Trinity Anglican School 2015 alumni Kelric Mullen has recently captured national attention with his appearance on Shark Tank Australia.

Kelric’s startup, Flashback, which he co-founded with best friend Mackenzie Salisbury, combines modern technology with nostalgic charm to bring users a unique digital camera experience. Their pitch was a resounding success, securing a $500,000 investment from multi-millionaire Maxine Horne, the largest offer of the season!

Kelric credits his time at TAS, and particularly his high school business class, for sparking his entrepreneurial drive. He recalls how his former teacher, Mrs Jessie-Lee Croghan, introduced him to Shark Tank, inspiring him to pursue his dreams.

We had the chance to catch up with Kelric to learn more about his journey, his reflections on Shark Tank, and his advice for future TAS entrepreneurs.

Congratulations, Kelric! Can you share how it felt to step into the Shark Tank and pitch Flashback to such a high-profile panel? How did you prepare? “I walked in knowing we were ready. I believe that the land you have worked hard to sow doesn’t ask for permission to grow – it just does, and that’s how it felt pitching Flashback.”

How did it feel to secure the biggest offer of the season on Shark Tank? “Honestly, it didn’t feel that special knowing we had received the biggest offer so far. The exciting part was getting to go on the show and getting to be part of the experience. That was the fun part, and receiving a deal was just an added bonus.”

What inspired you to create the Flashback ONE35 Camera, and how did the journey start? “For me, the inspiration for the camera wasn’t that significant, because everyone, including myself, has so many big and wonderful business ideas. I believe what is most important is what inspired me to turn that idea into a reality and execute it. And simply I ran with it because I had someone to build Flashback with, Mack. I believed in him and I, and together we wanted to make some type of difference in this world. No one person can fix all the world’s problems, but each person can help us take a small step in the right direction.”

You’ve mentioned that your interest in entrepreneurship was sparked at TAS. Can you tell us more about how your time at Trinity Anglican School, and particularly your business classes, shaped your career ambitions? “My business teacher in particular, Mrs. Croghan, supported and believed in me. She pushed me to submit a business plan to the BLA competition, where I ended up winning and pitching to the Chamber of Commerce. That experience showed me a future I didn’t know was possible. Another huge influence was the Outdoor Ed program. It was instrumental in building my resilience, determination, and problem-solving skills, all traits that have been crucial to running Flashback. The advice I would give to TAS students who dare to dream is don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. Find the people who believe in you, take on the challenges, and prove the world wrong. And always remember: See a need, fill a need.”

Flashback has taken off in a big way since its launch. What have been some of the most exciting moments or milestones along the way? “Some of the highlights are taking and seeing the first-ever Flashback photo from our homemade prototype, our Kickstarter launch party, where everything felt like it might just work as we received our first camera pre-orders, getting our first office in West End, and pitching at UQ Ventures and placing second in front of a panel of billionaires and 500 people. But the moment that got me the most was when a random girl recognized me at a festival and said Flashback was her favorite thing, and that she carried her camera with her everywhere. That’s when it hit me—we’ve made something people love.”

What was the most challenging part of your journey with Flashback so far? How did you overcome it? “The challenge isn’t one moment—it’s about staying the course when the world’s telling you to quit. You just keep moving, no matter what, and eventually, the path clears.”

What was it like receiving an offer from Maxine Horne, and what do you hope to achieve with her guidance? “Maxine is a powerhouse, one of the richest and most successful in Australia. We’re fortunate to have her in our corner. Every conversation with her is a masterclass. We talk every day. She’s been where we want to go. Learning from her is the kind of opportunity you don’t pass up.”

What advice would you give to current TAS students who may be dreaming of starting their own business or appearing on Shark Tank one day? “People always say, ‘You can do anything,’ and they’re right. The hard part is drowning out the noise from those who say you can’t. They’ll try to map out your life, tell you what order things should happen in, and what is ‘possible’ to achieve. And that’s not fair. I believe if you want something enough, you can achieve it. I would tell TAS students that if you’re dreaming of starting your own business, stop dreaming and start building.”

What’s next for you and Flashback? Any exciting developments on the horizon? “Flashback’s just getting started. We’re releasing new products, building a team, and making this brand a household name. And more than anything, I want to see young people put down their phones, live a little more authentically, and stop missing out on real life because they’re too busy scrolling.”

We’re so proud to see Kelric thrive as an entrepreneur and can’t wait to watch what he accomplishes next.

To learn more, please visit https://joinflashback.co/ or follow the journey @joinflashback on Instagram and Facebook.

May Kelric’s story inspire the next generation of TAS innovators and entrepreneurs!