Nick Stone

I decided to keep studying after football. I did a master's degree. And then part of my plan to get to New York, because of the financial crisis and the inability to really get a job, a lot of the US banks, Lehman Brothers failed, a lot of the banks were cutting roles, was actually to do an MBA. And I had a mentor who had coached me in banking who's from Princeton, New Jersey.

I decided to keep studying after football. I did a master's degree. And then part of my plan to get to New York, because of the financial crisis and the inability to really get a job, a lot of the US banks, Lehman Brothers failed, a lot of the banks were cutting roles, was actually to do an MBA. And I had a mentor who had coached me in banking who's from Princeton, New Jersey.

And his advice to me was actually, don't quit your job to go full-time in an MBA. Why don't you do an MBA in Melbourne at Melbourne University and continue working, continue learning and experiencing a practical job? Don't just go academic. And the advice was invaluable. It was such salient, truthful and beneficial advice. So when I went to New York, I actually ended up...

And his advice to me was actually, don't quit your job to go full-time in an MBA. Why don't you do an MBA in Melbourne at Melbourne University and continue working, continue learning and experiencing a practical job? Don't just go academic. And the advice was invaluable. It was such salient, truthful and beneficial advice. So when I went to New York, I actually ended up...

facilitating an exchange. And I went to a university that I wasn't really familiar with. It was called Fordham University. And I went to the graduate school there and I was able to study at the executive program. So when I landed, I was a student full time for the first time in my life. And I used that as an opportunity to meet as many people as humanly possible. So I formed friendships. I

facilitating an exchange. And I went to a university that I wasn't really familiar with. It was called Fordham University. And I went to the graduate school there and I was able to study at the executive program. So when I landed, I was a student full time for the first time in my life. And I used that as an opportunity to meet as many people as humanly possible. So I formed friendships. I

but I just proactively engaged them. I asked how their journey, why they're here. Do they ever want to go have a coffee or a beer or go for the gym and go for a run? What's their best restaurants? What are the things I have to see? And then when I was in New York, I was really fortunate. I had my wife or girlfriend back there. She knew some people, but I think she connected me with someone. And

but I just proactively engaged them. I asked how their journey, why they're here. Do they ever want to go have a coffee or a beer or go for the gym and go for a run? What's their best restaurants? What are the things I have to see? And then when I was in New York, I was really fortunate. I had my wife or girlfriend back there. She knew some people, but I think she connected me with someone. And

Then I joined a gym group. And then there was an Australian rules football group. And it's probably a bit of a secret source, a special skill that a lot of Australians embody, particularly those that are more nomadic and are willing to go overseas and try their best. It's the ability to socialize. Aussies love social settings. They love...

Then I joined a gym group. And then there was an Australian rules football group. And it's probably a bit of a secret source, a special skill that a lot of Australians embody, particularly those that are more nomadic and are willing to go overseas and try their best. It's the ability to socialize. Aussies love social settings. They love...

getting together with others to celebrate, to catch up, to have a coffee, to watch a game, to go to a concert, go to a festival, go skiing. I think it's probably very similar to Israelis. Australia only has a population of 25 million. And a lot of people are shocked when I say that because there's Aussies everywhere.

getting together with others to celebrate, to catch up, to have a coffee, to watch a game, to go to a concert, go to a festival, go skiing. I think it's probably very similar to Israelis. Australia only has a population of 25 million. And a lot of people are shocked when I say that because there's Aussies everywhere.

And there's some of those common traits around socializing and hanging out and humility and also being generous with your time. So if someone does reach out to you and say, hey, Nick, I heard that you're in town. Is there any chance I could grab a coffee to chat about my startup idea? Or I'm trying to get a job in finance or I've got a hospitality company. Can I pick your brain?

And there's some of those common traits around socializing and hanging out and humility and also being generous with your time. So if someone does reach out to you and say, hey, Nick, I heard that you're in town. Is there any chance I could grab a coffee to chat about my startup idea? Or I'm trying to get a job in finance or I've got a hospitality company. Can I pick your brain?

I've always paid it back because so many people have provided me that opportunity. It's a very, very strong Australian trait and a value that my parents also instilled in me.

I've always paid it back because so many people have provided me that opportunity. It's a very, very strong Australian trait and a value that my parents also instilled in me.

It has its status.

It has its status.

Alana, this is the million dollar question because there's been... Many times over the Bluestone Lane journey of 11 years, especially during the depths of COVID, I was really scratching my head. Why did I have a retail business that wasn't able to operate, that was shut down by the city, that was trying to ensure that people didn't come together? It's a very, very good question.

Alana, this is the million dollar question because there's been... Many times over the Bluestone Lane journey of 11 years, especially during the depths of COVID, I was really scratching my head. Why did I have a retail business that wasn't able to operate, that was shut down by the city, that was trying to ensure that people didn't come together? It's a very, very good question.