Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Kariotis.
Hi Tony, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Greek American that decided to try and find a way to make a career out of traveling to his homeland Greece. With the explosion of social media, I decided to give it a shot but bringing Greece to the forefront through social media, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and a website.
Using my history in design, photography, videography, I felt this risk was one worth taking. I always loved storytelling, so I decided to tie all these together to create a digital hub for Greece and the culture. We offer ways to learn and discover Greece through digital means: A film series, a podcast, photography, and for those that love storytelling, I do a four months tour around Greece and I broadcast most of it through social media for my audience. Where am I island hopping today? What am I eating? What am I discovering?
The best thing is, these services I mentioned so far are all absolutely free.
Now step into the services that this hub offers:
– You can book a consultation with me to help you build the perfect trip to Greece. My followers trust me, as they have seen me firsthand island hop over 35 islands and all the mainland.
– You can search and book ferry tickets around Greece.
– You can book day tours in Greece, such as sailing experiences, sunset tours on a catamaran, wine tastings, horseback riding, cooking classes. Truly an amazing way to fill your days in Greece. You can search and book these on our website.
– Search our hotel collection of hotels we have vetted through our travels. Places that followers may have seen me promote in the past during my stays.
This hub I call Greece Media. (Known on Instagram as @greece)
My social media that I bring a 1st person perspective is @iamgreece.
On Instagram, I show the views through photos, videos and livestreams while touring.
On TikTok, I show Greek culture through comedy skits I make and travel videos.
On Twitter, I show a mix of photography and some random thoughts that I blurt out.
On Facebook is a simulcast of Instagram, as well as links to our services.
What led to me to decide to do all this?
Well, I’ve always been tied to the Greek community in America. Volunteering in my church community as a youth worked and youth basketball coach. This taught me how to build community. How to build a program. How to build trust. How to lead.
I’ve been involved in this since 2007.
I’m also a weekly voice on a Greek radio station in the US that is broadcasted worldwide.
In my foundation work, I’ve built the largest Greek-American basketball tournament in the country, what started off in 2009 as a 1st Annual memorial tournament for my father, has now turned into the premiere Greek-American basketball tournament. Hosting 30 teams for a 5 day basketball tournament. Proceeds go to the high school seniors that are heading off to college. Since 2009 we have handed out over 35 scholarships. It’s called the Teddy K Classic.
Being so involved in all things Greek in America is what gave me the confidence knowing that going all in on Greece Media is a risk worth taking. I knew I’d have the diasporas back if push came to shove.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, it has, but of course there are always some obstacles. For the most part, I’d say patience has helped me anytime I would be stuck.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I feel I said most of this in the earlier question so I will skip to the most proud of and what sets me apart from others.
Most proud:
The messages I get from strangers and how my work has either inspired them, moved them or the fans that message me saying they love following along my journey.
What sets me apart?
I pay a lot of attention to detail. Not one detail goes unnoticed. I remember reading the Steve Jobs book and how he rejected a glass panel order for their store on 5th Ave. The reason: the thickness was not to his liking, even though it was strong enough to support the store. He wanted it how he envisioned and sent the glass back. This inspired me.
That being said, I’m all details. I tell the story. I paint the picture. I’ve always been a community builder, even before this Greece Media dream. I feel I’ve built a community of people that love Greece.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe calculated risks are a must. I can sit here and say yes risks are worth taking, but in the moment, we all know they are something you can lose sleepover. I’d love to say I’ve taken all these risks, but for the most part, there are plenty I passed on, but a few that worked themselves out.
One risk I love to take is to announce a project and its arrival date prior to working on it. This puts me on the clock. As a self-employed entrepreneur, I don’t have a boss putting the clock on me. So I have to do it myself.
For instance, when I am thinking of starting post-production of a film I shot, I will make a pretty poster, give it its title, a release date and share it online. What’s its up, its up, I have to deliver.
I do this with a lot of things that I may delay otherwise, this works great with my podcast, the fun part of the podcast is the interview, the post-production… not so much!! So I put it out there, now I have to stay up late if I put it aside to make sure we meet the release date.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@greece-media.com
- Website: www.greece-media.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamgreece
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/iamgreece.tony
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/iamgreece
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/iamgreece
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@iamgreece_
