3 WAYS TO BECOME AN INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
ARTICLE SUMMARY
I describe three parts of building an international company: the people working with us, the clients we serve and the places our products are installed. Using Ideoli’s experience, I explain why I look beyond borders for talent, relationships and opportunities rather than treating geography as a limit.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The post considers international growth through team, client and product-installation networks.
Personal visits and relationships are central to the approach I describe.
From an early age, I viewed the world as a small and accessible place. To be the best we can be for clients, I operate my business knowing we can, and should, be anywhere and everywhere we can find high-quality employees, partners and locations that inspire us around the world.
Specifically, three ways my company has become an instant international business include having:
1. EMPLOYEES IN 10+ COUNTRIES:
Ideoli operates as a lean startup, but that hasn’t stopped us from finding employees and associates around the world who add unique talents and perspectives to our team. We work with talent across the globe in countries as varied as Argentina, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, the US and Vietnam.
2. CLIENTS IN 15+ COUNTRIES:
We love when clients are as passionate as we are about invigorating their spaces, and that has quickly led us to work with clients in over ten countries. We experience the world's most populated cities, and even the most rural villages, while on the quest to build an incredible client base. In one year, the founders of Ideoli flew a combined 500,000 miles around the world, crisscrossing each-other several times.
3. PRODUCTS INSTALLED IN 30+ COUNTRIES:
Our best work happens when we are in front of our partners, in person, working together. That mindset has led us to install products in over 30 countries and seeing the world the way we have has positioned us to reach even higher.
My company has quickly gone global, and we’re excited to expand our footprint with more employees, suppliers, clients and other partners around the world.
George and Chris walking their factory in Shanghai, China.
Ideoli’s international footprint, illustrated on a world map.
RELATED READING
For speaking opportunities and event inquiries, connect with George Stroumboulis.
George Stroumboulis visits Conrad Athens The Ilisian to see Ideoli’s custom decorative lighting and reflect on the landmark hotel’s history and transformation.