Richard Poulson threw caution to the wind in 2002 when he and his wife opened a small, high-end fashion store in Fremantle called Morrison. Ten years later, Morrison employs 80 staff and has retail stores across Australia, including in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Mr Poulson, who was named the WA fashion designer of the year in 2007 and the Ernst and Young entrepreneur of the year in 2008, credits his teenage involvement in the sport of rowing for teaching him how to work hard and strive for success. Morrison clothing is made and designed in Western Australia and has become known as one of Australia’s premier fashion brands. It recently secured an exclusive deal with Myer, under which the Morrison brand will be distributed nationally through Myer stores. Mr Poulson was also invited to join a group of key advisers and staff members on Myer’s newly established ‘innovation board’. Morrison has won a host of awards, including being named the BRW 13th fastest growing Australian start-up businesses in 2007 and Ragtrader women’s fashion retailer of the year in 2008.
