“Innovation belongs to everyone” with Adam Jacobs

Adam Jacobs is not your typical entrepreneur – in fact, the word makes him uncomfortable. A philosophical astrophysics boffin who once thought business was ‘gross’, Adam discovered the creative possibilities of commerce as a door-to-door knife salesperson during university and switched degrees. At the age of 29, Adam gave up an international career and a prestigious MBA to launch The Iconic, then a new concept for online retail in Australia which has since risen to extraordinary success.

Adam was just about to launch his new venture, Hatch, when the pandemic hit. Designed to match young people with project-based work to help them find meaningful careers, Hatch temporarily pivoted to helping big companies redeploy stood-workers into roles where they could capitalise on transferable skills. Adam received the CEO Magazine’s Young Executive of the Year Award in 2014 and was runner up for Managing Director of the Year, but philosophically for him it’s all about giving more than you get. He has a refreshingly different take on business and success and how to bring out the best in your team – including offering them six-month sabbaticals after two years of service. Adam was fascinating to talk to – I hope you enjoy the episode!

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