Big problems equal big solutions. Don't give up!
Nik and Harry (now 14) Robinson are two-time TEDx Speakers and the father and son co-founders of Australia’s most awarded eyewear brand, Good Citizens Eyewear. Driven by a shared purpose to untrash the planet®, they turned a family experiment into a globally recognised business by transforming waste into beautifully designed, functional products.
Their journey began at the kitchen table and took 752 days and 2,503 failed attempts to succeed. Along the way, they built an unconventional leadership model, with kids holding real decision-making power, proving that fresh perspectives and bold ideas can come from unexpected places.
Nik and Harry deliver powerful, highly engaging Keynotes that explore perseverance, failure and rethinking what’s possible when progress feels slow.
Their story has been shared across two TEDx stages, including TEDx Melbourne and the TEDx Global Idea Search in Sydney, and with organisations including Google, Tesla and the United Nations. The Good Citizens story has also been featured internationally, including a dedicated window at Selfridges London alongside Prada and coverage in Forbes US.
Known for their warmth, honesty and strong on-stage connection, Nik and Harry leave audiences energised, more connected and more confident taking the next step forward together.
Talking Points
The Good Citizens Story: Perseverance, failure and rethinking what’s possible
A true story of taking an impossible idea and making it work after 752 days and 2,503 failedThe Good Citizens Story: Perseverance, failure and rethinking what’s possible
attempts. Nik and Harry share what perseverance really looks like when progress is slow, confidence dips and quitting feels logical.
A human, entertaining keynote about sticking with good ideas long enough to give them a chance.
Innovation & Transformation: Seeing problems differently to unlock better solutions
Small shifts in thinking can lead to big breakthroughs. Through real examples from building Good Citizens Eyewear, Nik and Harry show why innovation rarely comes from perfect plans and more often comes from curiosity, experimentation and the willingness to rethink how things are done.
Innovation & Transformation: Seeing problems differently to unlock better solutions
Empathetic Employment: How the right processes unlock real capability
A practical look at inclusive employment done properly. Nik and Harry share how people with severe disabilities are part of their team, doing real work and contributing meaningfully because the right systems are in place.Empathetic Employment: How the right processes unlock real capability
A powerful reminder that when processes are designed well, people thrive and organisations become more connected
The Three Ps Framework: Purpose, Progress & Perspective
A simple framework for helping good ideas survive repeated failure. The Three Ps give teams a shared language for navigating unThe Three Ps Framework: Purpose, Progress & Perspective
certainty, maintaining momentum and making better decisions when outcomes aren’t immediate. This framework has been shaped through lived experience and two TEDx talks, and is designed to be practical, not theoretical.
Video
Nik & Harry Robinson | Keynote Speakers | The Good Citizens Story | Saxton Speakers
Nik and Harry Robinson share the true story behind Good Citizens Eyewear and what it takes to turn an impossible idea into a global business after 752 days and 2,503 failed attempts. This keynote showreel highlights their engaging, honest approach to perseverance, innovation and leadership, grounded in real experience and delivered with warmth, humour and impact.Why Kids Make the Best Business Partners | Nikolas & Harry Robinson | TEDxSydney GIS
If you've ever said "I've got an idea" this is for you. Nik gave his eight-year-old son equal decision-making power in building a global business. 2,503 failures later, they turned a discarded plastic bottle into eyewear made in Sydney. Along the way, they uncovered The Finger Bun Effect: why kids rarely accept no, yet adults abandon good ideas too easily, and how to rediscover that persistence. Imagine giving your eight-year-old equal say in a real business. Nik and Harry are the father and son co-founders of Good Citizens Eyewear, now Australia’s most awarded eyewear brand. Their journey was not for the faint-hearted. 2,503 failures later, they found success, inventing a way to turn a discarded plastic bottle into a pair of eyewear frames made in Sydney. From a window at Selfridges London next to Prada, to a feature in Forbes USA, inclusion in the school curriculum and talking at the United Nations, they have built a brand that challenges how things are made and who gets to make them.The World Doesn’t Need More Ideas - It Needs Braver Failures | Nik & Harry Robinson | TEDxMelbourne
A 14-year-old and his dad set out to “untrash” the planet by turning a single plastic bottle into a pair of sunglasses and failed over 2,500 times. In the process, they discovered that what really changes the world isn’t the brilliance of an idea, but the grit to keep going when everything (and everyone) tells you to stop. This talk shows how kid-like tenacity, simple rules and the “three Ps” can turn everyday failure into extraordinary impact. Nik and Harry Robinson are the father–son founders of Good Citizens Eyewear, on a mission to untrash the planet® by turning waste into something good. Nik - a former Triple M broadcaster, creative director, lecturer and donut maker began tackling the plastic crisis in 2018, inspired by his kids and wife Jocelyne. After 2,503 failed attempts over 752 days, they succeeded in transforming a single-use bottle into a 100% recycled, modular, repairable eyewear frame made in Sydney. Good Citizens flips business as usual: Harry (14) and Archie (12) share 50% of decision-making, proving bold leadership can come at any age. From the kitchen table to the UN, their journey has led to an exclusive Selfridges London window, keynote stages with Fortune 500 CEOs, and features in Forbes. Nik now co-writes a new course on circular design and lectures at UTS and UNSW, inspiring students to rethink and redesign the future.Nik & Harry Robinson | Green Business Council 2024 | Saxton Speakers
12 hours with Good Citizens
Nik Robinson | Dubai Global Retail Summit
Nik Robinson | Powerhouse Museum | Earth Day
Father Son Duo of Good Citizens Create Sunglasses From 100% Recycled Plastic!
Audio
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 ... keep reading essencemediacom
I was completely blown away by Nik's presentation which showcased his brand, journey and enthusiasm for what he does. Nik came to our conference in Dubai to give a keynote speech at The Retail Summit. He spoke with passion about his sustainable journey and impressed our audience of big brand C-Suite executives from all over the world, so much so that he was swamped when he left the stage!
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.
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.
Nik was keynote speaker for our inaugural Founders Summit Leadership retreat in Byron Bay. The 3-day retreat attracted a high calibre group of 30 elite, fast growth company founders, seeking to take their leadership prowess to the next level through purpose. Nik’s talk was a master-class in embracing an authentic personal mission and embedding it into the business. He taught us that purpose is not a trade-off to creating value. That when you offer a vision and proposition that connects the market with meaning, the business becomes a movement for improving the world. Our group was gripped by Nik’s story, his openness and humour - inspiring and contagious!
We invited Nik and Harry to speak at the opening of our investment and advisory business. A mixed crowd of clients, philanthropists, venture capital, and private equity was captivated by their story and approach to leading with a purpose. Many positive conversations flowed throughout the evening due to the talk they gave. They united the room.
Thank you Nik for coming to speak at our team day. The Good Citizens story of combining passion with purpose, resilience with courage and doing it all with true yatta minahare spirit could not have been a more suitable message for our team of marketers and innovators. Everyone was raving about inspired they felt and what an authentic speaker you were.
The Social Good Summit Australia (SGSA) is a United Nations Foundation affiliated event that connects individuals, Corporations, Not-for-profits, Government and Grassroots organisations to inspire and discuss solutions for the greatest challenges of our times. Each year the SGSA brings people together to create awareness and explore the possibilities of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals and fulfil the promise of creating a better world by 2030. Harry and Nik were part of our expert speaker line up at the first Melbourne edition of the SGSA in October 2022. Their engaging and dynamic style and delightful family story left the audience in tears of joy. The double act father and son is not only a great way to inspire people to make the world a better place but equality to help people to see better ways to parenting and family life. A great story, super engaging
When we were planning a ‘brand purpose’ session with the Marketing and Communications team at The University of Sydney and looking for guest speakers, Nik Robinson from Good Citizens was the first person that came to my mind. Nik was a perfect fit for this session and spoke passionately to the team about the Good Citizens journey and how important purpose has been in building his business and unique brand. He was engaging, entertaining and thought provoking and the team came away inspired about their own roles in working for a purposeful brand.
Good Citizens presented, to the VMware team as a part of our sustainability drive, bringing together their journey and drivers behind their product and family run business. Speaking, essentially to sales and marketing execs, Nic came across as passionate, yet humble, engaging with the audience in a way that tied back perfectly with VMware's EPIC2 sustainable pillars. Whilst being brutally honest about the struggles of getting product to market, Nik provided focus on the main topic of untrashing the planet. Partnering with Nik was Harry, his Year 7 son, who initiated the entire journey with his concerns for our planet. His youthful views and cheekiness (and ability to talk to a group of strangers) were a delight and a wonderful reminder of why we must improve the legacy that we will be leaving to his generation.
The Learn team have had the pleasure of working with Nik for our Masterclass series during the annual Shape exhibition. His expertise was illuminating for the students of HSC Design and Industrial Technology throughout the fortnight-long program at the Powerhouse Museum. Nik was invited as one of our special guest speakers to share his experience as a designer, and reveal his approach to developing and executing sustainable designprocesses inside Good Citizens. An effortless speaker who shares passionately about his practice, Nik keeps it fun and light all while inspiring and connecting with our visiting learners, both in person and live during our digital seminar series.
Wonderful interaction between the two speakers - a great story with many takeouts around resilience and innovation.
Nik and Harry were the highlight of our event. Great personality and stage presence, the presentation felt approachable and was an energetic end to our day!
