This years 40 Under 40 are an innovative bunch. They show direction in their respective industries as significant entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Adam Harris

Director of Harris Smokehouse

Adam opened the doors of Harris Smokehouse 15 years ago. He has since built the family-owned seafood smoking business from its small beginnings in the Adelaide Hills to a nationwide importer, manufacturer and distributor.

Adam says he wanted to create a brand that “reduced our impact on our planet, not increased it”, with a focus on ethically sourced products and sustainability.

Favourite TV show of all time? Top Gear… I’m a fast car tragic.

Catherine Harper

Owner & Veterinarian of Barossa Veterinary Service

For Dr Catherine Harper, her career as a veterinarian is one where passion meets purpose.

Since acquiring Barossa Veterinary Service (BVS) – formerly known as PI Jones and Associates – in 2016, the entrepreneur has scaled up the business by opening a third location and increasing turnover five-fold. This means an additional 24 jobs for Catherine’s local community where she operates – Nuriootpa, Kapunda and Tanunda.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Listen to everything and use the parts that work for you.

Giles Kirby

Founder of Firefly Biotech

Following on from his successful academic career, Giles founded Firefly Biotech after noticing a lack of appropriate tools for scientists to access space in their research.

Since its creation in 2021, the Adelaide-based company has been pioneering the creation of tools to help biologists undertake interplanetary research, with a focus on space healthcare and medical research. Giles is also on the board of directors of the Wireless Institute of Australia and a science advisor to the Commonwealth of Australia.

Favourite movie of all time? Donnie Darko.

Kiara Suzann Johnson

Founder & Owner of KSJ Consulting

Kiara founded KSJ Consulting in 2019, which is the first majority-owned female Aboriginal business operating in South Australia.

After overcoming challenges of sexism and racism in the civil construction industry, Kiara chose to create an organisation that would take inclusion seriously and create tangible outcomes.

With 25 staff, KSJ has been engaged by SA Health, SA Water and the state’s Industry Advocate to create equitable outcomes, consult with Traditional Owners on civil projects and increase Aboriginal workforce participation.

Most adventurous thing you’ve done? Shark cage diving.

Shane Hryhorec

Director of Push Mobility

Shane created Push Mobility in 2013 to offer better-quality equipment to people with disabilities.

At the age of 23, Shane incurred an incomplete C5 spinal injury after a swimming pool accident. Since becoming a wheelchair user, he found gaps in the market that could be addressed by better, more inclusive business. In 2020, Shane founded co-able, an accessible hub in Port Adelaide with boardrooms, a communal kitchen, bathrooms, suites and an accessible gym.

He’s founded the charity Accessible Beaches, working with councils and life saving clubs to make beaches accessible to people regardless of ability, neurodiversity or age. He owns Confession, formerly a nightclub, now a function space for hire. 

Fringe or Festival? Fringe. It brings SA alive.