We ask our members share a few thoughts: to introduce themselves to fellow members, and those who are interested in our community.
In this instalment, we interview Vassia Sarantopoulou of The Anti-Loneliness Project.
Tell us about your business:
The Anti-loneliness Project is a concept. It is a cause that connects all the pieces of a complicated puzzle: Why do we feel so lonely? Why don’t we accept/appreciate/love ourselves enough? The Anti-Loneliness Project offers counseling services and workshops so that you can search further into your worries, your fears and your thoughts, and bring more balance into your personal life.
What 5 words would you choose to describe your business?
helpful / game-changing / zealous / inspiring / honest
What are your most popular products or services?
- Counseling for Personal Development
- Couples Counseling
- Stress Management
What do you like best about owning a business?
Being free and creative is the best part in owing a business. Every day you come up with new ideas and you have ample of space to express yourself as you like.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
Observing people is a part of my job. And nowadays I see that people have a big variety of opportunities to socialize and to interact with others, and the social media have helped a lot in that. However, at the end of the day, people still feel lonely and they express this complaint through words but also through a variety of symptoms. That was the reason that made me look closer into this lonely feeling and thus I decided to build a mission around it.
Who is your role model or mentor?
I have many mentors and role models. Each one of them played a significant role in my life and they served as a role model for a specific time, since they came together with a lesson for me in my life. I saved each one of them in my mind and in my heart and I try to keep their wise message alive in my everyday practice.
What motivates you on a daily basis?
My curiosity. I know that every day something new is going to be brought to me and every morning I wake up having my senses on alert to see/feel/hear what’s new for today.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
To learn how to overcome hard times in life without going through self-criticism. It took me some time to learn and practice on how not to judge myself or the others for the things that didn’t turn up as expected.
What tip would you give women who are starting a business?
- Keep your goal always in front of your eyes and believe in yourself.
- Do not listen to the Sirens that want to lure you onto some rocky coast and make you lose faith in your mission.
- Accept failing as part of the game, but not the end of it.
What are your top tips for networking?
Have open ears and eyes and never have a plan in your head. The people you meet can be your allies in the least expected way, and most of the times you find gems in the most “incompatible” business ideas.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
For me, working means to feel free and creative in any possible way that expresses you. Even if it sounds a little bit strange, sometimes I see my work as a hobby and thus it rarely tires me. Being in contact with nature (biking through the woods, strolling at the beach), joining artistic events, meeting friends is my outlet when I just need a break. And I make sure I create some time for that.
How do you relax?
Strolling around together with my second pair of eyes, my camera. Letting myself discover, enjoy and capture the beauty around me is what relaxes me most.
People may be surprised to know…
..that I have tried 5 (totally different to each other) professions, except being a counselor/psychologist, and that was something really exciting! It is my curiosity that drives me to try all these various challenges and that is something quite self-fulfilling.
What do you care most about, as a business owner?
My main care is to act responsibly towards my clients. Therefore in all my services provided I make sure I am well prepared and I deal with all tasks in a professional and reliable way.
What are your future plans?
- To expand “The Anti-Loneliness Project” and to collaborate with other entrepreneurs, so that we can make it more creative and more helpful to even more people.
- To create innovative products within my company.
- To travel to places that I have never been yet.
- To learn a new language.
For more information about Vassia Sarantopoulou and The Anti-Loneliness Project, please visit www.antiloneliness.com