Personal development gets you to the pro level. Spend time with seasoned entrepreneurs; focus on your personal goals and develop every skill required to live your most fulfilling life.
Passion breeds a deep will to work, to imagine new paths and to move forward with grace through challenges, says Elisabeth Maragoula, Founder & Director of Euronique+Communications & BPI Global Talk
What for you means to be a woman entrepreneur?
Being an entrepreneur means taking a unique path – whether for a woman or man. I was lucky enough to have mentors, all of whom were men. Being an entrepreneur is hard work every day. It requires self-reflection and a balanced attitude of being intrepid and open at the same time.
You grew up in California.In what way New York and then Europe were different?
During my time living in these places, I noticed a general difference in the professional attitudes: “You can do it (whatever that may be)” in Northern California; “You will make it to the top in your industry” in New York City; “You can have a bit of it all” in Europe.
Best piece of an advice for young female entrepreneurs?
Personal development gets you to the pro level. Spend time with seasoned entrepreneurs; focus on your personal goals and develop every skill required to live your most fulfilling life.
What would you do differently if you were just trying to start off your life and a career in NYC?
If I had to go back in time as a single female graduate starting off my career in NYC, I would spend significant time identifying which specific industry would allow me to reach my long-term goals and get to know personally the most influential people in that industry.
If you could pick up one city to live in where that would be?
This is an impossible question – split time between San Francisco and Athens.
What kind of man goes with a strong and independent woman. In any walk of life?
The type of man that complements a strong woman depends greatly on what the woman truly needs to be satisfied. I believe in a partnership with a man where both people encourage the development of each other’s best version.
What have you learned about life so far?
That I know very little, and that at the end of the day you bring with you the love you have created through human relationships and experiences.
If you were to pick up your group of young female protégées, on which criteria would you select them?
I choose protégées based on their passion and desire for what they will become. Passion breeds a deep will to work, to imagine new paths and to move forward with grace through challenges. Desire creates the roadmap to investing this passion.
What is your biggest fear about running your own company?
Running my own company is a balancing act – doing the best work for clients while creating completely fresh ideas to stay apart of the competition, and attracting the right new clients and partners. It is not so much a fear, but a constant concern about remaining in the sweet spot of holding it all together.
What do you know about men? I mean, so far?
They are wonderful creatures. They continually surprise me.
What is the biggest illusion of success?
Self-promotion instead of just doing the work and letting that speak for you.