Success defined by respect, integrity

The power couple of doing well by doing good have a mission to change the world through profitable ventures.

The power couple of doing well by doing good, Berry Liberman and Danny Almagor, have a mission to change the world through profitable ventures.

The granddaughter of famed Melbourne billionaire Jack Liberman and her husband, who launched the Australian arm of Engineers Without Borders, are investing in an eclectic range of businesses through their firm Small Giants.

They’ve launched Alain De Botton’s School of Life in Melbourne and Sydney, run social-venture focused magazine Dumbo Feather, and backed a number of eco-friendly buildings and renewable energy projects.

Alan Kohler: Your grandfather, Jack, left a fantastic business legacy.

Berry Liberman: Being a refugee arriving in this amazing country he really valued the opportunities here. Family was of core importance to (him) and really honouring the hearth and home first and then the business comes from that place, so I think I learned that from him.

AK: The things that he went through in his life in the gulags, was that a part of the family story?

BL: What my grandfather brought from his experiences during the war and life pre-war was resilience and street smarts. I think integrity as well. My grandfather understood that a handshake meant everything.

AK: You’re like him in a way. In your business, how do you define success?

BL: What is success was important for us to define because success as it’s externally judged is status, bank account, you know, car you drive. Success to us (is being) personally nourished and contributing to the world in a meaningful way.

AK: Danny, you pointed out to me a Ray Anderson quote which is: “If you think companies exist for profit, think again”. Explain what that means to you.

Danny Almagor: Yeah. I think it just means that our drivers are different. It doesn’t mean that revenue and profit obviously isn’t important — it’s crucial — but at the core is this idea of shifting capital towards business reform. So we look for businesses that align with our value system that obviously make money. And I think the other side is it’s an expression of our best selves. I want to be that guy who people look at, shake their hand and like what Berry said about her grandfather, people trust and respect.

This is an edited transcript of a video interview. For more go to theaustralian.com.au/performance.