Nik & Harry Robinson
Co-Founders & Sustainability Entrepreneurs, Good Citizens Eyewear
Father-and-son duo behind Good Citizens Eyewear, turning waste into purpose and proving that business can change the world. Their story inspires, challenges assumptions, and shows that bold ideas and leadership can come from any age. Nik and Harry bring humour, honesty, and energy to every stage, leaving audiences ready to go do something good.
Quick Contact
Nik and Harry are the father-and-son duo behind Good Citizens Eyewear, a business on a mission to untrash the planet® by turning waste into something truly good. After 2,503 failed prototypes over 752 days, they transformed a single-use plastic bottle into a 100% recycled, modular, repairable eyewear frame — all made in Sydney.
Their approach to business is as bold as their products: power is shared equally, with sons Harry and Archie holding 50% of decision-making, proving that leadership and innovation have no age limit. From their kitchen table to the United Nations, and alongside Fortune 500 CEOs, their story challenges assumptions, sparks action and inspires change.
Recognised globally, Good Citizens has been featured in Forbes US, named one of Australia’s Top 20 Coolest Retailers, and won Best in Class at the Good Design Awards. Nik was also named Time Out’s Sustainability Future Shaper. They’ve spoken to innovation teams at Google and Tesla, met with the Prime Minister on change initiatives, and now help shape higher education courses in circular design and sustainable manufacturing.
Nik and Harry bring energy, honesty, and humour to their talks, helping teams reconnect with purpose, rethink challenges, and leave inspired to go do something good.
Video
Topics
The Good Citizens Story
Experience a heartfelt keynote by Nik and his young son, Harry. After 752 days and 2503 failed attempts, they found a way to turn a discarded plastic bottle into a 100% recycled eyewear frame made in Sydney.
Key Takeaways:
- Innovation – How big problems can lead to big solutions.
- Purpose –How having a purpose helps you deal with failure.
- Vulnerability – Builds honest and lasting relationships.
Innovation & Transformation
Often, the best solutions come from the most unexpected places and people. Fear of failure and judgment often discourage individuals and teams from exploring new ideas. Good Citizens believe problems are their friends, and the bigger the problem, the bigger the solution, the bigger the story!
Global supply chains are being challenged; cheap labour is no longer cheap, and customers want locally-made, more sustainable products. These hurdles can all be overcome through simplifying the problem, forward-thinking and clever design.
Key Takeaways:
- See how purpose-driven thinking and a sweet dose of calculated naivety can transform all aspects of your business, including marketing, customer experiences, product innovations, and a happy CFO!
- Good design not only solves problems but creates opportunities.
Empathetic Employment
A diverse and inclusive culture is central to Good Citizens’ values. They believe no one should be left behind, regardless of age or ability. Their team of helpers ranges from 11 to 89 years old, showing how different generations bring valuable perspectives and problem-solving skills. At their dispatch centre, a team with a range of disabilities proves daily that with the right systems, anyone can hit targets, complete tasks, and end the day smiling, knowing they’re helping untrash the planet of single-use plastic.
Key Takeaways:
- The right people and systems can achieve any task.
- Purpose can unite diverse groups to achieve shared goals.
- Authentic storytelling makes customers feel truly connected.
- Purpose aligns employees, customers, and suppliers.
