Born in 1971 in what was then Yugoslavia, Vinko Anthony grew up with a deep appreciation for resilience, beauty, and the power of human connection. Having lived in Australia since 1983, he brings a rare blend of European warmth and Australian openness to everything he does. Today, he is best known as the co-founder of Beau Brummell Introductions, an international matchmaking agency built on authenticity, empathy, and integrity—values that have guided his life and work for more than four decades.
From an early age, Vinko showed a strong entrepreneurial spirit and an insatiable curiosity about the world. From the age of thirteen, while still studying, he began creating small businesses that allowed him to explore life beyond convention. This adventurous mindset took him across continents—from running a restaurant in Greece to working in London’s West End, and later into the refined world of Giorgio Armani, where he spent many years honing his understanding of elegance, expression, and human connection. His journey has always been one of discovery, shaped by travel, creativity, and the courage to do things differently.
His path later led him to an executive role with Lucy Turnbull and former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, where he developed a deeper understanding of leadership, diplomacy, and purpose.
Alongside his professional life, Vinko has always been devoted to personal growth. He studied Chinese Medicine, seeing it not just as a discipline but as a journey of self-development and understanding. A long-time practitioner of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, he approaches life with balance and gratitude—a reflection of his belief that true success comes from alignment between heart, mind, and spirit.
In both his private life and his work, Vinko is deeply passionate about the art of listening—believing it to be the foundation of every meaningful relationship. For him, authentic listening begins with the breath; learning to pause, to centre, and to be present with ourselves before we can fully hear another. This philosophy shapes how he leads, teaches, and connects, serving as a guiding principle in all areas of his life.
Vinko has also lived openly and courageously with HIV, an experience he shares in his book “All IN, How to Make Love Stick” with profound honesty and vulnerability. Writing about it has been the most personal and revealing step of his life, but also one of deep purpose.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts with manifestations, mantras, and gratitude for being alive. Then it’s a walk, yoga, and often a dip in the ocean before heading into the office early to work with clients across different time zones. Running a global business keeps me busy, but I make time to learn something new each day, read at least 20 pages of a book, and find joy in the everyday.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life through manifestation, passion and action. I take time to visualise what I want to create, then share ideas with my team, exchange perspectives, and put them to the test. For me, manifestation means believing in the possibility and doing the work to make it happen.
What’s one trend that excites you?
A trend that excites me is the growing focus on looking after yourself—staying fit, feeling healthy, and having fun with fashion. I enjoy keeping my style current and taking care of my skin. At my age, a little maintenance goes a long way!
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Meditation is one habit that keeps me productive. It helps me clear my mind and stay focused. Alongside yoga, reading, and learning something new every day, it’s a part of my life I couldn’t do without.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Learn more languages, play a musical instrument, and never sell any of your real estate!
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe love deserves as much time and intention as building a career. People happily invest years in professional success, yet often expect the right relationship to happen by chance.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Meditate, do yoga, read, be kind, be kind, be kind
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Go for walks – remove myself from the situation, meditate, watch something funny, so I can have a good laugh. Stay silent; do not react.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building genuine relationships and staying personally involved has helped me grow my business. Listening closely to clients and using their feedback to improve our service builds trust and helps us understand what people need. In matchmaking, that personal care is everything, and word of mouth has been a powerful part of our growth. But generally in business, treat your staff as if they are gold, and if you are working for someone else, treat it as your own business.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I don’t look at anything as a failure; if you fail at something, which will always happen, these are your best lessons.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Have great listening skills; observe and listen to everyone’s opinion and input – stay silent until the end and then add your two words.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Hubspot – I use it every day, and it helps me stay on top of things and current in my business.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I gave EUR 100 to a homeless man during my recent travels and bought him lunch on the way back.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I love all the advice Arianna Huffington gives, through books or podcasts…
Favourite book: RING OF BRIGHT WATER, “GAVIN MAXWELL”
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Dynasty – my first ever series watched in the 80s, and it is just one of those memories that will stay with me forever.
Key learnings
- Love deserves the same intentionality as a career. Many people invest years in professional success yet leave relationships to chance. Treating the search for a partner with deliberate time and effort can lead to more lasting connection.
- Listening is the foundation of meaningful relationships and good business. Staying silent until the end and then adding only a few words builds trust. Listening closely to clients and acting on their feedback helps a business understand what people need, and personal involvement drives word-of-mouth growth.
- Daily habits of mind and body sustain productivity. Meditation, yoga, walks, reading, and learning something new each day help clear the mind and manage overwhelm. Treating staff as gold and running someone else’s business as if it were one’s own reinforces a culture of care.