192 - Jack Reis - CEO, Baidam Solutions

Arete Podcast with Richard Triggs

What do you do when a promising professional sporting career with the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League is cut short by injury? For Thursday Island born, Jack Reis, it meant an unexpected diversion to studying business and finance, a diversion that ultimately led to him co-founding Baidam, a Cyber Security Consultancy in Brisbane, four years ago. Pivotal in Jack’s decision to start the business, was his experience as a branch manager for Commonwealth Bank and a seven-year stint at Indigenous Business Australia, a Federal Government body tasked with helping indigenous citizens with business startups, home loans and investment support. Jack explains in our podcast interview that he and his business partner bootstrapped the business, working out of the coffee shop at the Hilton for 18 months, before they could afford a dedicated office in the Brisbane CBD. He also explains the strategic yet mission-based choice of cyber security for the business, and the unique opportunities and pathways it’s now providing for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. If you like stories of businesses doing good, listen in on my chat with Jack. Baidam Solutions Website - http://www.baidam.com.au/ Jack Reis on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jack-reis-446ab1102/ Richard Triggs on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs/ Arete Website: www.areteexecutive.com.au/