Name
Nick Palousis, 28, entrepreneur and engineer.
Your greatest achievements and how you reached them
Learning to listen to my gut and follow what I felt was the right direction, irrespective of what others thought.
This resulted in me getting involved in creating solutions to climate change and sustainability, and co-founding the Shaper Group, a group of companies that helps to transform businesses to be more profitable and sustainable.
I was fortunate to win the 2006 Young South Australian of the Year, 2007 British Council Eureka Prize, and 2008 ADC Future Summit Leadership Award.
Goal(s) for the future
To become the Richard Branson of sustainable business.
Best moment of your life
This moment, and every moment, of every day in my life!
One word that describes you the best
Fearless.
People you most admire and why
My mum and dad, and business partner, Dan Atkins – he’s given up the easy life to change the world for the better.
If I could say anything to the Greek community…
We have a culture of living and history that’s worth sharing, but other ethnicities also have a culture of history and learning that’s worth listening to.
Most embarrassing moment
Realising just how afraid I was of taking risks in life, and recognising that in reality ‘safe is risky’.
Favourite place to go or hang out at
Besides the gym, the Barossa Valley in South Australia which has awesome win
Song that I can’t get out of my head
Clocks-Cold Play.
Favourite Greek food
All of it! If I had to pick one, Fakes (Lentil Soup).
I can’t live without…
Challenge and uncertainty; it’s too much fun!
If I was Kevin Rudd for a day I would…
Take more risks. People may not respect him for it right now (and he may risk losing a future election), but in 20 years time he’ll go down as the person that wasn’t afraid to make the tough decisions for the good of future generations.