Top 10 Aussie entrepreneurs to follow on Instagram

Instagram is one of the fastest growing social networks around. At last count Instagram had five million monthly active users in Australia and the appeal for small business owners is it provides a free form of marketing which can help drive sales to your business.

Unlike the more established social media networks like Facebook and Twitter, Instagram still provides opportunities to gain traction with users without paying for advertising.

Now SmartCompany has jumped on board launching our own Instagram account where we will be sharing the latest business news and inspiration from entrepreneurs. You can follow us at @smartcompanyau.

To inspire you to join us we’ve tracked down the top 10 Aussie entrepreneurs to follow on Instagram.

1. Naomi Simson

@NaomiSimson

2000 followers

The Instagram account of Shark Tank judge and RedBalloon founder Naomi Simson is distinctly red hued. Simson not only dresses in her signature colour but also carries red handbags wears red sunglasses. Simson’s account documents her business life and travels on the speakers’ circuit publicizing her new book, Live What You Love. As Simson posts “do what you love and you’ll never have a problem with Monday”.

2. Ruslan Kogan

@RuslanKogan

400 followers

The founder of Kogan.com is a relative newcomer to Instagram only signing up two months ago. Ruslan Kogan’s Instagram account gives you an insight into the entrepreneur’s personal life with posts of him watching football and having a BBQ in the bush. He also shares information about his business with a recent post on his invitation to be a part of the NASDAQ opening bell ringing ceremony for PayPal which Kogan describes as “a great company that’s been part of the @Kogan story since Day 1”.

3. Jane Lu

@TheLazyCEO

127,000 followers

Bikinis, beaches, kittens and CEO sleep-outs. Jane Lu is not your average entrepreneur and this isn’t your average Instagram account. Lu is the founder of online retailer and Smart50 finalist ShowPo and an expert at using Instagram in her business. So it’s no surprise that Lu’s personal Instagram account is one of the most popular around with 127,000 followers. Lu documents the latest styles to arrive at ShowPo, her life as a business owner (check out her “I’m not bossy, I am the boss” mug) and her gold sparkly laptop.

4. Andrea Culligan

@ACulligan

100 followers

Following Andrea Culligan’s Instagram account gives you an insight into the life of one of Australia’s busiest female entrepreneurs. The founder of the Hart Effect packs a lot into her life and this is reflected in her Instagram posts. Expect to see snaps from business events and also more personal pictures of Culligan’s holidays and her dog Charlie.

5. Andre Eikmeier

@MofoAndre

200 followers

As the owner of a wine business it’s not surprising that alcohol features heavily in Andre Eikmeier’s Instagram posts. The co-founder of online wine retailer Vinomofo posts photos of the wine and gin that he’s drinking but also includes a few family snaps. Eikmeier makes the occasional business reference in his Instagram posts with a picture from last year revealing he’s been completing a company director’s course

6. Jack Delosa

@JackDelosa

5000 followers

Serial entrepreneur Jack Delosa uses Instagram to promote his latest business, The Entourage, an education institution aimed at developing and educating a “new breed of” entrepreneur. Delosa is a former SmartCompany Hot 30 under 30 winner and his Instagram account includes lot of inspirational quotes alongside pictures of his latest reading, which includes Ken Robinson’s Creative Schools and Stephen Hall’s Wisdom: From philosophy to neuroscience. Delosa also invites social media jealousy having posted a recent selfie with Richard Branson on the Virgin founder’s island.

7. Sali Stevanja and Julie Stevanja

@mrssalisasi and @juliestevanja

11,000 followers

The co-founders of StyleRunner document just the sort of stylish life you would expect in their Instagram accounts. Julie and Sali Stevanja both post plenty of fashion photos as well as personal pictures and some of their own personal mottos along the lines of “be fearlessly authentic” and “work hard, play hard”. Stevanja has left StyleRunner and is now focusing on launching an online community for women called Poppy Renegade which she is also documenting on Instagram.

8. Carolyn Creswell

@carolyncreswell

600 followers

“Oh how I love daydreaming about what could be next…” Carolyn Creswell, founder of Carman’s Fine Foods, posts on her Instagram account next to a quote charting the growth of Uber and Airbnb. The sky’s the limit for this entrepreneur whose Instagram posts include pictures of her children, her with fellow entrepreneurs and some musings on her life as an entrepreneur.

9. Finn Kelly

@thefinnreview

500 followers

SmartCompany blogger and co-founder of Wealth Enhancers Finn Kelly uses his Instagram account to record his sporting and travel adventures. Kelly’s photos include him running the Sydney half marathon, cycling in New York and skiing in Park City, Utah.

10. Jo Burston

@Jo_burston

600 followers

Jo Burston made her name as the founder of Job Capital but her Instagram account focuses on Rare Birds, Burston’s initiative to encourage female entrepreneurs. Burston posts pictures of Sydney, her travels (including to New York) and inspiring quotes from people like Warren Buffett. “You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out,” Burston posts.

Have we missed anyone out or do you have an Instagram account we should know about? Leave a comment below.

Follow us on Instagram at @SmartCompanyau.