Living in Sydney--A Thriving Entrepreneurship Center
G'day from down under! I have exciting news to share with everyone who follows my blog. First, innovation and startup are a huge part of my professional life, and have now guided me in my personal life to live in one of the world's premiere cities--Sydney, Australia!This city is a thriving center of innovation and entrepreneurship. I have a lot to share with everyone in the USA about what is going on here in the innovation and entrepreneurship space. In coming posts, I will share the many opportunities for Americans wanting to invest or sell products here. First, let me quickly catch you up on me.
Why I am Living in Sydney
I relocated to Sydney in November 2016 after visiting here many times over the past two years. My move is strictly personal as I am married to an Australian and we decided to make our home here. I loved my life in Western New York. Three of my grown children and grandchildren live in Western New York. I also have a daughter and a grandchild in Virginia. Being back in America to visit my mother and family each year is a must.
Now that I am running an international business with clients in the States and here in Australia (known as Oz here), Sydney is our home base, but we will also spend time in the USA between Buffalo, New York and New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Now that I am running an international business with clients in the States and here in Australia (known as Oz here), Sydney is our home base, but we will also spend time in the USA between Buffalo, New York and New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
What I am Doing
After almost three decades in corporate and non-profit executive management, I have launched out as an entrepreneur. Working for another family building their vision and balance sheet without an equity stake became too constraining for me. I am now building my own portfolio business full-time under my Kevin Baker Inc. flagship.
Kevin Baker Inc. is my business consulting practice founded in 2012 in New York. My original consulting business continues with clients in New York and now here in Sydney specializing in:
And finally, after 10 years leading a food manufacturing company with sales channels in major grocery stores, I am working on launching a line of "New York Style" branded food products in the market here.
- M&A Advisory and business brokering.
- Due diligence services for business buyers.
- Exit and succession strategies for sellers all the way through sale.
- Capital sourcing strategies--Working with existing business owners, startups, and business buyers on business plans; presentation decks for lenders, seed capital, angel investing, and venture capital; and cap tables.
- General management consulting with a focus on strategic growth.
I have also added a Chair Group practice providing group and 1:1 executive coaching affiliated with The Executive Connection (TEC) in North Sydney. In the USA, I had been a member of the executive peer mentoring organization Vistage. TEC is the Aussie counterpart to Vistage. So I have changed which seat I sit in--from member to Group Chair.
And finally, after 10 years leading a food manufacturing company with sales channels in major grocery stores, I am working on launching a line of "New York Style" branded food products in the market here.
What I am Excited About
One of the first steps I took as a former college professor in a new country is to find my way into the academic ecosystem here.
I was very excited discovering the "Gather, Innovate, and Grow Engine (GIG Engine) Created by the Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) and NewSouth Innovations (NSi) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney Australia. Initiatives like this help people like me meet the new people in a new country!
I was very excited discovering the "Gather, Innovate, and Grow Engine (GIG Engine) Created by the Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) and NewSouth Innovations (NSi) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney Australia. Initiatives like this help people like me meet the new people in a new country!
What's New?
As an American living abroad, I am still reading the same websites, talking to the same people, and have a USA phone number so I am very connected to America. The only difference is travel takes a bit longer to see clients! I now rely more on Go to Meeting, Messenger, and Google Hangouts to see Americans when I am here in Sydney.
Here in Sydney, I am enjoying meeting new people and building a new network. It is a true entrepreneurial work here, and I am loving it.
Here in Sydney, I am enjoying meeting new people and building a new network. It is a true entrepreneurial work here, and I am loving it.
So, with all that and more new with me (I will tell you more later), what's new with you? I am launching my "Peak Your Potential" podcast in the near future and will be interviewing many whose life and business stories will inspire others to push toward the summit of their life potential--so please write if you think others in Australia and the USA would like to hear about your story!
Keep climbing!
Keep climbing!
Kevin
No comments:
Post a Comment