Reading Mark Zuckerberg’s letter to investors in the Facebook prospectus, which was released this morning, you get the distinct impression that taking the business public is really the last thing he wants to do, given the choice.
Articles by James Thomson 
With $20b in the bank, Gina could become the world’s richest
Yesterday Gina Rinehart’s fortune doubled to $20 billion — and there appears to be plenty of room left to grow. Could she become the world’s richest person?
Pratts protect their fortune — but at an ugly cost
Money might not bring happiness, but it does allow you to make problems go away.
One profit upgrade does not a retail recovery make
Little wonder then that investors boosted Noni B’s share price by 35% yesterday in celebration.
The tale of Terry Peabody: when a founder strikes back
Transpacific have revealed that the founder and former executive chairman of the company, Canadian-born rich list member Terry Peabody, is suing the company for $4.6 million. It’s a classic case of a founder striking back.
Market to move sideways: property experts tip flat prices for 2012
Property prices may have finally received a little boost from the RBA’s cuts to official interest rates, but most property experts are tipping more of the same from the market in 2012.
Gina Rinehart still on top of end-of-year rich list
Falling iron ore prices have failed to prevent Gina Rinehart from retaining top spot on SmartCompany’s special end-of-year rich list.
The billion dollar blues: how the GFC hit our richest
The 2007 BRW Rich 200 list represented a high water mark for many of Australia’s best-known entrepreneurs. So how far have they fallen post-GFC?
John B Fairfax stops the bleeding
News that Fairfax family elder John B. Fairfax and his family interests have sold the vast majority of their stake in publishing giant Fairfax Media have been met with predictable headlines this morning.
Lloyd Williams, $840m on, still driven by the lure of the Cup
This is the week that Lloyd Williams waits for all year. While Williams’ $840 million fortune might be built on property development and a canny investment strategy, it is the challenge of winning a Melbourne Cup that drives Williams these days.
Gina Rinehart and daughter at war: the heiress’ contradiction
One thing is certain after yesterday’s revelation that Gina Rinehart’s daughter Hope Welker has launched a legal claim against her own mother — it is going be an awkward Christmas at the Rinehart household this year.
Bernie Brookes makes his stand
Myer boss Bernie Brookes says he is confronted with the challenge facing his business every night when he arrives home to find that his son has bought from an online store, “something which he should have bought from Myer”.
PC report: no help coming for retailers
On the surface, the draft report from the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the structure of the retail sector appears to have some good news. Except for one thing — there is little chance any of these changes will happen quickly.
Under pressure: leaning on lobby groups over the carbon tax
Brad Kitschke, head of the Australian Sporting Goods Association and leader of the Fair Imports Alliance, has claimed that Tony Abbott’s office effectively told him that the opposition would support his group on the GST issue if it came out against the carbon tax.
Wood, entrepreneur and activist, won’t die wandering in forest
Rich list members Jan Cameron and Graeme Wood find themselves in the middle of the biggest story in Tasmania after the pair yesterday announced they had paid $10 million to buy the Triabunna native forest woodchip mill. Wood won’t die wondering.
Hong Kong the hot spot for Clive Palmer
The Hong Kong float of Clive Palmer’s Resourcehouse is now officially under way, with Palmer launching the $3 billion share offer.
The patchwork Rich List: Gina’s on top, but non-miners a drag
On the surface, the headline numbers from the BRW Rich 200 list look impressive. But the bulk of the $31 billion increase in total wealth was generated by a handful of people.
Australia’s $10.3b women: Gina Rinehart tops Rich List
Gina Rinehart has topped off a dramatic 12 months by sweeping to top place on the BRW Rich 200 list with a fortune of $10.3 billion.
Our filthy rich miners — and the new $10b Aussie
This year, the top of the rich list — like the rest of the Australian economy — will be transformed by the resources sector.
Thomson: tackling skills, but no real business breaks
The Treasurer has managed to throw a few small bones to SMEs and one very big one, in the form of a $3 billion workforce package.
Did MasterChef slip up on OH&S? Wet kitchen draws viewer fire
Occupational health and safety concerns are generating discussion in the vocal MasterChef community, with viewers questioning whether water visible on the floor of the show’s set represents a hazard for the contestants.
Fashionable and aggressive: why Zara will test local retailers
World-famous fast-fashion chain Zara has finally opened the doors on its first Australian store in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall. Its aggressive pricing and business model will test local retailers, says Smart Company’s James Thomson.
Private equity’s long hangover
The private equity players may be suffering from a horrible post-GFC hangover brought on by over-exuberance, a lack of foresight and an over-reliance on debt.
You’re responsible for dodgy social media feedback, ACCC rules
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Graeme Samuel says companies will be held responsible if they do not delete or respond to false, misleading and deceptive testimonials on Facebook or Twitter.
Gina Rinehart’s rise is just beginning
The crowning of Gina Rinehart as Australia’s richest person on Forbes magazine’s Australian rich list, with a fortune of $9 billion, is a historic moment for female entrepreneurship in this country.
