Fancy leaving the rat race? Karman Fung, the 157th person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, did so in 2017, after becoming financially independent. She’s even published a book on the subject, Ignite Your Superpower – How To Quit 9-5. Karms had built a successful career as a corporate accountant – [...]
When I met Holland-born Jan van Poortvliet, I discovered his life was once changed by a chance encounter with a stranger. Jan, the 156th person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, travelled to Sydney in 1999 for a holiday … and met a woman. Two months later, Jan flew back to [...]
When Nicholas Charles started out in real estate back in 1988, he was not so much a rent collector as a debt collector. Nick, the 155th person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, had the job of knocking on the doors of people who were behind in their rent. In those [...]
Laura Sacks wants to change the world, one gift hamper at a time. Laura, the 154th person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, has a wonderful business, Considered Co., that combines gifting with social justice. Considered Co., which launched in 2020, sells gift hampers. All its suppliers are Australian small businesses [...]
Too much work, not enough travel would be one way to sum up Jason Smith's life. Jason, the 153rd person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, has worked like a demon since leaving school at 15. He's sold encyclopedias, insurance, property and more. He's founded and exited two businesses – a [...]
Falling in love is one of life’s great pleasures … and breaking up one of its great miseries. That’s where Jan Holland, the 152nd person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, comes in. Jan is a divorce and relationship breakup coach who helps people deal with the pain of separation. As [...]
Put up your hand if you’ve ever resisted change in any of the companies where you’ve worked? Friska Wirya, the 151st person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, would like to have a word with you. Friska is a change management consultant: she helps companies make and sustain fundamental changes, to [...]
"I love walking into a room where I don't know anyone," said Mike Lanzing, the 150th person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers. Most people would shudder at the thought of having to make conversation with all those strangers. But Mike is such a warm, social person that he delights in [...]
Here’s a fun fact about May Chang, the 149th person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers. May has been in the same book club for two decades. Every six weeks or so, one of the ladies (they’re all ladies) hosts the other members of the club. The host not only provides [...]
What would you do if everything was taken from you? That happened to Stella Gianotto, the 147th person I've met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers. Stella lost her marriage, her business (her husband was her business partner), her home and most of her possessions. She also lost her identity, because without those [...]
