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Keynote speakers like no other
Two-time TEDx speakers Nik and 15-year-old Harry Robinson are Australian keynote speakers on innovation, leadership and resilience, sharing a remarkable story of real-world failure, belief and progress. Together, the father-and-son duo challenge assumptions, reframe failure and shift how teams think, decide and act. Co-founders of Good Citizens Eyewear, Nik and Harry spent 752 days and 2,503 failed attempts turning an impossible idea into Australia’s most awarded eyewear brand. Their journey has been shared on the TEDx Melbourne stage and through the TEDx Global Idea Search, and has taken them to keynote for organisations including Google, Tesla and the United Nations. The brand has been recognised internationally, with a feature in Forbes US and an exclusive three-month Selfridges London window, becoming a globally recognised example of innovation driven by persistence rather than perfection. What sets Nik and Harry apart is not just the story, but the delivery. Presenting together on stage, a founder and his 15-year-old son bring radically different generational perspectives that challenge hierarchy, question conventional thinking and bring honesty, humour and clarity to complex challenges. While sustainability is the backdrop to their journey, the heart of their keynotes is innovation, leadership, resilience and culture. Audiences have described their sessions as “Captivated and inspired” (Google APAC), “Awe inspiring and heartwarming” (EssenceMediacom) and “Truly inspiring” (Media Federation of Australia). Audiences leave energised and equipped with practical frameworks for navigating failure, seeing problems with fresh eyes and turning ideas into progress.
Topics covered
The Good Citizens Story
Experience a heartfelt keynote by Nik and his 15-year-old son, Harry. After 752 days and 2,503 failed attempts, they found a way to turn a discarded plastic bottle into a 100% recycled eyewear frame made in Sydney.
From a window at Selfridges London and a feature in Forbes US to speaking at the United Nations and becoming Australia's most awarded eyewear brand, their journey inspires individuals, organisations and communities. The Good Citizens story is a powerful reminder that world-changing ideas can come from anyone, anywhere.
Key Take Aways:
Innovation:
How big problems can lead to big solutions.
Purpose:
How having a purpose helps you deal with failure.
Perspective:
Why fresh eyes can unlock different thinking.
Innovation & Transformation
Often, the best solutions come from the most unexpected places and people. Fear of failure and judgement can stop individuals and teams from exploring new ideas. Nik and Harry believe problems are their friends, and the bigger the problem, the bigger the solution, the bigger the story.
Through 2,503 failed attempts, they learned the value of fresh eyes, questioning assumptions and a healthy dose of calculated naivety. Their story shows how simplifying problems and looking at the familiar differently can unlock new ideas and opportunities.
Key Take Aways:
See familiar problems through fresh eyes.
Question assumptions that get in the way of new ideas.
Use calculated naivety to unlock unexpected solutions.
Failure & Resilience
Everyone celebrates failure once the story has a happy ending. It's much harder when you're in the middle of it.
Nik and Harry spent 752 days and 2,503 failed attempts trying to make their idea work. Their story explores how to keep moving when the answer isn't obvious, why small signs of progress matter and how failure can become information rather than a reason to stop.
Key Take Aways:
Reframe failure as part of progress.
Use small wins to keep people moving.
Build the belief to keep going when the answer isn't obvious.
Watch us speak
Featured in
Our story has made headlines. From Forbes US and the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald to national primetime TV news.
How this Dad and his sons are creating Good Citizens: A 100% sustainable Australian sunglass range made from recycled plastic bottles.
Sydneysider Nik Robinson's children were learning about the future of the enviroment at school and decided to do something about it.
Testimonials
Awe-inspiring. Heartwarming.
We were absolutely delighted to have Nik and Harry grace our stage as the keynote speakers for the highly anticipated launch of Essencemediacom, the merger of two prominent media agencies in Australia. The entire day was centered around the concept of 'breakthrough thinking,' and the Good Citizens story they shared perfectly encapsulated this theme.
Their keynote presentation was truly exceptional, leaving a lasting impact on everyone in attendance. It was an awe-inspiring, heartwarming, and humor-filled experience that resonated deeply with our audience. In fact, an overwhelming 79% of our employees identified it as the most memorable highlight of the entire day.
Sophie Price. Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)
at essencemediacom
Captivated & inspired.
Nik & Harry are an amazing father-son speaker duo - funny, earnest & brutally honest about the challenges of trying to start a family business to help save the planet. Our team was absolutely captivated & inspired.
Gabi Conlon. Director - Google Product Partnerships, APAC
Truly inspiring.
Nik and Harry Robinson were keynotes at our events in Sydney and Melbourne, March 2023.
Their story was truly inspiring (they pushed through, where most of us would have given up), their purpose to untrash the planet was motivating and I know everyone walked away energised to be good citizens.
All up they spoke to over 320 leaders in the media agency industry, everyone was engaged.
Linda Wong, Director, People at the Media Federation of Australia
Book Nik and Harry today
Enquire now to see how Nik and Harry can make a difference to your organisation and event.
Visit our Good Citizens company website
For immediate assistance call
Joss +61 403 919 340
Nik +61 403 751 021