Australian entrepreneur, founder of RedBalloon, Shark Tank Australia investor, and business leader.
Naomi Simson began her career in corporate marketing, gaining experience with leading global brands such as IBM, KPMG, Apple Computer Australia, and Ansett Australia. In 2001, she founded RedBalloon, a pioneering online experience gift retailer, launching the business from her home with a personal investment of $25,000. Over the next decade, she grew the company to a team of 46 and built one of Australia’s most recognised consumer brands. Naomi served as CEO until 2011, when she shifted focus from daily operations to strategic growth.
In 2017, Naomi co-founded Big Red Group with business partner David Anderson. Today, Big Red Group is a platform with a portfolio that includes RedBalloon, Adrenaline, Experience Oz, Local Agent, and Everything NZ and 100s of other sites.
Naomi is well known for her role as one of the original “Sharks” on four seasons of Shark Tank Australia, where she supported and invested in dozens of startups. Through her work on the show, Naomi became a champion of Australia’s entrepreneurial community and small business owners, offering candid insights into pitching, scaling, and building purpose-driven businesses.
She also appeared on The Secret Millionaire – Australia, where she spent time volunteering in underprivileged communities before revealing her identity and donating to causes she connected with personally.
The experience deepened her contribution, which continues through her philanthropic efforts today. Naomi's passion for business is matched only by her passion for giving back. She believes true leadership is about contributing to the community. She proudly serves on the boards of the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation and the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics. Her journey has also included rewarding volunteer roles with Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), YPO, Heads Over Heels, Voiceless, and Best Buddies. From serving as a Sydney Swans ambassador to hosting women's education tours and personally mentoring hundreds of young founders, she is deeply committed to using her platform to help build a more innovative, inclusive, and compassionate Australia.
With more than 2.6 million followers on LinkedIn, she is the most followed business influencers in Australia. Her thought leadership has helped inspire and guide entrepreneurs and leaders globally. She is a Fellow of AICD and a B.Comm from the University of Melbourne.
She is the author of two books:
Live What You Love (2015)
Ready to Soar (2016)
Naomi is a busy and sought after keynote speaker.
The Long winding road of the Entrepreurial Journey
Australian Payments Plus | Independent Non-Exec Director | Sydney, Feb 2022 - Present
Colonial First State | Independent Director | Sydney, Jul 2023 - Present
Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX:WBT) | Independent Director | Sydney, Aug 2023 - Present
University of Melb | Advisor, Business & Eco Board | Melbourne, Feb 2017 – Dec 2025
Cerebral Palsy Alliance | Governor, Research Foundation | Sydney, Jul 2013 - Present
Global Market Places | Non-Executive Director | Jul 2021 - Jan 2023 (appointed by Tanarra Capital to support IPO)
Craveable Brands | Non-Executive Director | Feb 2017 - Aug 2017 (joined during Archer Capital IPO process)
Apropela (formerly Heads Over Heels) | Advisory Board Member | Jan 2012 - Mar 2017 (remains ambassador)
Voiceless | Council Member & Judge | Aug 2009 - Mar 2017
RedBalloon | Sydney, 2001 - Present
Founder & Director (2001 - Present) | CEO (2001 - 2011)
Bright Marketing | Sydney, 1995 - 2001
Managing Director
Ansett Australia | Melbourne, 1989 - 1992
KPMG Peat Marwick | Marketing Officer | Melbourne, 1988 - 1989
Compudan - EAC | Marketing Executive | Copenhagen, 1986 - 1987
IBM - World Trade Corp | Marketing Executive | New York, 1984 - 1986
Regular panellist on ABC's The Drum
Secret Millionaire
Judge for numerous business awards including EY Entrepreneur of the Year
Australia's most followed person on LinkedIn with 2.6+ million followers
Author of two best-selling books: "Live What You Love" and "Ready to Soar"
Prolific business commentator through blogging, podcasting, Handpicked by Naomi Simson and media appearances
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
Hewitt Best Employer for four consecutive years (90%+ employee engagement vs. 54% Australian average)
Harvard University | Disruptive Innovation Seminar (2010)
MIT | Entrepreneurial Program - Birthing of Giants (2006-2007)
University of Melbourne | Bachelor of Commerce (1982-1984)
- Majors: Economics, Commercial Law, Accounting
- Sub-Majors: Marketing, Business Administration
Young Presidents Organization – Sydney Gold
Melbourne Cricket Club
CEW – Chief Executive Women
Sydney Swans
I have a personal motto: "if it is to be it is up to me"
For several decades, I have been at the forefront of Australian entrepreneurship. From founding RedBalloon with a big idea and a second-hand computer to co-founding the industry-leading Big Red Group, my career has been defined by a relentless passion for building great brands and advocacy for business owners.
Australia's #1 Business & Keynote Speaker
When organisations look for a speaker who can deliver a powerful, practical, and truly inspirational message, they come to me. I am sought-after for my ability to connect with the audience, holding the room with entertaining stories and down-to-earth, actionable advice on leadership, growth, customer, and the entrepreneurial mindset.
A Respected Media Commentator & Business Expert
From my role as a "Shark" on the hit series Shark Tank Australia to my frequent appearances across national media, I am the go-to expert for insightful, practical commentary on the business landscape. I have a unique ability to translate complex business challenges into relatable, understandable conversations that resonate with a mainstream audience. I appeared regulary on ABC The Drum, Q&A, Studio 10, The Project and various Sky News programs.
An Active Leader and Entrepreneur
As the co-founder of the Big Red Group and the host of the acclaimed "Handpicked" podcast, and a company director on several commercial boards I remain deeply engaged at the coalface of Australian business. This hands-on experience ensures my insights are always current, relevant, and grounded in the reality of what it takes to build and scale a successful company today.
Beyond the boardroom, my greatest passion is giving back to the communities that have supported me. Whether it is the small business community, start-ups, academia or charities, my community and volunteer work is focused on three key pillars:
Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders: A core part of my community work is dedicated to mentoring and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs. This includes my past involvement with Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), YPO, and Heads Over Heels, alongside my ongoing commitment to personally mentoring hundreds of individual founders and young people.
Championing Social Causes: I believe in using my platform to advocate for important social causes. My past volunteer roles with Voiceless (animal welfare) and Best Buddies (intellectual and developmental inclusion) were incredibly rewarding. This work continues through my current board position at the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, helping to fund vital research.
Fostering Education & Community Spirit: My commitment extends to the broader community. I proudly serve on the board for the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics, and I am a past advisor to the vice chancellor of the University of Technology (UTS). I have hosted international education tours for women, and was a proud ambassador for the Sydney Swans since 2017. For me, these diverse roles are not separate from my business life; they are an integral part of my leadership philosophy—that true success is about supporting others in the broader community.
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Entrepreneur
Sharktank Australia