THE APRON IN THE STANDS — A MEMORY I CARRY FOREVER

For me, it’s the image of my dad standing in the cold arena stands — brown jacket on, restaurant apron still tied around his waist — watching me skate onto the ice for another youth hockey game in Canada.

George StroumboulisDecember 1, 2025georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, canadian citizenship ceremony, children becoming canadian citizens, family canadian citizenship, canadian pride blog, dual citizenship family, canada immigration family stories, canadian heritage celebration, canadian identity for children, hosting a citizenship ceremony at the office, family citizenship milestone in canada, raising children with canadian identity, what it means to be canadian, proud canadian father, celebrating family heritage, meaningful family milestone, canadian citizenship toronto, dimitra stroumboulis, evangelia stroumboulis, viviana stroumboulis, Immigrant Mentality, Greek Immigrant, Hockey Life, Restaurant Family, Apron In The Stands, George Stroumboulis, Family Sacrifice, Gratitude, Canadian Greek, Evangelos Stroumboulis, Greek father, Greek parents, my big fat Greek parentsComment

CELEBRATING A PROUD MOMENT: MY DAUGHTERS BECOME CANADIAN CITIZENS

Today marks one of the most meaningful milestones in my life as a father — a moment that blends heritage, identity, and pride in a way I’ll remember forever. My three daughters officially became Canadian citizens, and to honor this special day, I hosted a private citizenship ceremony right inside our office.

George StroumboulisNovember 26, 2025georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, canadian citizenship ceremony, children becoming canadian citizens, family canadian citizenship, canadian pride blog, dual citizenship family, canada immigration family stories, canadian heritage celebration, canadian identity for children, hosting a citizenship ceremony at the office, family citizenship milestone in canada, raising children with canadian identity, what it means to be canadian, proud canadian father, celebrating family heritage, meaningful family milestone, canadian citizenship toronto, dimitra stroumboulis, evangelia stroumboulis, viviana stroumboulisComment

LEGENDARY DAY WITH ZAGORAKIS AND MY FAMILY AT HIS ACADEMY

Walking onto the pitch, seeing the academy fully lit by Ideoli’s state-of-the-art LED system, and watching my daughters meet a Greek legend they’ve heard stories about… it felt like things had come full circle.

CELEBRATING CULTURE THROUGH DANCE: FDF GREEK DANCE COMPETITION

A national celebration of Greek heritage, tradition, and community — and what it means to watch my daughters carry it forward.

10 DAYS, 8 CITIES, 5 STATES: VLOG OF NATIONAL TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS

Join their whirlwind journey across 8 cities and 5 states, overcoming travel delays, muddy racecourses, and unexpected surprises. Witness the ups and downs of competition while exploring breathtaking destinations like Miami, New York City, and Louisville.

NEW WAREHOUSE IN EUROPE TO SUPPORT GLOBAL CLIENTS

The Athens warehouse will stock a wide range of our high-quality LED lighting products, ensuring quicker delivery times across Southeast Europe and beyond.

SELLING THE FAMILY RESTAURANT: A LEGACY OF HARD WORK

POP MUSIC STAR 'EVANGELIA' INTERVIEWED BY MY DAUGHTERS

Family affair with Pop Music Star Evangelia as my daughters skipped school to help me interview her for a podcast at the Ideoli Group offices in Newport Beach, California.

TEACHING MY DAUGHTERS TO SPEAK GREEK AT HOME

Are your children learning Greek at home? Yes, I have 3 daughters. Eight, five and three years old. Even my Greek has become better from the moment I had kids.

COMMUNICATION LESSONS FROM MY IMMIGRANT MOTHER DIMITRA

My mom's ability to compartmentalize her feelings and focus on her responsibilities was a valuable skill. She demonstrated that you should do what needs to be done without broadcasting your emotions.

STARTUP TO THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE FOR OUR COMPANY

And Overnight, We were Part of a Big Multinational Public Company and that wasn't really our Style.

George StroumboulisSeptember 7, 2023georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, disruptor, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, podcast, invigorate your business, mom, mother, mother's day, dimitra stroumboulis, m&j's restaurant, family business, fort erie, canada, broasted chicken, communication skills, immigrant family, immigrant mother, greek canadian, greek immigrants, bessie protopapas, bessie stroumboulis, evangelos stroumboulis, wall street journal, wsj, cover page, wall street journal cover, george wall street hournal, gct, grand central, grand central terminal, hellenic home hunting, nyse, new york stock exchange, acquisition, startup sold, selling business, solais lighting, company acquisition, sell your company, buy your company, get listed, wall streetComment

UNSOLICITED MOTIVATION FROM MY DAUGHTERS AT THE OFFICE

When my 8 year old visits me at the office and on her own asks if she can write motivational messages for me on the wall, I can't help but feel proud.

MIRACLE FLAG FOOTBALL TOUCHDOWN BY MY 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER

I witnessed the most magical football play as a coach of my daughter's flag football team - quadruple spins to score in the last few seconds.

1ST TORONTO RAPTORS GAME FOR MY DAUGHTER LANDS HER ON THE JUMBOTRON

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Toronto Raptors! My daughter’s (Dimitra) and my father’s 1st official NBA Raptors game in Toronto was a blast.

COACHING MY DAUGHTER'S FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Experience of a lifetime getting to coach my daughter's flag football team this season, winning the Championship in the process.

3 LESSONS LEARNED FROM SURFING WITH MY DAUGHTER AT 40+ YEARS OLD

Learning to surf with my daughter reinforced some lessons I wanted to share. 1) BE A KID WITH YOUR KIDS. 2) TRY SOMETHING NEW - EVERYDAY. 3) IT’S OK TO BE VULNERABLE

48-HOUR TRIP TO ATHENS TO OPEN THE NEW EUROPEAN OFFICE

With a new lease in hand, I held 20+ interviews with potential candidates over a period of 12 hours in the new office (with very little furniture in place).

CULTURAL TRADITION VIA THE ACROPOLIS PILGRIMAGE FOR MY 3 DAUGHTERS

Three daughters later, I have made it a cultural point to take each one to the Acropolis when they were each the age of just 5 months old.

DESIGN AWARD FOR OUR WORK AT MATTEL'S AMERICAN GIRL STORE IN NEW YORK CITY

Congrats to my team for receiving a product design award for our work at Mattel’s American Girl Store in Rockefeller Center in New York City.

DIVING WITH GREAT WHITE SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Shark Diving was the ultimate thrill-seeking experience. On a trip with the boys to Cape Town, South Africa, I decided to visit the Shark Diving Capital of the world – Gansbaai, South Africa.

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