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 on February 22, 1964, is an Australian business leader. She is known for starting successful companies. Naomi is also a podcaster and a blogger.
In 2001, she launched RedBalloon, an online company that sells experience gifts. Later, in 2017, Naomi teamed up with David Anderson to create Big Red Group. This company is based in Sydney and is the biggest marketplace for experiences in Australia and New Zealand. It includes popular brands like Adrenaline and RedBalloon.
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Naomi Simson's Career Journey
Naomi Simson started her career in marketing. She worked for big companies like IBM and Apple Computer Australia. This helped her learn a lot about business.
Starting RedBalloon
In 2001, Naomi started her own company, RedBalloon. She began this online gift business from her home. She invested $25,000 of her own money to get it going. By 2011, RedBalloon had grown to have 46 employees. Naomi was the CEO until 2011, when she stepped back from daily operations.
Creating Big Red Group
In 2017, Naomi co-founded Big Red Group with David Anderson. This new company became the main company for RedBalloon. Big Red Group also bought and now runs other companies. These include Adrenaline, Experience Oz, and Lime&Tonic.
Appearing on Shark Tank
In late 2014, Naomi Simson became one of the "Sharks" on the TV show Shark Tank in Australia. On the show, she invested in many new businesses. She also gave lots of advice to people starting their own companies. Naomi was on all four seasons of the show. She also appeared as a guest host on Network Ten's Studio 10.
Helping Others as a Secret Millionaire
Naomi was part of the reality TV show The Secret Millionaire – Australia in 2009. For 10 days, she volunteered in different areas that needed help. At the end of the show, she revealed who she was. She then donated over $750,000 to the causes and people she had helped.
Blogging and Writing
Naomi Simson is also a popular blogger. Her website, NaomiSimson.com, is known as one of Australia's top business blogs. She has nearly 3 million followers on LinkedIn, a business networking site. This makes her one of the most followed Australians there.
Naomi has written two books: Live What You Love (2015) and Ready to Soar (2016). She also helped write other books. One book she contributed to was The Power of More Than One in 2008. She also wrote a preface for the book Appvertising in 2013.
Giving Back to the Community
Naomi Simson is a philanthropist, which means she helps others. She joined the group Voiceless to help protect animals. She also advises Heads Over Heels and is a governor for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. These roles show her commitment to making a positive difference.
Awards and Special Recognition
Naomi Simson has won many awards during her career. In 2005, she won the Westpac NSW Entrepreneur of the Year award. She also received the National Telstra Business Women's Award for Innovation in 2008. In 2011, she was a finalist for BRW's Entrepreneur of the Year.
In 2012, LinkedIn recognized Naomi as one of the World's Most Influential Thought Leaders. Only 150 people worldwide received this honor. She was one of only two Australians on this list. This recognition allowed her to share her business knowledge with LinkedIn members.
As of 2017, Naomi Simson was one of only 10 business leaders in Australia to have a "Power Profile" on LinkedIn. In October 2018, she was named in The Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence awards. This was in the Business and Entrepreneur category.
Key Awards Naomi Simson Has Won
- 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
