Naomi Simson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Naomi Simson
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| Born | February 22, 1964 |
| Occupation | Businessperson, Entrepreneur, Television Personality, Podcaster, Philanthropist, Blogger, Writer |
| Television | Shark Tank (Australian TV series) |
| Spouse(s) | Stuart King (m. 2016-present) |
| Awards | 2013 Lifetime Achievement Silver Stevie Award |
Naomi Simson (born 22 February 1964) is an Australian businesswoman, entrepreneur, podcaster, and blogger. She is famous for starting the online company RedBalloon in 2001. This company lets people buy "experience gifts" like hot air balloon rides. Later, in 2017, Naomi also helped create Big Red Group with her partner David Anderson. This company is now the biggest place to find exciting experiences in Australia and New Zealand. It includes popular brands like Adrenaline and Experience Oz.
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Naomi Simson's Journey in Business
Naomi Simson started her career in marketing. She worked for big companies like IBM, KPMG, and Apple Computer Australia. In 2001, she decided to start her own business, RedBalloon. She began this online company from her home. She invested $25,000 of her own money to get it going.
RedBalloon grew very quickly. By 2011, it had 46 employees. Naomi was the CEO of RedBalloon until 2011. After that, she took a step back from the daily running of the business.
In 2017, Naomi co-founded the Big Red Group with David Anderson. This new company became the main company for RedBalloon. It also bought and now runs other companies. These include Adrenaline, Experience Oz, and Lime&Tonic.
Helping Businesses on TV
In 2014, Naomi Simson became one of five "Sharks" on the TV show Shark Tank in Australia. On the show, people with new business ideas would pitch them to the "Sharks." The Sharks would then decide if they wanted to invest their own money in these businesses.
Naomi spent her time on Shark Tank supporting new companies. She invested in many businesses over four seasons of the show. She also gave lots of advice to people starting businesses. This advice was about how to present ideas, find their purpose, and grow their companies. Naomi has also been a guest host on another TV show called Studio 10.
Secret Millionaire and Giving Back
In 2009, Naomi Simson was a "secret millionaire" on a reality TV show. It was called The Secret Millionaire – Australia. For 10 days, Naomi volunteered in different areas of Australia. These areas needed help.
At the end of the show, Naomi revealed who she really was. She then donated money to many of the causes and people she had helped. She was one of five people on the show who gave away more than $750,000. This money went to different individuals and groups in the community.
Blogging and Writing
Naomi Simson is also a popular blogger. Her website, NaomiSimson.com, is very well-known. In 2016, it was ranked as one of the top business blogs. She has been recognized as one of Australia's best business bloggers since 2009. In 2020, she was named the top business blogger.
Naomi has a huge following on LinkedIn, which is a business networking website. She has almost 3 million followers there. This means she reaches more Australians than almost anyone else on the platform.
Naomi has also written two books. Her first book, Live What You Love, came out in 2015. Her second book, Ready to Soar, was released in 2016. She also helped write other books, sharing her business knowledge.
Helping Animals and People
Naomi Simson is also a philanthropist. This means she uses her money and time to help others. She joined the council of Voiceless. This group works to protect animals. She helps spread the word about why animals need more protection.
Naomi also advises a group called Heads Over Heels. She is also a governor for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. This organization helps people with cerebral palsy.
Awards and Recognition
Naomi Simson has won many awards throughout her career. In 2005, she won the Westpac NSW Entrepreneur of the Year award. In 2008, she received the National Telstra Business Women's Award for Innovation. She was also a finalist for BRW's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011.
In 2012, LinkedIn recognized Naomi as one of the World's Most Influential Thought Leaders. Only 150 people in the world received this honor. Naomi was one of only two Australians on this list. This recognition allowed her to write content to share with other LinkedIn members.
By 2017, Naomi was one of only 10 business leaders in Australia to have a "Power Profile" on LinkedIn. In 2018, she was named in The Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence awards. This was in the Business and Entrepreneur category.
Some of Naomi's Awards
- 2013, Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- 2013, Lifetime Achievement Silver Stevie Award
- 2011, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- 2008, National Telstra Business Women's Award for Innovation
- 2005, Westpac NSW Entrepreneur of the Year Award
