Creating Opportunity Through Crisis: SEGE Greek Association of Women…

The Chinese character for crisis is the same as the character for “chance” or “opportunity.”  In that case, the concept would not be lost in translation if we are talking about the issue of female entrepreneurship in Greece and beyond.  According to a recent EU report published by the European Commission on Female Entrepreneurship in 2014, before the onset of the Eurocrisis the ranking of businesses headed by women placed Greece in the lowest tier, perhaps 2^nd or 3^rd place from the bottom.  However, since the Eurocrisis, the percentage of businesses spearheaded by Greek females has spiked pushing the country to the top 5% in the EU ranking.  According to the latest statistical data, Greek women make up 24% of the entrepreneurs in the labor force, whereas men make up 37%, putting Greece at the top of the entrepreneurial ladder beating out the UK (9% women in business) and Germany (8%).  How have Greek women who were at the bottom of the totem pole managed to thrust themselves to the top in such a short time?  The answer has to do with the ying/yang duality inherent in every time of crisis.  The advancement of Greek women entrepreneurship is the mission behind a little known not-for-profit organization—SEGE or Greek Association of Women Entrepreneurs.

Figure 1 Percentage of entrepreneurs in total active labour force (entrepreneurship rate) by gender and country in Europe-37, 2012

Source: Panteia, based on Labour Force Survey (Eurostat, UNICE, ILOSTAT and national statistics)

Existing largely by a pool of professional volunteers, SEGE provided most of the offerings to be expected in developing budding businesswomen—training and coaching, mentoring and networking, start-up seminars.  Its members run the gamut of entrepreneurial spirit, representing a wide sector of industries in the Greek economy: travel and tourism, food, beauty, transportation, and manufacturing.  However, through the years since its inception in 1997, the organization has taken on the role as ambassador of all things involving women’s entrepreneurial leadership.  Last year, it hosted “Female Entrepreneurial Week” a weeklong conference attended by 380 participants from 36 countries.  It functions in conjunction with the Balkan Women Coalition (a consortium of women’s business organizations from eight countries in the Balkans) as well as the Mediterranean Women’s Coalition (a larger regional consortium that includes countries such as Turkey, Italy and Spain.)  Recently it has started to push its reach outside its immediate geographic scope by entering into partnerships with Scandanavian women’s organizations.

The President of SEGE, Despina Triakosani-Sultani, a business consultant in the food industry runs the organization along with Vice President Apostolina Tsaltampasi, who is recognized as the official EU Ambassador for Female Entrepreneurship from Greece.  The universal complaint of the reality of women’s access to capital was echoed by the founders.   Tsaltampasi lamented that the organization does not have the budget potential to reach more members and be present at more international conferences.  “We were invited as the Greek representative to the W20 Summit, the equivalent of the G20 for women’s issues, to Turkey this year, but we could not attend because the cost of just attending the preliminary conference is upwards of 2000 Euros per person, she says.  “Had we had funding our involvement would have multiplied exponentially.”  The organization receives little support by way of the Greek state via the Ministry of Equality.  It survives mostly by EU grants.  “We do not receive the proper state funding for the involvement in women’s economic conferencing in the international arena,” she explains. Still, given its limited funding, SEGE stays true to its members by capitalizing on each euro for their benefit.  Last year, it coordinated 45 on-going networking partnerships between more established women business owners and those coming into the field.  Its first Female Entrepreneurial Week was extremely successful, even while expenses and organization were borne entirely on its shoulders.

 According to a recent opinion poll, 82% of Greek women entrepreneurs are satisfied with their decision to start their own businesses, but 89% point out the lack of support policies for female entrepreneurship in Greece while 69%  are stating that the Greek society does not approve of them as much as it should.

(http://www.knowl.gr/pdf/Survey%20Woman%20Entrepreuneur%20in%20Greece_EN.pdf)

The Greek economic crisis has no doubt increased the number of Greek female startups, according to Triakosani-Sultani. In general, the crisis has motivated women to develop themselves through “fair and dignified means.”  But she cautions women about establishing businesses for the right reasons and not as “desperate measures.”

“There is a difference between entrepreneurship through opportunity and entrepreneurship through need,” Triakosani-Sultani explains. “When I consult with aspiring businesswomen during my training sessions, I differentiate between those who used the crisis as the opportunity to establish their business and those that established their business because there is a crisis. Those businesses started out of desperation tend to be problematic.”

She also does not mince the realities of what it means to be a female entrepreneur.  “That might mean bringing a 15 day newborn to the office in a basket,” she says. “It means withstanding two years minimum to turn a profit.”  Given the realities, those without true entrepreneurial mettle become disillusioned and drop out, she explains.

Tsaltampasi also is keen to bring up the taboos that still pervade the cultural landscape.  “There are few women in consultant positions,” she states. “Less than 5% can actually make a career out of it. Men don’t accept business advice from women easily.  Women still have to work twice as hard to stay in the running.”

“There is still a suspicious air when dealing with women in business in Greece,” the VP concedes, “but things have improved from the previous generation.”

Sometimes however it is not the external landscape that needs to change but the internal.

“We find that it tends to be the women who are afraid to approach men in the business arena. We have to change the way women think and feel about themselves, and not how men treat women.”

Is there a difference between male and female entrepreneurs?  As with everything that involves the sexes, Tsaltampasi agrees there is.

“The way the two sexes approach business is different. Women have a broader, more holistic perspective, resulting in their being more flexible.  Men tend to be more goal-oriented and focused on a specific target, therefore, when they don’t meet it, they tend to give up.”

“As a society, we should do for women’s entrepreneurship what Martha Stewart has done for home economics,” Tsaltampasi states.

How can women in the Greek Diaspora help budding entrepreneurs in the home country?  SEGE invites collaboration and networking with established women in business from both sides of the Atlantic.  It welcomes professional women to run seminars, workshops and training sessions for their constituents.

The crisis evident throughout the world stage is the perfect opportunity to unite women of the Hellenic Diaspora to share knowledge, build networks, and spearhead new ventures.  More information can be found at their website, www.sege.gr  

Niki Leondakis: A Lion of Hospitality and a true…

Have you ever wanted to be like somebody when you grow up? Someone who was beautiful, successful, genuinely good and make knock out koulourakia to boot?  Well, girls, now we do–Her name is Niki Leondakis.  She typifies what a real Greek woman is–stylish, beautiful, intelligent, a business maven, committed to excellence, devoted to family, proud of her heritage and a humanitarian who actively contributes to worthy causes.    As a follower of greekamericangirl.com, Niki has been honest and gracious enough to share how how “Greeki-ness” has shaped her success and her life.  If you have not heard of her yet, here is the only site where you can get an intimate glimpse into the workings of a true Greek American girl.

Is it by coincidence that Niki has been working in the hospitality industry for the majority of her life?  She grew up in a warm Greek American home in West Springfield, Massachusettes.  Her Greek culture’s emphasis on “philoxenia” and the values of treating strangers as if they were gods probably had some bearing on her career choice.  As she stated in her interview,  “Growing up both Greek and American has taught me to respect and appreciate diversity of thought that comes from unique backgrounds, life experiences, and cultural upbringing.” She wound up graduating with a degree  in hotel, restaurant management and travel administration from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

She began her hospitality career as a manager for Marriott Hotels in 1982 in Nashville, Tenn. She then got a position as a food and beverage director for the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company in Marina Del Rey, Calif., Atlanta and San Francisco, from 1985 to 1993.

Her big break came when she was hired by the Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, a chain of 40 boutique hotels and chef-driven, destination restaurants throughout the US and Canada.  Her meteroric climb in the Kimpton chain took her ten years: from director of restaurant operations in 1993 to VP of restaurant operations, then senior VP, to executive VP, and finally to CEO in 2003.

After spending 20 years at Kimpton, she is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Commune Hotels and Resorts, which has 46 properties in its portfolio and over $450 million in revenue in 2012.  They are hoping with Niki on board to reach the goal of $1 billion in revenue and expand the Commune Hotel empire into Hawaii, London, New York, Chicago, Miami, Seattle, Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and Palo Alto, California.

Leondakis has received several industry awards, including being named one of the “100 Most Influential Women” by the San Francisco Business Times from 2002 to 2006, being recognized as one of “30 Women Power Players” by Nation’s Restaurant News in 2002, and named one of the “Most Powerful Women in Travel” by Travel Agent Magazine that same year.

Besides being a respected businesswoman and CEO, Niki is a saught-after speaker and instructor.  She teaches courses in Hotel Management and Hospitality at Johnson and Wales, the premier hospitality college in Rhode Island.  In 2010, she presented a lecture about “Driving Innovation and Profitability through Sustainability” at the National Innovation Conference in Chicago organized by the Greek America Foundation.  She also ran the Athens marathon with her sister that year.

An avid contributor to the community, Leondakis has donated her time and expertise to boards of directors for several nonprofit organizations including Dress for Success, an international nonprofit organization that provides job interview suits and career development assistance to low-income women, the National Restaurant Association and the University of San Francisco Hospitality Program, for which she gives speeches to women around the country on career development and marketing.

Niki lives with her husband in Hillsborough, California.

For the readers of greekamericangirl.com, she has this advice:  “Stay true to who you are, choose a career in a field you’re passionate about and always tell the truth with compassion.”

We asked: ” What’s the best thing about being a Greek American woman?”

Her answer, “My appreciation of family and how that makes me a better leader at work.”

We asked: “What’s the worst thing about being a Greek American woman?”

Her answer,” My hair–it lets me know who’s boss.”

With Niki Leondakis, we are not suffering for lack of a dynamic female role model.  You go, girl!

 

Aravella Simotas: A True Greek American Girl from Astoria

Can you guess who?

She is as Greek American girl from Astoria.  She attended public schools in the 36^th Assembly District she now serves, including Public School 17, Junior High School 126 and William C. Bryant High School.

She is the first female Hellenic woman to be elected into New York State Assembly.

She is the Vice Chair of the Democratic Party in the Assembly, the highest political post to be held by a Greek American so far.

She gave up a lucrative career as a commercial litigator to enter public service.

She has lived through the pressures of getting married and having a child even while balancing a hectic career in law  just like other working mothers.

If you thought Aravella Simotas, you guessed right.  In an exclusive interview with www.greekamericangirl.com, she speaks about her earliest memories of meandering through Central Park to collect leaves for a school project, the pressures of motherhood and keeping up a “nikokirgio,” as well as how she has advocated for policy changes that are critical to women.  These include redefining conditions for rape to include forced oral and anal sex and allowing pregnancy as a qualifying event to be covered under Obama Care.  Through it all she underscores the commitment to “philotimo” and civic-mindedness that Greek Americans have always demonstrated.

Listen to the full interview here:

Read highlights from the interview here:

What is your earliest childhood memory as an Astoria native?

My parents emigrated to US when I was an infant. I was six months old.  My earliest memory being a child was growing up in Astoria, playing in Astoria Park, going to the public schools here.  I don’t remember living anywhere else. My earliest memory I remember growing up in an apartment on Astoria Blvd and having friends that I am still friends with today.

A really crystallized memory from childhood: Astoria Park.  I must have been very early in my childhood, I had to do a project on leaves and I I had to go to Astoria Park to pick up all kinds of leaves that I had to  collect, a project which I still have to this day. . . Actually that project and my love of nature and Astoria Park my daughter has inherited from me so I go to Astoria Park quite frequently with her. She likes trees, she loves leaves, she likes twigs.

How has your Hellenic heritage influenced your life?

It’s played a very big role in my life first and foremost  in my educational career.  My parents immigrated here in the late 1970’s They fled from where they were in order to make sure that their children had opportunities that they didn’t have growing up.  My mother was the enforcer in my household with respect to education. She wanted to make sure that both myself me and my brother got the best grades we could get, attended school every day. And my brother and I have the “Perfect Attendance” record pins each and every year to prove it.  She focused and stressed on education. I think that Hellenic Americans in general are very well-educated.  If you look at the  comparisons, we are the most educated demographic group in the United States because many Hellenic Americans whether first or second generation inherited that ideal and instilled it in their children.

Do you think there is a connection between being a Hellene and being involved in the political world? 

I hope so. The way I got my start in public life and in political life was really because of where I lived.  I grew up next door to my former predecessor and current Senator Michael Giannaris, and he actually put me on the pathway to get into politics. I was always very interested in public service in making sure I to worked for the community, but for politics you really have to have an “in.” So I was very fortunate that I grew up next to Mike and Mike put me on the pathway and showed me the way to get involved in a very effective way. and put me on the path . A mutual friend of ours Harry Giannoulis, also who grew up in Astoria whose mother still lives in Jackson Heights, who is always politically active,  is and was my political consultant. I think it is important that Greek Americans who are in currently involved in politics help and talk to others who are interested in entering this life.

Is there something in our ethos or the way we think to make it easier for us to be political animals?

I think Greek Americans are all civic minded. We have this word in Greek  of “philoxinos”, someone who helps other people.  I think that just something innate in all Greek Americans. As we get older as we go through in our educational and professional careers, we want to help people on a broader scale.  So many of us who have been educated and working in the private sector want to take the next step and are interested in helping others.  I remember when I ran for office in 2010 the opportunity was presented to me and I left a very lucrative career in the law so that I can continue to help people on a broader scale.  I was helping people on an individual scale when I was practicing only as an attorney but now I see I can have a greater effect by implementing policies and passing laws that effect broader change as an elected official.

How have you managed to survive the pressures put on Greek American woman who must be the mother, the center of the house, especially since you have a three-year-old, the nikokira, and still balance this important and time-consuming career?

 I am very fortunate. I have both of my parents who are alive and well and who help me.  Particularly my mother who really pushed me to do well in school, to get a higher education, was always very supportive of me helping and my husband and I are eternally grateful. Helping me to raise my daughter.   It is always a difficult balance for all women not just Greek American women because we have so many roles . . . Somehow even in professional life always more is expected of us than of our male colleagues because usually because  we tend to be more diligent and we get things doen because that’s just is in our nature as mothers and housewives.  We have a checklist things have to get done and if not, the buck stops with us.  What is important to understand For and foremost that it’s not just women in Greek American households that have to deal with these preassures it’s all women.  I think naturally women have a strength that the other gender does not and it’s not just the task of multitasking , most of us deal well with pressure, we are graceful we get things done, out of necessity.    For those of us who are fortunate to have family members to help us it makes things much more manageable.

How have you managed to balance the cultural baggage that comes from living in two different cultures?

I’ve never taken it personally. I was married in 2004, I didn’t have my daughter until 2012. That’s a long time for a young Greek American woman not to have any children. Always I was asked, “When are you going to have children?” And especially in public life it seemed that the spot light became even brighter. Then I had a child and then the next question was “When are you going to have another child one?” It is always hard but It comes from a good place; it comes from what people know.  I’ve never taken it personally or taken it as a slight.  When a yiayia at the ekklisia,

These pressures don’t just exist in our culture, they are general also in European and South American cultures. There are a lot of demands placed on women everywhere. For those who have decided to pursue professional degrees, it  can become like a double-edged sword. The way I’ve been able to manage it is not to take it personally.  People will make comments but it is important not to take things personally but instead  to take the best out of the comment.

What is the best thing about being a Greek American woman?  Knowing how to make glyka, good glyka.  I honestly believe that our culture is very philoxeno, we have many people in the community who want to help others.  I am so proud of Greek Americans and their  willingness and desire to help others.  This is part of the reason I entered this life . . .

What is the worst?

Sometimes Greek Americans like something called “koutsobolio.” Sometimes you should know that people make comments.  And that is just in our nature.  Especially in public life it is hard not to take things personally.  But at the same time it is important to remember that it is hurtful especially to the younger generation.

What are your three most important accomplishment in public life so far?

First and foremost, a bill that I passed in the legislature this year to make pregnancy a qualifying event so that women could enroll in insurance anytime during the year.  As you know when Obama Care was passed and implemented into law, the states had to fill in to make sure people were enrolled. There was a whole list of conditions that would allow you to enroll at any time: if you lost your job, if you got divorced, if you were released from prison, if you were giving birth.  But for some reason if you became  pregnant, that was not a qualifying event.  I couldn’t understandhow you could if you were giving birth you could get health care but not if you got pregnant, you couldn’t.   I worked very hard to get a law passed in both the assemblies, the House and the Senate.  It is before the governor right now.  Under immense pressure form the insurance companies who did not want to do this. New York is the first state in the nation to pass a bill like this, to add to Obama Care a qualifying event that was not included back in 2011.  It is awaiting signature and it is my hope that Governor Cuomo signs it into law. Tremendous accomplishment that I thank the March of Dimes for helping me spearhead this year.

Another bill that hasn’t gotten passed yet but I am hopeful it will soon  is a bill that redefines rape in New York to include things other than traditional rape, to include other types of heinous crimes such as forced anal and oral sex.  The idea came to me in 2012 after I read an article about a young woman who was violently raped and sodomized in Upper Manhattan.  She was a school teacher who was waiting to be picked up by her principal on the first day of school and she was picked up by an off-duty police took her by gunpoint took her to an alley and made her engage in all sorts of heinous acts.  This officer was convicted of forced sexual criminal ac, but not of rape.  It occureed to me that under a  New York law forced anal and forced oral sex is not considered rape but called sexual criminal act. How you  can classify those two types of crimes as sexual I don’t understand. I introduced a bill to change that in NY and a rape survivor in that case saught me out after she read an article about the bill and teamed up with me and we’ve been advocating since 2012 to get this law passed in the Senate.

The third thing I’ve always advocated for and am proud of is my work in clean energy.  As you know Astoria is sandwiched between power plants, between the airport, major bridges, has one of the highest asthma rates in NYC, and I chair something called SmartPower NY, that brings together different businesses, different elected officials, energy companies to make sure that New York State implements a responsible energy policy.  I was asked to be the chair in 2011.

Has your identity as a woman influenced your policy making? 

Absolutely. With respect to the environment, I am raising my own daughter here. With respect to crimes against women, I am very sensitive about those. Of course, I was pregnant in 2012 so I am sensitive in making sure that pregnant women get the resources they deserve.

What are the most pressing issues for our community right now? 

We always have to focus on education and make sure  that all of our schools are provided for. . .   Making sure that we are very diligent and vigilant about ensuring that our environment is cared for. That we have clean water, that we have clean air and that no economic project or decision will impede on the issue that our planet is habitable and that we have the natural resources we need.  Third, we are very fortunate that we have a very active senior population in Astoria. Both My parents are senior citizens. We have to make sure our senior citizens are provided with the opportunities to finish their lives with the same support services provided to the older generation when they were growing up. . .   We have to make sure not for profits such as HANAC are provided for and supported.

Where are we heading?

I think that New York as a whole is headed in the right direction.  Under Governor Cuomo who has done a remarkable job of making sure our fiscal house is in order. We are on a good track, but we can always do better.   We can always provide more resources to our schools, we can always clean up our environment, we can always make sure our streets are safe.

 Personally my focus is to continue in the Assembly. Last year I was actually raised to leadership, I became the Vice Chair of the Democratic Party under the new Speaker Carl Hasty.  It was a great honor.  It is the first time a Greek American has ever been held that type of leadership position.  Speaker Hasty is a wonderful public servant and a close personal friend both to myself and to Michael Giannaris. I look forward to his coming him to Astoria to see our expanding hospital,  Mt Sinai, to see HANAC so that  can determine what more we can do on the State level for these institutions.

What advice would you give to young Greek American girls in Astoria for life?

I’d give them three pieces of advice: first, do what you love to do. Do what makes you happy. If you do what makes you happy, and you are happy to go to work, every day, which by the way we spend 80% of our adult life at work, you will be fulfilled.  Second, treat people other people how you expect to be treated.  Treat others with respect because you want to be treated with respect. I remember my parents as small business owners and how they treated everyone with respect. And when it came time if they needed help for something they always had a helping hand.

Third thing, never forget where you came from. There have been many Greek Americans who have done very well financially   and gone off to greener pastures, but so many come back and give back. They are helping the new Greek American generation advance as well.

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Alexandra Kostoulas: Poet of Paradox

Alexandra Kostoulas is a poet, writer, and writing instructor centered out of San Francisco, California.  She runs the Jack Grapes Method Writing course, a method for searching within to bring writing without by her old mentor and writing teacher. (Grapes, a poet and playwright from LA, developed a system of teaching writing whose goal was to find the deepest part of the person and have him or her express this on paper.)   Since coming of age, she is a Muse of the poetic form, as her entire life is surrounded by the power of poetry and the written word to shape reality.  She is also a writer who fully feels her Greek- American identity in herself and her writing.

“I write from the perspective of a Greek-American woman because it is who I am,” she says.  “I like mythological themes and the language of lyric and Greek poets, modern and contemporary.  I import Greek words into my work when I feel it flavors the work.”

Born in Chicago, she moved to Los Angeles with her parents (her mother is a clinical psychologist.)  At 17, she became the youngest poet to be invited to join the Los Angeles Writers and Poets Collective.  Her early poetry which she characterized as “raw and aggressive” became tempered, “more eclectic and spiritual” as a result of attending a UCSB reading by Berry Spacks, a Jewish convert to Buddhism.  Her poetry grew up to include more nature-oriented themes.  In a seminal move to San Francisco, she switched to writing fiction as part of an MFA in Mills College.  She credits Charles Bukowski and lyrical poets such as Odysseas Elytis and Yannis Ritsos as co-inspirers of her oeuvre.

 

One of her novels-in-process is entitled Persephone Stolen.  It tells the story of a Greek-American girl whose yiayia gives her a priceless artifact which she at first thinks is junk, but turns out to be stolen.  She then goes on a quest to sell the artifact to save the family home in San Francisco.  As a performance poet that makes cross-country reading circuits, she reads from Love Poems to Strangers, Leaving Los Angeles, a collection she states is about “leaving yourself to find yourself.”

Indeed, much of her conversation about poetry and writing involved paradox and double speak.  Poetry is necessary yet unnecessary.  Poetry transcends boundaries, yet is fixed on the particulars of the individual identity.   A dedicated space as part of the WEWORK building in a highly tech oriented area of San Francisco has allowed her to spread the message of writing to a community of people who number from 5 to 100 at any given time.  They have become her parish in a way.  “The writing workshop is like a church service where people show up to show the Spirit and goodness,” she asserts. “While technology comes and goes and is constantly upgraded, poetry will always remain faithful to itself.”

She says this at the same time she admits that poets are marginalized figures. Even Plato placed poets outside the Republic believing they had to be marginalized and outsiders in order to be accurate observers of what was happening on the inside, she cautions.  Yet even with its marginalized status, “poetry is our strength. In the technocratic world, what drives the Internet is good content. Poetry is good content. Corporations would do well to hire poets to write their copy,” she believes.  “Good literature connects you against time and space and transcends the boundaries of race and gender.  It’s like the whispering to you from inside your heart.”

While it is universal, her voice is staunchly Greek.  “I can’t erase my Greekness even if I tried,” she confesses. “I can’t make my main characters anything but Greek.”  As a writer whose ethnic identity makes up so much of her work, she admits that she finds more affinity with the community of writers of color and other minorities than with Anglo-Saxon writers.  As a Diaspora writer, she points out that most of the great Greek writers of the 20^th century were Diaspora Greeks, Cavafy for instance.

“In order to survive,” she explains, “we have to establish a culture of Diaspora Hellenism.”  While we live in the tradition of the ancient Greeks, that is not who we are.  While there is an uninterrupted line of Greek poetry, a thread that goes through our creative root, we need to present the best that we are today.  In a way we have to surpass the tradition, to speak truth to our unique identity as Diaspora writers.”

This she finds is especially true for Greek women writers who are twice marginalized, first as ethnic minorities and then secondly as females.  “We come from a culture where in its entirety panders to the male” she points out.  “We have to set up the culture to support self-worth in women.”

You can read more about Alexandra Kostoulas by logging onto her website methodwritingsf.com.  She has recently founded a new institute for the teaching of writing in San Francisco called The San Francisco Writing Institute. 

Momzcuizine Had a Start with Baba’s Luncheonette

Greeks and food go together.  That’s why fellow blogger and long-time Greek cook has become the icon of Greek cooking on the web. Maggie Makris runs the site Momzcuisine and tries to make life more palatable by running a test kitchen for the updated, easy-to-make recipes of Greek staples with some twists and then blogging about it.  A native New Yorker with a degree in Criminal Law, Maggie has searched for her soul’s calling in many nooks and crannies, but has finally returned home to ancestral Corfu where she whets our appetites while we wet our bodies in our mind’s eye in the crystal blue waters of the island.   As the oldest of three kids, she started messing around in the kitchen at age 13.  But the recipe for success and how to get through life she received from her Baba, a Greek immigrant who like many other small business owners of his day, gravitated to opening a small diner, or luncheonette, in the Far Rockaways in the mid 1950s.

Here’s her story in her own words:

A & S 21- 15 Far Rockaway Mott Ave., is the last stop on the A train.   It is also a landmark of triumphs, success, failures, hard work, determination and a prerequisite for business and life. A & S was a business that was started by two Greek man my Uncle Angelo and my Dad Spyro, hence A&S. They were two men who had nothing more than the determination and will to make something of themselves. Yet it is here where I received a foundation for all future conductivity whether it be business or personal relations.

I was bestowed skills, experience and professionalism that would guide me through my entire life. My dad was my mentor, way before this word became trendy and before everyone became an expert in something. I was acquiring knowledge and experience that would not be found in any college or business seminar class. You see, my dad was a man who never stepped foot in a classroom or had ever attended any business seminars and yet he was successful and he made sure I learned early in life. He guided me through each step of the way and taught me the 3 pillars of a successful business and relations.

1) Building Relations – This was a number one factor for my dad, without this you weren’t going to be successful. If you lacked in relations might as well stay home, as he would say. What he would drill in my head on a daily basis. Real simple words, not gourmet phrases: “ You must be nice to your customers, they leave us money and if it weren’t for them we would be home.” That’s it, just be nice! In today’s world it’s called customer service, and we had modeled this and passed it on. His training has been embedded in my mind and I have never encountered a problem in building a relation at any level.

2) Customer Service (repeated customers, clients etc.) – Expanding on the word nice, once again simple stuff that later made huge sense. “Maggie”, he would say, (holding back my tears): our repeat customers come here because we offer service. If they want some extra orange juice, give it to them. They come here every day, so place extra napkins and always smile. Our customers don’t need to hear our problems, they tell us theirs. This is the simple stuff that grew his business and his family. He was not classroom educated but very well acquainted with the hardships of life that made him knowledgeable way beyond his years. No matter where I worked, I also kept this in mind and I always went the extra mile for a customer, a client, a shopper, etc.

3) Honesty and Quality – My dad was a firm believer of being honest and always providing the best quality. As cliché as it might sound it’s the truth! My dad always served fresh quality food. His motto was,”If my family goes somewhere to eat, I would want them to eat the best.” What attracted even more customers is when they saw his children eating the same food he was serving. I would hear many times, “I want what you just gave your kids.” That put a great smile on his face. He was very sensitive when it came to kids. There were times when he gave little freebies to kids, such as chocolate, gum, one free hot dog. Simple things that made his customers keep coming back for more.These are the things that we the younger generation use today, and we like to garnish them and call these little actions, promotions, marketing, incentives, bonuses etc.
With these three pillars my dad built his little empire and accomplished the American dream.
Before buying this luncheonette, he went through many obstacles and tried many jobs. I ensued a blogging journey just two months before my dad passed away from cancer. I believe it was a whisper to my heart that said, “Go on I gave you something now keep it going.” I would like to thank my dad for providing me with this important foundation and I know he is watching and protecting me from up above. As I interweave the three pillars into my blogging, I hope to encourage my readers and build long lasting relations with them. The recipes and stories that I write about have been tried and tested and I hope you benefit from them.

Blogging has been a creative  journey to keep my dad’s memory alive. Combining the  food and entrepreneurial skills I acquired from my dad, Momzcuisine was born.

My blog is located at: http://www.momzcuisine.blogspot.com

 

FaceWorks International Driven by a True Greek American Girl:…

How does a small town girl grow up to be the head of an award-winning image branding company that has pampered the looks of such celebrities as Paris and Nikki Hilton, Donald Trump, opera star Frangoulis, Greek actress Debbie Matenopolous and has exclusive vending access to the Yale Club in New York City and Mara Lago Club in Miami?  “You have to have drive,” Maria Miliotis says.  Maria is the President of Faceworks International, an award-winning company staffing artists for special events such as photo shoots and videos. She has been featured on the Lifetime Channel as a celebrity artist and is a leading expert in the beauty and branding industry. Her company is recognized as the top 5% in customer services with 5-Star ratings nationwide.

At www.greekamericangirl.com, we were able to experience her dynamite dazzle at work transforming clients from humdrum everyday types to personalities that exude with their own personal brand.  Beauty in the 21^st century is not so much skin, hair and nails, as much as it is about image and image branding.

GAG: How did you get into the beauty/branding business?

I started my career in the beauty industry in the early 90’s earning degrees in skincare, hair, nails and make-up. I later moved from Virginia to Miami and was listed as a make-up artist and stylist for agencies such as Ford and Elite. I also worked behind the scenes as a spokes model for national commercial promoting cosmetic products as well as a print model.  In 2000 I established my own company Faceworks which staffed other artists specializing in wedding party hair/make-up services. My company was recognized as the leading hair/make-up agency in South Florida and was even interviewed on Lifetime TV including shows such as “Get Married.”

In the year 2010 when the economy hit a nose dive and many people were out of work, I felt inspired to help . I gathered a team of photographers, stylists and directors and came up with a cost-effective idea to help everyone feel and look great while achieving their business goals. Years later my Image Branding Shoots developed a following nationwide that it brought me to NYC in 2014. We continue to have monthly photo shoots that include a detailed consultation with me personally, a game plan with backdrop, clothing choices, a complete make-over with direction during the shoot. We book a location and book 4 clients so that we keep the rates low but the quality of service high. There are different packages available from headshots for social media to website action shots to post. Since I have decades of experience behind the camera and in front, I’m able to offer a far more valuable service than just an average photo shoot.

GAG: How is image branding different from just doing hair and makeup and looking your best?

Having a service performed is simply bringing an image to an artist and having your hair/make-up styled into the desired look.  Image Branding is specifically a consistent image that one wants to portray to the public. The questions that I ask my clients are what is their logo? Color scheme ? Where do they work ? What do they do in their spare time ?  Image Branding for business is not just about looking fabulous but being real , professional and consistent with who you are and what your message is.

GAG: What tips/advice do you have to give Greek women in Greece and in the US with regards to beauty and/or branding?

In Greece, be authentic to the Greek in you and keep your style European . In Greece I’ve noticed many of the younger girls try to look American, but we are Mediterranean. I think it’s far more charming to have a European style/look so celebrate that!

For Greek American women , do not shorten your name. Honor your heritage by adding something in your logo or mentioning your contribution to the Greek community in your biography page.

As far as beauty treatments, we have some of the best solutions for dry skin and hair by using olive oil and yogurt. Not only do you look more youthful when ingesting these but slathering them on your skin and hair helps too.

GAG: Talk about your successes as a business woman.   Speak of one obstacle, either internal or external or both, and how you overcame it.

I was a high school dropout and from a small town in the south working in a local beauty salon. I did manage to get my degrees and starting working at 17 …but had no real opportunities of making it big.  What I did have was passion and drive. As a Southern girl who moved to the big city of Miami and later NYC on her own, I am  proud of having been brought up in humble beginnings and that my parents encouraged me to do things on my own. I have seen things and met people that at times seem surreal. My clients are an elite crowd and am proud how they appreciate my talents.  Money and education to get a head start in life is great, however the most valuable tool that you can have is drive. Drive will fuel passion and courage, important qualities in order to take risks to see how far you can fly.

GAG: What advice would you give Greek women with regards to image branding?

Be true to yourself!  Ellen Karis ‘the Greek Goddess of Comedy” was one of my Image Branding clients and we put her in a toga in the midst of a hustling city and it was very NY, funny and Greek, all things she is!

A few points to remember

1- Do not compare yourself to anyone be the best YOU

2- Your style consists of your clothes, hair and make-up and should reflect you ! Make sure you love how you feel/look and do not follow trends if it’s not flattering.

3- Be sure to look gorgeous and let everyone know you’re Greek so we represent well.

 

Greek American Girl: Who are some of your more illustrious clients?

Donald Trump – worked with him often and his club members at The Mara Lago in Palm Beach.

Paris and Nikki Hilton – regulars in South Beach and would make house calls as a make-up artist.

Josie Bisset- 90210 fame

Eva Larue – CSI Miami

Debbie Matenopolous – The View

and countless more…

GAG: What project/work are you most proud of till this time?

In the past my company was featured on Lifetime TV

Most recently it would be a magazine cover of The Mann Report where I did the styling for the most powerful men of NYC.

Published article in The Fashion Edition .

Preferred vendor for The Yale Club clients for private events and all my happy brides singing me praises

These were my accomplishments for my first year in New York.

 

Bravo FaceworksInternational and to its gorgeous and driven head, Maria Maliotis, a true representative of Greek American Girlhood.

Check out what she can do on Wedding Wire and YouTube:

You can contact Maria for your ImageBranding consultation at:

Greeks of a Different Color: Anneta Koromvli Mukuka

Greeks are travelers.  And sometimes when they travel to foreign exotic places they fall in love.  Then, they get married. And then, they have babies.  And then that baby grows up to be a half-Greek half-whatever hybrid mix.  In that case, issues of identity become a bit harder to explain.  Or does it?  We have covered the issue before in our “Demi-gods and Half-Bloods” article.  But what happens when you are Greek and African? Or Greek and Philipino? Or Greek Dominican?  When a Greek marries a person from the so-called “third world,” the added dimensions of race and economics come into play.  In the next series of articles, we will be profiling Hellenes of a radically different mix.   For this month’s Greek Girl profile we had the pleasure of interviewing Anneta  Koromvli Mukuka, an architecture student at the Parsons School of Design of mixed Greek and Zambian heritage. She tells us that being Greek is something that goes beyond skin deep.

Greek Am Girl: Tell me a bit about yourself and your family.

My mother is Greek and my father is Zambian. My mother is from Tsagarada and Sami, Kefalonia. She studied architecture at the Metsovio Polytexnio and then moved to the United States to do her Masters at Berkley. My father grew up in a true African village. He studied social work and political science at the University of Zambia and was the only one to receive a full scholarship to study at any American university for further studies. He first attended Columbia University and then transferred to Berkley where he met my mother. After many years they both went to Zambia and got married and had three children; my older brother, my sister and me.

I am 20 years old. I have spent my childhood living in Zambia and for holidays I would travel to Greece. I had a truly African childhood and I loved every second of it. I have always loved playing sports and have participated in almost every sport team. I enjoy being active and a member of my committee. I am studying architecture at Parsons in NY.

Greek Am Girl: How Greek do you feel? Explain why and how.

I feel a hundred percent Greek in every way. I grew up attending Greek school many times a week. I danced, and still do, Greek traditional dances since I was quite young. I love and cook Greek food. I have grown up hearing and speaking Greek because it is my language. I truly feel connected with Greek Orthodoxy. I am in love with my country and my home in Greece. Whenever I travel to Greece I feel so happy to be there at home. However, it is not simply all these things that make me feel Greek because being Greek is simply who I am. My mother has always made us feel a hundred percent Greek. Therefore, I have no other way than to feel completely Greek.

Greek Am Girl: What is it like to grow up as a Greek African? Which culture do you identify more with?

Growing up being both Greek and Zambian has been rewarding. It is great to know that you have two homes and cultures in this world. I couldn’t pick which culture I identify with the most because I feel that this doesn’t apply in my situation. I definitely had more of a Greek upbringing than a Zambian one; however, living in Zambia influenced me a lot. The mixture of speaking Greek not Bemba (my father’s language), going to Greek school, being Greek orthodox, Greek dancing and playing with malegens (Zambian tool that is made from wood and rope) and stones, climbing trees, being wild and barefoot everywhere, creating mud pies and pools has combined within me and makes me feel equally Greek and Zambian.

Greek Am Girl: What are some conflicts you experienced as a Hellene of mixed cultural descent?

The biggest conflict, and probably the only one, I experience when I am either amongst Greeks or Zambians relates to my skin color. Once the Greeks see me they assume that I am not Greek and there is some racism, however I must say that once they learn that I am Greek and that I indeed speak Greek everything changes for the better. When I am around Zambians they might call me a ‘musungu’ which basically means white person which is again racist. But of course every Zambian loves hearing that I am one of them and they are always intrigued to learn of my dual heritage. It is understandable for people to make immediate assumptions, however the racism present on both the Greek and Zambian sides is so terribly wrong. If the Greeks call me black then I have every right to be called white too, but who would ever call someone who is truly both Greek and Zambian and is brown skinned white? And who said white is better? Those who are racist and inhumane.

Greek Am Girl: How do you keep the Greekness in you alive?  Why is it important to hold on to your cultural roots?

I always feel close to my roots and culture. I love Greek dancing and I do it as often as I can with my sister. Yesterday we danced sirtaki, kalamatiano and pendozali at one in the morning in the basement of the university residence building just because we truly miss dancing and feel so happy and lighthearted when we do it. And of corse we feel truly Greek! I speak Greek constantly whether it is when I call home or to my sister. I even think in Greek sometimes. I always try to go to church and keep my religion alive. I have placed several icons in my dorm room because it is a part of who I am. The only cuisine I know who to cook very well is Greek and Greek food is almost the only food I eat.

It is important because my roots make up who I am. Therefore, if I lose sight of where I have come from on both sides then I am losing myself. My roots keep me humble, grateful, knowledgeable, friendly, understanding and help me appreciate other cultures and see the world from a better perspective.

Greek Am Girl: What is the best thing about being a Greek African? What is the worst?

The best thing about being both Greek and Zambian is that I have become an individual who deeply cares for how their roots have shaped who they are.

The worst thing is that so many people, especially in the US, do not want to believe and see that I am both my cultures and both colors. However, I never feel bad about being both Greek and Zambian. Even if someone degrades me racially I remember that this is how I am and this is how God created me. No one can change that and no one has the right to make me hate where I come from and what I look like.

Annetta’s talented older brother, Eleftherios, mixes Greek music with pop and Zambian folk strains

; quite a rising star gathering from the following. This video features scenes from the traditional Zambian countryside

Maria Kanellis: The Wrestling Star your Dad Never Told…

There’s something about Greeks and wrestling.  Never mind that wrestling was invented by the ancient Greeks and was a prized Olympic sport.  In America, in my house we grew up hugging the set when WWF broadcast the likes of Rowdy Rowdy Piper, Hulk Hogan, SuperFly Jimmy Snooka, George the Animal Steele, and the likely other celebrities that made wrestling a quarter-sport, 3/4 entertainment.  Now the 2nd generation of wrestling superstars include a diva: our own Greek American girl from Chicago, Maria Kanellis. Although hard to track her down, I am sure being Greek, being beautiful, and loving entertainment had something to do with her meteoric rise to fame.  Here’s the bio from her official fansite:

Maria Kanellis is the current First Lady of Ring of Honor, former WWE Diva, and former contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. She appeared on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” competing against fellow celebrities Sharon Osbourne, Cyndi Lauper and Bret Michaels, among others. She released her first music album, a 4 song EP “Seven Sins,” on April 13th, 2010. She is best known as a former professional wrestler and personality within World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). She was also a backstage correspondent for HDNet’s MMA series “King of the Cage” also from Mark Burnett Productions.

Maria Louise Kanellis was born on February 25, 1982 in Ottawa, Illinois, a small town outside Chicago. The oldest of three siblings in a Greek American family she grew up surrounded by cars and her free time was spent juggling sports, pageants and dancing. In 2004 Maria made her first of many television appearances when she was a contestant on the reality series Outback Jack. Soon after she tried out for the WWE Diva Search and placed fifth out of thousands of contestants. Although she was eliminated, Maria was later hired by WWE as a backstage interviewer on Monday Night Raw and began training for the next 3 years at the Ohio Valley Wrestling facility. She began competing in the ring as a wrestler in 2005. After her debut Maria worked alongside the company’s biggest superstars including John Cena, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Maria never shied away from angles or story lines and is most comfortable in the spotlight. She posed for the April 2008 cover and pictorial in Playboy magazine, which WWE incorporated into one of the year’s most popular story-lines on Monday Night Raw. For the Playboy shoot, Maria chose several elements, including lighting, wardrobe and style. She even designed and produced some of her own wardrobe for this “high-fashion” themed layout. She has also created outfits for her wrestling matches, television appearances, red carpet charity events and high profile WWE ceremonies.

Maria enjoyed some cross-over success while with the WWE, making several TV appearances. She has co-hosted G4 Network’s “Attack of the Show” and she lists “Deal or No Deal,” “Family Feud,” “Project Runway,” “VH1’s Top 20 Video Countdown,” “The Insider,” “Best Damn Sports Show,” “Red Eye,” and “The Today Show,” among several television appearances on her resume. In March 2010, she will appear as a cast member of NBC’s hit series “The Celebrity Apprentice” alongside fellow contestants Sharon Osbourne, Brett Michaels, and Cindy Lauper to name a few. Maria worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation as her charity of choice during filming. She is very active when it comes to other charitable organizations, such as Generation Rescue, Paws For Style, St. Jude’s Children Hospital and The Kentucky Humane Society to name a few. Philanthropy holds a special place with Maria as she continually donates her time and money towards newfound, worthy causes. She has traveled overseas with the WWE from 2005-2008 for it’s annual USO Tribute to the Troops Tour, donating her time and energy to entertain and spread goodwill to our servicemen and women stationed overseas.

Maria was recently named WWE’s Diva of the Year for 2009, a popular fan vote as decided by the WWE Universe. Shortly after she was released unexpectedly by the WWE, citing Maria’s deep desire to pursue outside interests, such as TV, movies, and writing and producing her own music. Maria describes her rock music as a combination of glamour, twisted lyrics and sex appeal. The first EP is titled “Sevin Sins.”

 with husband and wrestling persona, Mike Bennett  

Maria has only began her rise to stardom but already has millions of fans worldwide and an intense drive for success. Her creativity is evident in everything she does. Maria’s life mantra that inspires her is “Passion is my Motivation.”

For more pics and to keep tabs on her ever-dazzling celebrity status, visit her home page www.mariakanellis.com