Gold Coast e-tailer HiSmile unveils ambitious plan for new Burleigh Heads office on Gold Coast
A rock star e-tailer that catapulted its founders on to the rich list will move into new premises in Burleigh Heads in November with room for six-times more staff. SEE THE IMAGES HERE
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A rock star e-tailer that catapulted its founders on to the rich list will move into new premises in Burleigh Heads in November with room for six-times more staff.
HiSmile sells teeth whitening products to young women and has made its founders Nik Mirkovic and Alex Tomic rich men. In 2017, they debuted as the youngest entrants on the Australian Financial Review’s 2017 Young Rich List, with a combined net worth of $46 million.
Founded in 2014, HiSmile reached $10 million in online sales after 18 months and $50 million after three years.
Mr Tomic and Mr Mirkovic aim for HiSmile to become a global brand, which is why they have moved to SurfStitch’s old headquarters in Burleigh Heads.
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The two-level building — being fitted out for HiSmile’s 65 staff to move in by early November — has six times the company’s current office space in Mermaid Beach.
The new design for the building involves opening up the lower level to the top floor via a staircase situated next to bleachers where staff can meet informally to workshop ideas.
“The old SurfStitch office … was quite segmented but for us the biggest thing that has allowed us to get where we are is … to allow people to collaborate,” Mr Mirkovic said.
The office is a far cry from the “bursting at the seams” HiSmile premises in Mermaid Beach.
“We have the ability to grow to 400 people (at Burleigh Heads),” Mr Tomic said. “This is about a massive investment in the future.
“We want to become a global brand.”
Other features of the new HiSmile office will include an in-house innovation centre and science laboratory, new content studio 10 times its current size, gym, in-house cafe and onsite chef.
Mr Tomic said the entire space has been designed around fostering collaboration and product development. The company plans to release some new products early next year.
Mr Tomic said sales have been strong during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is obviously a very challenging time for everyone but what has gotten us through it is our team … predominantly built of locals. and our customers throughout the world.”
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