John Ilhan
A Crazy Life
John Ilhan: A Crazy Life tells the fascinating story of John
Ilhan -- a working-class immigrant who overcame incredible odds to
become one of the richest men in Australia. Founder of phenomenally
successful mobile telephone company Crazy John's, Ilhan tragically
passed away in 2007 at the age of forty-two.
As told through the eyes of his family, friends and colleagues,
this poignant biography reveals new insights into the man behind
Crazy John's, the wife and four children he left behind and his
David and Goliath battle with Telstra.
Ilhan's inspirational journey shows how self-belief, passion and
a never-say-die attitude can see you achieve your dreams.
"When you share your life with a true achiever it's hard to
fully comprehend the impact they can have on the broader community.
Unfortunately for my family, I learned about that impact the day
John passed away."
--Patricia Ilhan, co-founder, Ilhan Food Allergy
Foundation
"When John passed away we lost a truly wonderful person who was
a giant at everything he did and a truly free spirit. The amazing
thing was he'd only just started to make his mark on the wider
community."
--Brendan Fleiter, Chief Executive Officer, Crazy
John's
"...he was a migrant from Turkey who grew up in Broadmeadows and
rose to a very senior position in our community. To my mind John
lived until he was 100; he just did it in forty-two years."
--Eddie McGuire, President, Collingwood Football
Club
About the authors.
Acknowledgements.
Preface.
1 Man of the people (26 October 2007).
2 A better life (1939-1973).
3 Becoming a man (1974-1983).
4 Understanding business (1984-1990).
5 Going mobile (1991-1992).
6 Let's get crazy (1993-1996).
7 Growing pains and growing large (1996-1998).
8 John the brand (1999-2005).
9 Becoming free (2004-2007).
10 Food for thought (2005-2006).
11 Getting the balance right (2006-2007).
12 The hidden danger (2007).
13 The longest walk (2007).
14 Turning full circle (2007-2009).
Notes.
Index.
Age, having worked in the media for almost fifteen years for
various publications including The Sunday Age, the Herald
Sun and The Herald. Stephen is Chief Executive Officer
of the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation. He also works as a
communications consultant to various companies.
Annie Reid is a Melbourne-based writer. She has written
for The Australian, the Herald Sun, The Age,
Leader Community Newspapers and various property and lifestyle
magazines. Annie also works with a number of corporate clients and
non-government organisations.
