40 Under 40 winner of the day: Themis Chryssidis
South Australian dietician Themis Chryssidis wants to empower individuals when it comes to food.
As the managing director and co-founder of Sprout, Chryssidis wants to show how Australians can use fresh, local and seasonal produce to create healthy and delicious meals.
Sprout was founded in 2011 and provides a variety of services, including catering and training.
The Sprout Cooking school offers a range of cooking classes and menu/design review services; Sprout Health Studio offers nutrition, dietetics, physiotherapy, podiatry and chiropractic services; Sprout Catering supplies fresh and seasonal food to South Australia for events; and Sprout Training operates as a Registered Training Organisation (TRO) and offers courses in areas such as in Dietary Requirement Awareness and Safety.
Overall, the Sprout brand has more than 35 staffers and five income streams.
Chryssidis also co-founded and manages Dietary Hawk – a company which aims to educate food businesses on managing dietary requirements safely, whether it’s allergies, intolerances, coeliac disease, or religious and ethical views.
Chryssidis completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Adelaide in 2006 and gained a graduate certificate in human nutrition from Deakin University in 2007.
He also completed a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Griffith University in 2010.
In 2011, Chryssidis and his colleague Callum Hann – a runner-up in the 2010 series of MasterChef – authored the cookbook Quick. Easy. Healthy.
In 2017 he was awarded the Young Achievers Award from the Dieticians Association of Australia.
In June, Chryssidis was named in InDaily’s 40 Under 40, which recognises the best and brightest young business people in South Australia.
What is the single most important lesson you have learnt in your business career so far?
Communication and making sure my team is on the same page. You can be a strong, focused, charismatic leader with a strong vision for your business but if the people who are the key to helping your business achieve its goals aren’t on the same page, then it will never happen. Open, honest, clear communication is key.
What do you believe are the strengths of doing business in South Australia?
The people. There is a genuine sense of support from the local community towards South Australian businesses. We are the most parochial state in Australia. Our desire to support local businesses by sticking our hand in our pockets or helping with local connections is what keeps our state alive and makes it great.
What do you believe are the weak points of conducting business in South Australia?
Constant red tape, government regulations and forever moving goal posts for things such as company tax impede businesses ability to plan and reinvest in their business. Consultation with business or greater communication of policy and its impacts on business will reduce resistance from business owners and facilitate better business planning and growth.
Also, while we are very much a proud state, interstate and overseas advocacy is important for growth. This may already occur, but telling South Australian businesses how we are being represented beyond our borders is important particularly in areas such as education and tourism.
Do you see your future in South Australia?
Absolutely. South Australia offers the best lifestyle in Australia in terms of community, culture, affordability and food and wine. With strong leadership, South Australia has some exciting times ahead.
How can the state encourage more of its young leaders to stay?
Build a vision. Get young people excited. Tell them why they should stay. Tell them where the future opportunities lie in South Australia.
Create a program to identify future leaders and give them a voice and a chance to influence the future.
To see the full list of 40 winners go here.
InDaily is profiling each of the winners – go here to read more.