Speaking to the Otago Daily Times from his home in Kaka Point, Mr Prassinos said in 2008 he and his wife Heather decided to "take a lateral move and pursue some interests and see where that might lead".
"We were, like so many others, suffering the effects of the financial crisis and at a loose end."
Mrs Prassinos began studying organics at Lincoln University, which is where the pair met Don Pearson, a tutor and solo organic farmer.
"He had a background in the area of microbial products in New Zealand, but had become disenchanted with his previous experience, hence his move to organic farming.
"We worked on his farm for a little over a season ... and came to the conclusion that microbial products were useful and not being properly offered [in New Zealand]."
Mr Prassinos and Mr Pearson subsequently launched the Biobrew company, providing cultured probiotic products for agriculture, with Mr Prassinos based in the Clutha District.
He has recently rented a property in Waikato, providing a North Island base.
In 2008, a war of words erupted between former Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Duncan Field and Mr Prassinos, when Mr Field issued a statement saying the council was tiring of complaints from Mr Prassinos.
Mr Prassinos' grievances about council and ratepayer activities included complaining about Cardrona resident John Lee's bra fence, which resulted in the council removing it.
A complaint in 2007 to the Auditor-general about the council's purchase of regulatory and planning agency CivicCorp was not upheld; and in 2008 there was a complaint (also rejected) to the Office of the Ombudsmen about the council's lack of enforcement action in a case involving the construction of a concrete pad.
Mr Field's statement went on to say the council had endured "a long series of attacks over its credibility" from Mr Prassinos, attacks which had "consistently proved ... to be without substance [and] an unnecessary expense to the ratepayer".
The matter was taken to the Privacy Commissioner, who found the council had breached principle 8 of the Privacy Act - accuracy - based on the use of the word "consistently".
While his focus is now on Biobrew, Mr Prassinos said he still keeps an eye on the QLDC.
"I'm more reserved in making my opinions known. I'm no longer personally involved; that which doesn't affect me I think ought to be able to [be worked] out without sticking my nose in.
"I have great confidence in the present administration. I think QLDC is being much better served by the present mayor and CEO than the previous," he said.
