This week I chat with Nicolas Chiew, a husband, father and qualified Engineer who works as the Operations Director for three industry associations and also as a Director for a Registered Training Organisation.

Nicolas studied a bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) at the University of New South Wales and started his career as a Project Engineer, cutting his teeth at multi-national engineering giant Sinclair Knight Merz. After five years working in this field, Nicolas felt underappreciated and wanted to explore his own autonomy and build his career his way. Nicolas seized on an opportunity and went on to found, build and later sell a successful telecommunications consulting firm.

After 10 years running his own business Nicolas’ marriage broke down and he discusses how he dealt with the three most stressful events a person can experience – divorce, selling a home and selling a business. Nicolas opens up about his mental health battles and how he found solace working in the aid space on ‘for purpose’ projects which included volunteering for a research project looking for orangutangs in Sumatra Indonesia!

Nicolas promised a warts and all interview and he definitely delivered. Life is full of ups and downs and Nicolas’ story is no exception.

You can follow Nicolas on LinkedIn.

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