S3E1 – Naomi Simson: Growing Red Balloon Group, small business under threat, and knowing when a founder should step down as CEO
Description
Naomi Simson is an experienced director, successful entrepreneur, and acclaimed author. She co-founded Big Red Group and helped it grow to become Australia's largest experience network. In this candid conversation, Naomi reflects on two decades of building and scaling businesses, the lessons learned stepping back from the CEO role, and why small business remains the backbone of Australia's economy.
Naomi also shares her views on the evolving role of boards: how curiosity outperforms expertise, why brand and reputation belong in every risk conversation, and what directors can learn by "sitting in the customer's shoes."
Key themes:
· Why curiosity can be a director's greatest skill
· The board's role in brand, culture, and customer connection
- Purpose-driven leadership and culture
- Balancing growth with governance
- The human cost of overreliance on AI
- Protecting and empowering small business
United States
