Karina, STARTAB

When Karina moved back to Greece to start her own business, the STARTAB entrepreneurship programme helped her navigate the unfamiliar business landscape, setting her up for success.

Karina is an award-winning entrepreneur. Her new business, CharismaWorks, has reached over 1,000 people in Europe and the USA in its first year alone, with workshops and seminars that help participants to overcome their fear of public speaking.

But in order to steer her business to success, Karina, 29, needed to overcome some fears of her own. Returning to Greece to start her own business after years of successful work and study abroad, Karina was already an accomplished leader, but was new to entrepreneurship.

The STARTAB entrepreneurship programme provided crucial guidance to support her business and financial planning, along with expert advice on issues from tax to copyright. And ever since CharismaWorks launched in 2023, Karina’s business mentors have been on hand to help her plan and troubleshoot.

‘Prior to the programme I was uncertain and worried about the outcome of starting a business in today’s Greek economy,’ Karina explains, ‘Now I feel stronger than ever.’

Creating jobs in a challenging context

Greece has faced significant challenges with youth unemployment in recent years, and many young people have migrated abroad in search of better opportunities. With a quarter of young people unemployed, job creation is essential – and young entrepreneurs like Karina have a vital role to play.

STARTAB, delivered by our partner Corallia, provides aspiring entrepreneurs with a four-day introductory entrepreneurship course and business development support. It also offers ongoing mentoring from business experts as young people develop, design, test, and grow their business ideas.

Taking the plunge

Karina’s career had previously seen her win several scholarships and awards in Greece and the US, recognising both her leadership abilities and her charity work. Drawing on her experience teaching public speaking and training customer service teams, Karina felt ready to start her own company – but was nervous about navigating the challenging business landscape alone.

‘I realized that I wanted to come back to Greece and start from scratch,’ she recalls. ‘With no network but with lots of energy to invest in myself and in my dream, I founded CharismaWorks… I have received great input from two incredible mentors who are helping me whenever I feel stuck.’

As well as valuing her mentors’ support, Karina also credits STARTAB’s introductory entrepreneurship course with equipping her with the knowhow she needed to monetize her skills. ‘I learned a lot… I learned how to create a financial plan and a business plan, how to say no to opportunities that are not benefitting me and how to “sell” my services effectively, earning what I deserve. I am now finally asking for the money that I deserve.’

Set for success

Karina says that launching CharismaWorks was the best decision she ever made. She is proud to be working for herself in a business focused on empowering others to succeed, and hopes to build her team as she grows her business. She won the STARTAB Youth Entrepreneurship Award for 2023/24.

‘I’m proud that I’ve returned to Greece and am trying to succeed as a new business owner,’ Karina explains. ‘I am navigating all challenges with a cool head, and with many questions directed at the right people.’