Are you really following your heart? Let these 2 Greek family businesses show you the way!
This post takes 2 min to read and is written by Malin
How does it feel to work with what you love? This is the story of two Greek entrepreneurs and family businesses...
It's July 2018 and we barely have time to unload the last sponsor wagon at Heden after this year's Gothia Cup before the plane takes off from Landvetter in Gothenburg. The plane that will take us on a two-week holiday to the Greek island of Samos. But what we don't know is how deeply the island will touch the hearts of our contractors...
Sunrise on Samos
Do you feel that your career choices are guided more by what is expected of you than what your heart wants? Meet Manolis and George who run their family business in Samos and let their story inspire you to follow your heart too!
George Kontaxis
After fourteen years living in Ohio, USA and two years in Holland (where his wife Titia is from), the heart wanted to return home to Samos to take care of his family business. Today they run the water sports rental Wind & Watersports on Pythagorio Beach on the south coast of Samos.
He inherited the beach and nearby land from his grandfather, but entrepreneurship is in his grandmother's genes. She once planted 300 olive trees for the family in case they were in financial crisis. Thanks to these olive trees, George can now support himself and his family all year round.
Manolis
Manolis is the hotel owner who previously lived in Burundi, Africa where he ran various business ventures. But the day came when he would return home to Samos to build his hotel and family business from scratch. During the summers, his two sons and their families come from Athens to help out and the family love rubs off on you, the guest!
Manolis could just as easily be retired today, but after two weeks at the Apollon Resort we understand why he is not. He may be a tough businessman, but inside his chest is a heart of gold. He loves what he does and loves those he does it with - just like Peo 😉
So what can we learn from these two family businesses?
You, we, George and Manolis may come from different places, cultures and industries. But what unites us as entrepreneurs is our passion for people, personal service and above all; the dream of combining family and business. So remind yourself that as long as your working life is driven by heart and love, it can (if you want it to) last as long as your entire lifetime.
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