Michael Dawson – StartupSmart

Name: Michael Dawson

Business name: Foodcloud

Age: 20

State: South Australia

 

Michael Dawson is the co-founder of Foodcloud, a Facebook application designed to make meal planning a simple, social and stress-free experience.

 

Users plan ahead by “dragging” and “dropping” meals into a weekly calendar. They then build a shopping list, which orders the required ingredients based on which aisle they appear in.

 

Dawson, who graduated from high school in 2008, says his goal is to become a successful entrepreneur on the global stage, although he’s well aware of the challenges.

 

“I’ve been realising just how much I have to learn, and how much I need the help of others. Specifically, I’ve had to learn to push aside my pride and micro-managing tendencies,” he says.

 

“In the past, I was very quick to share my ambitions and visions of future success with everyone I met. I’ve certainly found that coming across as levelheaded is essential.”

 

In addition to holding the title of managing director at Foodcloud, Dawson is currently studying a degree in innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Adelaide.

 

He also works for the Australian Taxation Office in client account services.

 

Prior to that, he managed xCell English, an online business providing English proofing services to international businesses, primarily eBay sellers and manufacturers in China.

 

“I am perhaps most interested in the Future Makers list with respect to the opportunities it might give me to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs,” Dawson says.

 

“I certainly intend to become a future maker. If there’s a list for people like me, sign me up.”