traffic products company with 1500 employees and revenues exceeding $100M.

In September 2007 I started a new company called The Traffic Group Limited.

TTG has completed four acquisitions in SA and WA and currently employs 90 people with revenues exceeding $15M.

TTG released a prospectus on 17 September 2009 to raise $5M and will be listed on ASX by October 2009.

Did your Greek Australian background help you or impede you during your early days?

In my early days my Greek background helped as I was working for a Greek company with predominantly Greek speaking employees.

I have always found the Greek community supportive of my endeavours.

Beyond that I have not found my Greek background to be any hindrance.

What would you say stands out as the comparative advantage of your business over the competition?

The Traffic Group is leading the way in the consolidation of the current fragmented traffic sign industry.

The products we use are of high quality with reliable delivery and installation services.

Our ability to acquire and integrate businesses with extreme efficiency puts us apart from our competition.

It is our intention to build the business to in excess of $100M in revenue over the next 2 years at which time we would be employing over 300 people.

How is business currently?

The Traffic Group is extremely strong at the moment with positive progressions ahead.

We operate in the road construction and maintenance industry, which is currently benefiting from state and federal government stimulus packages.

What is your vision for the future of your business?

Over the next 2 years we anticipate completing another 5 acquisitions to create the dominant force in traffic signs with revenues approaching $100M.

We see the growth and success of The Traffic Group continuing over the years to come.

Do you have any tips for young entrepreneurs?

You must have a vision and then you must dedicate yourself and commit the necessary resources to see out that vision.

Persistence is a must and at all times you must show leadership and direction to those around you.