The Entrepreneurial Spirit: An Interview with Vasiliki Papadopoulos
Written by Valiski Bernard
In this blog post, we'll delve into Vasie Papadopoulos's remarkable journey, which offers inspiration and insights for anyone seeking to infuse their corporate career with creativity and passion. Vasie, the Vice President of Corporate Communications at Argyle, a global communications agency, boasts over two decades of experience in executive coaching, crisis and issues management, and stakeholder communications, with a client roster including the Government of Canada, Metrolinx, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, Philip Morris International, and others. She has been honored as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women's Executive Network.
What sets Vasie apart and makes her story so compelling is her diverse array of interests and talents. From designing shoes to hosting a podcast and capturing the world through her lens as a travel photographer, Vasie exemplifies the idea that entrepreneurship transcends conventional boundaries. It's not about fitting into a predetermined mold but rather about embracing your passions, leveraging your strengths, and staying true to yourself, regardless of your background or formal education.
Vasie's journey underscores the notion that success in entrepreneurship isn't confined to a specific set of credentials or a linear career trajectory. Instead, it's about resilience, adaptability, and the courage to pursue your dreams, even if they diverge from your current path. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding entrepreneur, Vasie's story serves as a powerful reminder that creativity knows no bounds and that the corporate world can be a platform for expressing your unique talents and passions.
We connected with Vasie to gain insights into her journey, challenges, and triumphs in the entrepreneurial world. From her visionary beginnings to her insights on balancing success, creativity, and personal fulfillment in the entrepreneurial landscape. Here are some highlights from our conversation.
The Journey to Entrepreneurship
Vasie's journey into entrepreneurship started in a rather unexpected way. With a background in politics and a passion for communications, she was drawn to the world of storytelling, problem-solving, and creativity. It was a strengths assessment that made her realize her innate entrepreneurial qualities – a revelation that led her to explore the world of business and innovation further.
"I started out studying and working in politics, and over time shifted to communications. I have always loved writing, storytelling, analyzing situations, and being able to solve them while communicating that well. Over time, I have worked in this space in various industries and sectors.”
“In terms of entrepreneurship, I never considered myself one until recently. I had an A-Ha moment when I completed a leadership strengths assessment, and of the five leadership strengths I possess, all were those of an entrepreneur – futurist, achiever, competitor, focus, and command. I have always been extremely creative, too – when it comes to creating things from scratch, solving complex problems, and having an eye for what is visual. So, over time, I feel like I combined these areas to really start developing my business ideas.”
Challenges and Rewards
Vasie's biggest challenge as an entrepreneur lies in translating her vision into reality. Unlike corporate jobs, entrepreneurship demands a personal belief in one's ideas and a relentless pursuit of turning them into tangible outcomes. While the journey is fraught with challenges, the ability to create something from scratch and see it thrive is immensely gratifying.
"Entrepreneurship is really about your vision and how you can create something, articulate that, and feel you are successful doing that. It is also about identifying areas where you feel you can bring a new perspective or solution or create something entirely different. It also comes with a lot of self-personal belief and a determination to make things a reality. While working corporately comes with many great experiences and challenges, the ability to truly create and make your vision a reality is different and very satisfying as an entrepreneur."
The pandemic reinforced Vasie's work ethic and determination. It served as a reminder of life's fragility and the importance of pursuing one's ideas and supporting others in the process.
"The pandemic further entrenched my work ethic and the notion of pursuing your ideas. The pandemic highlighted how fragile life is, so the resolve to keep going, work hard, and support those around you made that more evident."
Staying Inspired
Amidst the chaos of entrepreneurship, Vasie finds solace in creativity. She keeps her creative juices flowing, whether jotting down ideas on a whiteboard or maintaining her collection of 'creative chicken scratch' notebooks. This approach helps her stay inspired and provides a much-needed outlet for her ideas.
“I love to whiteboard and jot down ideas on a regular basis, so when I may be feeling overwhelmed, I do this as it is a great way to channel my creativity and keep me going. I have a lot of fun notebooks full of what I call 'creative chicken scratch.”
Balancing Act
Balancing a successful business with personal life and other responsibilities is challenging. Vasie relies on two key strategies – meticulous weekly planning and time blocking. These methods help her stay organized and focused, effectively managing the various facets of her life.
"For me, time management can be challenging (and I think for many of us). However, there are two things I work hard to do. One is at the start of every week, I put together a list of everything I need to focus on that keeps me organized between my creative pursuits and my family life. Secondly, I use a technique called time blocking. When I break down my calendar according to hours of time of what I need to focus on to manage all of the moving areas of my life. Am I always successful? Absolutely not, but these are two ways that organize and ground me consistently."
Diversity and Inclusion
Vasie believes diversity and inclusivity are crucial for fostering innovation and success. Embracing diverse perspectives and opinions leads to richer collaboration and more impactful outcomes, making it essential in any entrepreneurial ecosystem.
"I think there is always a lot of debate in the business world about the value of initiatives around diversity and inclusion and its effectiveness. I believe there is tremendous value in creating teams and spaces so there is a diverse mix of people, thoughts, and opinions. The best types of innovation and success come from working with others who don't think like you, act like you, and have a completely different perspective."
Words of Wisdom
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Vasie's advice is simple – just do it. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, taking the leap into entrepreneurship is a rewarding journey that shouldn't be feared but embraced.
"It may sound cliché, but just do it. There are a lot of reasons not to start anything or to be afraid to venture into new territory, but I always remind myself if you aren't pursuing your business idea, someone else is."
Measuring Success
Success, for Vasiliki, is deeply personal. It's not just about achieving goals but also about the impact created, the excellence delivered, and the transformative nature of the work undertaken.
"Success for me ultimately is if I reach personal fulfillment in what I am working on. That could be around what was the impact – individually and collectively; how others were made to feel; was the work delivered with a high level of excellence; was it transformative."
Memorable Moments
One of the most memorable moments in Vasiliki's career was being named to Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women's list in 2020. This recognition was a testament to her leadership and impact, especially during challenging times.
"In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I was named to Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women's list through the Women's Executive Network. It was quite the honour and a huge source of inspiration to be included on a list with such spectacular women who are leading in so many impactful ways."
Staying Stylish
Despite her busy schedule, Vasiliki manages to stay updated on fashion trends while maintaining her unique style. Her approach is a blend of following trends and expressing her artistic flair through her personal style.
"With regards to trends, I obsessively follow trends and what is up and coming, but in terms of my personal style, it is a form of my artistic expression, so I go based on what I like and what works for me."
Upcoming Projects
Vasiliki is excited about the upcoming launch of her capsule line collection, The KΛΕΟ PROJECT, as part of her work with a shoe design accelerator program. This new venture promises to be a testament to her creative prowess and entrepreneurial spirit.
"I work with a shoe design accelerator program, and I recently finished designing a capsule line collection entitled the KLEO project, which I am proud to get fully launched in 2024."
A Glimpse into Vasiliki's World
Beyond entrepreneurship, Vasiliki is passionate about travel. Her solo trips are not just about exploring new places but also about understanding people's stories and backgrounds, a passion that often finds expression in her photography.
"One of my biggest loves is travel, and I love to spend time on my trips solo, walking around cities and communities and speaking to anyone and everyone who is willing to speak to me. People fascinate me, and I love to understand their life stories and backgrounds – and, if possible, take a photographic portrait of them."
One of Vasie's defining traits is her belief in the power of empowerment. She understands that true success lies not only in achieving one's goals but also in lifting others along the way. Throughout her journey, she has been a mentor and role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, sharing her knowledge and experiences to guide them on their paths to success.
Now, as you reflect on Vasie's story, ask yourself: What's holding you back from taking the next step in your own journey? Perhaps it's fear of the unknown, concerns about stepping outside your comfort zone, or the perceived risk of pursuing your passions alongside your corporate career. Whatever it may be, remember that Vasie's journey is a testament to the rewards of embracing your creativity and pursuing your interests wholeheartedly. Take a moment to consider what ignites your passion and how you can integrate it into your professional life. Whether it's starting a side project, exploring a new hobby, or reimagining your current role, the possibilities are endless when you dare to follow your heart.