- LMCT 12064
Dimitri Fountas’ journey from Kandila, Greece, to Melbourne, Australia, is a story of opportunity, hard work, persistence and the Australian “fair go”. After meeting Greek-Australian businessman Dennis Makris in his village kafeneio in 2013, Dimitri made the life-changing decision to move to Australia and build a new future.
Today, as an Australian citizen and successful Melbourne businessman, Dimitri Fountas reflects on the man who encouraged him to take the opportunity and helped him realise his potential.
Dimitri’s story began in 2013, while he was holidaying in his grandfather’s village of Kandila, in Aetolia-Acarnania, Greece. His grandfather introduced him to Dennis Makris, a successful Greek-Australian businessman visiting the village from Melbourne.
Makris had built a successful life in Australia after arriving with very little. His story made a strong impression on Dimitri and, after meeting him, Makris encouraged the young Greek to consider moving to Australia and starting a new chapter in his life.
Dimitri decided to take the opportunity.
At the time, his business in Greece had been affected by the economic crisis. He made the difficult decision to close the business and move to Australia, arriving in Melbourne in January 2014.
Dennis Makris welcomed Dimitri when he arrived at Melbourne Airport and took him to his home in Kew.
The following morning, Dimitri began working at one of Makris’ factories.
He arrived in Australia without knowing English and had to quickly adapt to a completely new environment. Makris repeatedly encouraged him to save money and take advantage of opportunities when they appeared.
Those words stayed with Dimitri.
For the next two years, he worked in Makris’ businesses while also driving a taxi casually and studying. Eventually, he moved into taxi driving full-time, while continuing to develop his English and learn about Australian culture and business.
The journey was not easy.
After years of working extremely long hours, Dimitri experienced burnout. His wife encouraged him to take a holiday in Sydney, giving him his first real break in several years.
That trip unexpectedly became the starting point for a new business idea.
While visiting Sydney, Dimitri wanted to hire a motorcycle to explore the city. He quickly discovered that motorcycle rental demand was higher than the available supply.
Seeing an opportunity, Dimitri immediately tested the market.
He posted an online advertisement offering motorcycles for hire in Melbourne.
Within just one hour, he received his first deposit — despite not yet having an established motorcycle rental business.
The response was so strong that he eventually had to remove the advertisement because of the number of enquiries.
After returning to Melbourne, Dimitri acted quickly.
Although he could initially afford to purchase only two motorcycles, he launched the business and began offering them for hire.
The results came almost immediately.
The following day, both motorcycles were rented to customers for two-month periods.
What started with two motorcycles eventually developed into a successful motorcycle and scooter rental business in Australia.
According to Dimitri, the business grew to become one of the five largest scooter rental agencies in the country, with an estimated value of approximately $1.3 million.
The business journey also became an important part of Dimitri’s pathway to Australian citizenship.
For Dimitri, the story is about more than building a successful business.
It is also about the opportunities he found after arriving in Australia and the people who helped him along the way.
From learning English and adapting to Australian culture to working multiple jobs and eventually starting his own motorcycle rental business, Dimitri’s experience reflects the determination required to build a new life in Australia.
His journey from Greece to Melbourne demonstrates how an opportunity, combined with persistence and hard work, can change the direction of a person’s life.
Despite his success, Dimitri says he will never forget the person who encouraged him to take the first step.
Dennis Makris, whom Dimitri remembers affectionately as “μπάρμπα-Ντένη” in their village, died in 2015.
Dimitri continues to remember the advice Makris gave him when he first arrived in Australia — advice about saving money, recognising opportunities and having the courage to pursue them.
For Dimitri, honouring that advice also means recognising the contribution of the Greek community in Australia and the role that members of the community can play in helping new arrivals build a future.
His story is ultimately one of immigration, entrepreneurship, Greek heritage, opportunity and determination — from a small village in Greece to building a business in Melbourne, Australia.
Australian News Success Story link:
https://www.sbs.com.au/language/greek/en/podcast-episode/the-story-of-a-newly-arrived-greek-migrant-and-self-made-businessman/u9dr463ql
Dimitrios Fountas interview:
