international business — ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEADERSHIP & LIGHTING INSIGHTS

THE B.U.I.L.D. FRAMEWORK: BUILDING BEYOND BORDERS

Five principles behind my B.U.I.L.D. Framework, shaped by the people, partnerships and practical lessons of building a business across borders.

George StroumboulisOctober 24, 2026B.U.I.L.D. Framework, Building Beyond Borders, global leadership, international business, business relationships, local expertise, resilient leadership, speaking-appearancesComment

YOUR GLOBAL LIGHTING PARTNER: LOCAL EXPERTISE, GLOBAL GROWTH

From our Athens operation to projects around the world, Ideoli connects local expertise, lighting design, procurement and logistics to support international growth.

George StroumboulisOctober 21, 2026ideoli, global lighting, international business, global expansion, lighting design, custom lighting, lighting procurement, athens, ideoli-journal

EXPANSION THROUGH TRUST: HOW EXECUTION GETS YOU INVITED BACK

How Ideoli’s work with American Girl grew from New York to the Middle East, and why trust and consistent execution create opportunities for global expansion.

George StroumboulisOctober 7, 2026george stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, ideoli group, american girl, client trust, business execution, global expansion, client relationships, retail lighting, custom lighting, international business, ideoli-journalComment

DAD TAUGHT ME CURIOSITY: HOW THE WORLD BECAME MY CLASSROOM

George Stroumboulis reflects on how his father's maps, questions, and curiosity in the family restaurant inspired a global mindset and a life of learning across borders.

George StroumboulisOctober 5, 2026george stroumboulis, international business, curiosity, global mindset, family business, greek canadian, lifelong learning, cross cultural understanding, entrepreneurship, evangelos stroumboulis, family-stories, global-experiencesComment

ACCELERATE GREECE 2026 FIRESIDE KEYNOTE IN TORONTO

At Accelerate Greece in Toronto, I shared practical lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience and international growth with Greek founders and mentors.

George StroumboulisSeptember 27, 2026georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, invigorate your business podcast, george stroumboulis podcast, ideoli lighting, ideoli group, george stroumboulis ideoli, lighting installations around the world, global business expansion, business travel entrepreneur, international operations, Greek family story, immigrant family sacrifices, growing up in restaurants, Greek immigrant experience, entrepreneurship and family, restaurant family life, family bonding, immigrant parents sacrifice, life lessons, family legacy, George Stroumboulis keynote, international keynote speaker, global business keynote, business leadership, leadership keynote, global leadership, international business, entrepreneurship, global expansion, business growth, leadership framework, curiosity in business, relationship building, trust in business, global growth, multinational business, CEO keynote, global business strategy, innovation, motivational keynote speaker, executive leadership, commercial lighting, international entrepreneurship, leadership development, keynote presentation, global networking, hospitality lighting, lighting distribution, international lighting company, Accelerate Greece, Accelerate Greece 2026, The Hellenic Initiative Canada, Hellenic Initiative Canada, Accelerate Greece Toronto, Greek startups, Greek entrepreneurship, Greece startup ecosystem, fireside keynote chat, keynote speaker Toronto, entrepreneurship keynote speaker, Peter Polydor, Irene Anagiro, Yonida Koukio, global entrepreneurship, building beyond borders, scaling a business internationally, global business growth, startup mentorship, Greek startup accelerator, startup accelerator Toronto, entrepreneurship in Greece, Greek innovation, North American expansion, international expansion, cross border business, business relationships, business resilience, founder leadership, global scaling, Toronto entrepreneurship, Greek Canadian business, Elevate Festival Toronto, greek culture, athens greece, greek heritage, greek family values, greek entrepreneurs, greek diaspora, speaking-appearances, global-experiencesComment

INSIDE THE NEWEL HOTEL ATHENS WITH GENERAL MANAGER SPIROS STAVROU

At The Newel in Athens, I talk with General Manager Spiros Stavrou about service, lighting and the teamwork behind a memorable boutique hotel experience.

George StroumboulisSeptember 26, 2026georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, invigorate your business podcast, george stroumboulis podcast, ideoli lighting, ideoli group, george stroumboulis ideoli, lighting installations around the world, global business expansion, business travel entrepreneur, international operations, Greek family story, immigrant family sacrifices, growing up in restaurants, Greek immigrant experience, entrepreneurship and family, restaurant family life, family bonding, immigrant parents sacrifice, life lessons, family legacy, George Stroumboulis keynote, international keynote speaker, global business keynote, business leadership, leadership keynote, global leadership, international business, entrepreneurship, global expansion, business growth, leadership framework, curiosity in business, relationship building, trust in business, global growth, multinational business, CEO keynote, global business strategy, innovation, motivational keynote speaker, executive leadership, commercial lighting, international entrepreneurship, leadership development, keynote presentation, global networking, hospitality lighting, lighting distribution, international lighting company, Spiros Stavrou, Kolonaki hotel, Athens boutique hotel, Athens hospitality, luxury hotels Athens, Athens lighting design, hotel guest experience, hospitality design Greece, hotel design Athens, Greek hospitality, hotels in Kolonaki, Athens hotel design, hospitality industry Greece, greek culture, athens greece, greek heritage, greek family values, building beyond borders, newel kolonaki hotel, custom lighting, lighting design, hospitality lighting projects, led lighting, commercial lighting projects, international lighting, lighting procurement services, lighting supply chain, lighting in greece, ideoli-journalComment

MEET THE MENTORS AND FOUNDERS OF ACCELERATE GREECE 2026

Greek entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and business leaders come together in Toronto to help the next generation of Greek companies build, scale, and compete globally.

George StroumboulisSeptember 25, 2026georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, invigorate your business podcast, george stroumboulis podcast, ideoli lighting, ideoli group, george stroumboulis ideoli, lighting installations around the world, global business expansion, business travel entrepreneur, international operations, Greek family story, immigrant family sacrifices, growing up in restaurants, Greek immigrant experience, entrepreneurship and family, restaurant family life, family bonding, immigrant parents sacrifice, life lessons, family legacy, George Stroumboulis keynote, international keynote speaker, global business keynote, business leadership, leadership keynote, global leadership, international business, entrepreneurship, global expansion, business growth, leadership framework, curiosity in business, relationship building, trust in business, global growth, multinational business, CEO keynote, global business strategy, innovation, motivational keynote speaker, executive leadership, commercial lighting, international entrepreneurship, leadership development, keynote presentation, global networking, hospitality lighting, lighting distribution, international lighting company, Accelerate Greece, Accelerate Greece 2026, The Hellenic Initiative Canada, Hellenic Initiative Canada, Accelerate Greece Toronto, Greek startups, Greek entrepreneurship, Greece startup ecosystem, fireside keynote chat, keynote speaker Toronto, entrepreneurship keynote speaker, Peter Polydor, Irene Anagiro, Yonida Koukio, global entrepreneurship, building beyond borders, scaling a business internationally, global business growth, startup mentorship, Greek startup accelerator, startup accelerator Toronto, entrepreneurship in Greece, Greek innovation, North American expansion, international expansion, cross border business, business relationships, business resilience, founder leadership, global scaling, Toronto entrepreneurship, Greek Canadian business, Elevate Festival Toronto, Accelerate Greece mentors, Accelerate Greece startups, Accelerate Greece founders, Carepoi, MammoCheck, Drops Smart Hubs, Greek technology companies, Toronto startup ecosystem, startup founders, business mentorship, venture capital, startup investors, scaling startups, greek culture, athens greece, greek heritage, greek family values, greek entrepreneurs, greek diasporaComment

INSIDE THE NEWEL BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN KOLONAKI, ATHENS: LIGHTING BY IDEOLI

George Stroumboulis visits The Newel in Kolonaki, where Ideoli helped bring the boutique hotel's vision to life through lighting design, specification, procurement, and distribution.

George StroumboulisSeptember 25, 2026georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, invigorate your business podcast, george stroumboulis podcast, ideoli lighting, ideoli group, george stroumboulis ideoli, lighting installations around the world, global business expansion, business travel entrepreneur, international operations, Greek family story, immigrant family sacrifices, growing up in restaurants, Greek immigrant experience, entrepreneurship and family, restaurant family life, family bonding, immigrant parents sacrifice, life lessons, family legacy, George Stroumboulis keynote, international keynote speaker, global business keynote, business leadership, leadership keynote, global leadership, international business, entrepreneurship, global expansion, business growth, leadership framework, curiosity in business, relationship building, trust in business, global growth, multinational business, CEO keynote, global business strategy, innovation, motivational keynote speaker, executive leadership, commercial lighting, international entrepreneurship, leadership development, keynote presentation, global networking, hospitality lighting, lighting distribution, international lighting company, greek culture, athens greece, greek heritage, greek family values, building beyond borders, newel kolonaki hotel, custom lighting, lighting design, hospitality lighting projects, led lighting, commercial lighting projects, international lighting, lighting procurement services, lighting supply chain, lighting in greece, ideoli-journalComment

IDENTITY FRAUD ALMOST DESTROYED MY STARTUP BEFORE IT HAD A CHANCE

When you're building a company, you expect business challenges. You don't expect to spend your first year fighting to prove your own identity.

George StroumboulisSeptember 8, 2026georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, invigorate your business podcast, george stroumboulis podcast, ideoli lighting, ideoli group, george stroumboulis ideoli, lighting installations around the world, global business expansion, business travel entrepreneur, international operations, Greek family story, immigrant family sacrifices, growing up in restaurants, Greek immigrant experience, entrepreneurship and family, restaurant family life, family bonding, immigrant parents sacrifice, life lessons, family legacy, George Stroumboulis keynote, international keynote speaker, global business keynote, business leadership, leadership keynote, global leadership, international business, entrepreneurship, global expansion, business growth, leadership framework, curiosity in business, relationship building, trust in business, global growth, multinational business, CEO keynote, global business strategy, innovation, motivational keynote speaker, executive leadership, commercial lighting, international entrepreneurship, leadership development, keynote presentation, global networking, greek culture, athens greece, greek heritage, greek family values, building beyond borders, identity theft, identity fraud, startup resilienceComment

THE GREATEST BUSINESS LESSON I EVER LEARNED CAME FROM MY MOTHER

Before I ever learned about sales, leadership, or entrepreneurship, I learned that people may forget what you said - but they'll never forget how you made them feel.

George StroumboulisSeptember 1, 2026georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, invigorate your business podcast, george stroumboulis podcast, ideoli lighting, ideoli group, george stroumboulis ideoli, lighting installations around the world, global business expansion, business travel entrepreneur, international operations, Greek family story, immigrant family sacrifices, growing up in restaurants, Greek immigrant experience, entrepreneurship and family, restaurant family life, family bonding, immigrant parents sacrifice, life lessons, family legacy, George Stroumboulis keynote, international keynote speaker, global business keynote, business leadership, leadership keynote, global leadership, international business, entrepreneurship, global expansion, business growth, leadership framework, curiosity in business, relationship building, trust in business, global growth, multinational business, CEO keynote, global business strategy, innovation, motivational keynote speaker, executive leadership, commercial lighting, international entrepreneurship, leadership development, keynote presentation, global networking, greek culture, athens greece, greek heritage, greek family values, building beyond borders, customer experience, lessons from mothers, family restaurant lessons, family-storiesComment

I NEVER PLANNED TO BUILD A CAREER IN LIGHTING

Sometimes the best careers aren't carefully planned - they're the result of curiosity, relationships, and saying yes to opportunities you never expected.

George StroumboulisAugust 17, 2026georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, invigorate your business podcast, george stroumboulis podcast, ideoli lighting, ideoli group, george stroumboulis ideoli, lighting installations around the world, global business expansion, business travel entrepreneur, international operations, Greek family story, immigrant family sacrifices, growing up in restaurants, Greek immigrant experience, entrepreneurship and family, restaurant family life, family bonding, immigrant parents sacrifice, life lessons, family legacy, George Stroumboulis keynote, international keynote speaker, global business keynote, business leadership, leadership keynote, global leadership, international business, entrepreneurship, global expansion, business growth, leadership framework, curiosity in business, relationship building, trust in business, global growth, multinational business, CEO keynote, global business strategy, innovation, motivational keynote speaker, executive leadership, commercial lighting, international entrepreneurship, leadership development, keynote presentation, global networking, greek culture, athens greece, greek heritage, greek family values, building beyond borders, lighting industry careers, entrepreneurial career growth, custom lighting, lighting design, hospitality lighting projects, led lighting, commercial lighting projects, international lighting, lighting procurement services, lighting supply chain, ideoli-journalComment

KEYNOTE AT THE GLOBAL BUSINESS AND TECH (GBATA) CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

George Stroumboulis, CEO and Co-Founder of Ideoli Group, delivered his Building Beyond Borders keynote at the GBATA 26th Annual International Conference, held at the Titania Hotel in Athens, Greece.

George StroumboulisJuly 21, 2026georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, invigorate your business podcast, george stroumboulis podcast, ideoli lighting, ideoli group, george stroumboulis ideoli, lighting installations around the world, global business expansion, business travel entrepreneur, international operations, Greek family story, immigrant family sacrifices, growing up in restaurants, Greek immigrant experience, entrepreneurship and family, restaurant family life, family bonding, immigrant parents sacrifice, life lessons, family legacy, George Stroumboulis keynote, international keynote speaker, global business keynote, business leadership, leadership keynote, global leadership, international business, entrepreneurship, global expansion, business growth, leadership framework, curiosity in business, relationship building, trust in business, global growth, multinational business, CEO keynote, global business strategy, innovation, motivational keynote speaker, executive leadership, commercial lighting, international entrepreneurship, leadership development, keynote presentation, global networking, greek culture, athens greece, greek heritage, greek family values, building beyond borders, gbata conference athens, build leadership framework, hellenic american university athens, speaking-appearances, global-experiencesComment

TAKING MY DAUGHTERS TO A WORLD CUP MATCH IN LOS ANGELES

I took my daughters, Demi and Viviana, to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to watch Canada take on South Africa in the FIFA Men's World Cup Round of 32.

George StroumboulisJuly 6, 2026georgios, george, stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, georgios stroumboulis, ideoli, ideoli group, blog, ceo, co-founder, entrepreneur, startup, business, global business, γιώργος στρουμπούλης, stroumboulis business, business influencer, invigorate your business podcast, george stroumboulis podcast, ideoli lighting, ideoli group, george stroumboulis ideoli, lighting installations around the world, global business expansion, business travel entrepreneur, international operations, Greek family story, immigrant family sacrifices, growing up in restaurants, Greek immigrant experience, entrepreneurship and family, restaurant family life, family bonding, immigrant parents sacrifice, life lessons, family legacy, George Stroumboulis keynote, international keynote speaker, global business keynote, business leadership, leadership keynote, global leadership, international business, entrepreneurship, global expansion, business growth, leadership framework, curiosity in business, relationship building, trust in business, global growth, multinational business, CEO keynote, global business strategy, innovation, motivational keynote speaker, executive leadership, commercial lighting, international entrepreneurship, leadership development, keynote presentation, global networking, FIFA World Cup, Canada vs South Africa, Team Canada, Canadian soccer, SoFi Stadium, World Cup experience, family traditions, father and son memories, father daughter memories, sports memories, soccer memories, football memories, creating family traditions, parenting, sports parenting, Canadian pride, FIFA tournament, soccer family, youth sports, unforgettable experiences, family travel, soccer fans, Canadian football, World Cup journey, memories that last a lifetime, legacy through sport, greek culture, athens greece, greek heritage, greek family values, building beyond borders, world cup, los angeles, demi stroumboulis, viviana stroumboulis, family-storiesComment

SPEAKING TO UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ATHENS

I was asked to speak to the Business School students at the Hellenic American University in Athens, Greece about my experience as the co-founder and CEO of Ideoli Group.

TALKING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & GLOBAL SUCCESS ON THE UNDERDOG'S EDGE PODCAST

I sat down with the host of the Underdog’s Edge to discuss international business, keys to building a successful business in multiple markets and what drives me to do what I do.

4-DAY TRIP TO CHINA TO OVERSEE 20+ PRODUCTION RUNS AT THE FACTORY

I fly to our production facilities in China, Vietnam, and Thailand monthly to oversee the incredible quality products we produce and ship internationally.

George StroumboulisAugust 16, 2019stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, global business, china manufacturing, international business, entrepreneur life, george stroumboulis podcast, georgios, george, ideoli, ideoli group, china, shanghaiComment

3 WAYS TO BECOME AN INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

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 around the world.

George StroumboulisJanuary 16, 2019stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, expansion, international business, international growth, global company, business startup, strategy, global entrepreneur, entrepreneur, georgios, george, ideoliComment

AT THE PORT OF ABU DHABI IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FOR MY CLIENTS

At Abu Dhabi’s port, I inspected a client shipment before delivery to Dubai, staying involved beyond manufacturing to support a restaurant expansion project.

George StroumboulisJune 30, 2017stroumboulis, george stroumboulis, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, ABU DHABI, middle east, port of dubai, port of abu dhabi, international business, invigorate your business, podcast, georgios, george, ideoli, dubai, uaeComment

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