Fotini Soultanaki: “Reinvention, Purpose and the Power of Women in Entrepreneurship”

In this interview, Fotini Soultanaki shares her journey of reinvention, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. She speaks about leadership, women’s empowerment, and the importance of turning challenges into opportunities.

Q1. Professionally you have transitioned from a sports and education path to real estate and hospitality. How did you successfully navigate such diverse career transitions?

Every chapter of my life gave me skills, discipline, and perspectives that became the foundation for the next one. I never saw each transition as a starting point from zero, but another step of my ongoing development.  

Competitive sports taught me perseverance, self-discipline, and the importance of continuous improvement. Education strengthened my ability to communicate, understand people, and inspire others. Property renovations and hospitality developed my problem-solving skills, creativity and transforming potential into reality. Hospitality brought all these experiences together by allowing me to create meaningful spaces where people connect.

The ability to adapt comes from my propensity to transform myself in a better version of me. I have always believed in upskilling and reskilling, because the world around us is constantly evolving. New technologies, changing markets, and shifting social needs require curiosity, flexibility and the courage to step outside our comfort zones.

We tend to define ourselves by our profession rather than our talents and abilities. My journey has taught me that our abilities are far more transferable than we imagine. When we remain open to lifelong learning and embrace change, every experience becomes an asset, and every new chapter becomes an opportunity to grow.

Q2. Reinvention seems to be a defining theme in your life. Where does that come from?

Reinvention has never been a single decision for me. It has been a way of approaching life. I didn't become an entrepreneur because I followed a traditional family business path or had formal entrepreneurial training. I became one because I was willing to step into the unknown, feel free to experiment, trust my instincts and keep learning every step of the way.

If there is one thread connecting every stage of my journey, it is the belief that we are never finished becoming who we can be. Reinvention isn't about changing who you are; it's about having the courage to evolve into the person your next challenge requires. That mindset has been the foundation of my entrepreneurial journey, and it continues to inspire every new venture I take on. Growth always begins outside our comfort zone. Every challenge I've faced has taught me that persistence and resilience are prerequisites to move forward whileovercoming any obstacles along the way. These are, in fact,opportunities to adapt, improve, and discover strengths I never thought I had. 

Q3. Women often feel they must prove themselves repeatedly in life. Has that been part of your experience?

There have certainly been moments when I was expected to prove myself, particularly in the male dominated society that we live in where women remain under-represented. That led me to put in more effort to prove the obvious, i.e., that some women’s abilities are equal to men’s at the very least. I think of a multitasking woman as a “French key’’ that unlocks all locks.  

Women bring qualities that are increasingly valuable in today's business environment; empathy, adaptability, collaboration and emotional intelligence. These are not simply soft skills, but mostly strategic advantages. They build resilient teams, foster meaningful relationships, and create businesses that are both successful and sustainable.

For me, the goal has never been to lead like someone else. It has been to lead authentically, keep learning and create opportunities for others to grow alongside me.

Q4. Your business combines aesthetics, sustainability and hospitality. How do these values coexist?

Aesthetics, sustainability, and hospitality are not separate concepts, but they are deeply interconnected. They reflect the way we respect people, places, and the environment.

Aesthetics is not only about appearances. Harmony, emotion and a sense of belonging are key parts of aesthetics. Sustainability is an integral element of doing business nowadays along the lines of the EU Directive calling for reporting on non-financial criteria referring to the environment, society and governance, “ESG”. 

Hospitality calls for the above to work together to maximize clients’ satisfaction in terms of a meaningful, responsible and enduring experience with an impact. 

Q5. As a business owner, what does leadership mean to you today?

Effective leadership is about earning trust, communicating clearly, making sound decisions, and treating people with respect. Those qualities are universal.

Leadership is not about having all the answers, nor does it have a gender. It is about having the confidence to make decisions, the humility to listen, and the determination to keep moving forward even when the path isn't clear. I've always been curious, and that curiosity has fueled a continuous appetite for learning about people, markets, technology, and myself. Every new skill and every new experience have helped shape the entrepreneur I am today.

I try to lead by example with integrity, consistency, transparency and empathy. First and foremost, I need to be true to myself and committed to carrying out my business projects. Only then do people trust your intentions and are willing to walk your journey.

Q6. What advice would you give to women who dream of starting their own business?

My advice to other women is to have  an idea that they are able to envision. It is only then that the vision can be born into a business project, which may be converted from an abstract idea to a tangible outcome. 

Develop your own voice, keep learning, and let your actions establish your credibility. Authenticity is not a weakness, but one of the strongest foundations for success.

Make sure you are capable of running your business on your own in case a member of your team doesn’t meet expectations and last but not least 

do not hesitate to try even if you fail. Do not let fear of failure prevent you from trying. 

Successful implementation largely depends on a woman’s wholehearted approach and self-discipline throughout the project's lifecycle to completion. Profit is measured not only in monetary terms, but mostly in terms of non-financial criteria.

As an entrepreneur, I've learned that the most meaningful key performance indicators, KPIs, are not financial. Of course,occupancy rates and profitability matter, but equally important are employee retention, guest advocacy, and creating opportunities for people to grow. Sustainable success comes from balancing commercial performance with a strong culture and exceptional guest experience.

My approach to managing Methoni Gem is aligned with hospitality quality management principles. The project began with clear planning and measurable objectives, followed by disciplined execution. Continuous monitoring is key with a view to continuous improvement. This is based on lessons learned, which are embedded in Methoni Gem culture. Entrepreneurship is not a sprint; it is a long-term commitment to continuous growth.

Q7. You have lived in different countries and cultures. How has that shaped your entrepreneurial mindset?

Living in Greece, the USA and the UAE taught me that while cultures differ, people share similar interests such as authenticity and genuine human connection. International experiences broadened my perspective and made me question my decisions as an entrepreneur. That became a tremendous source of creativity and innovation without losing sight of who I am.Travel and living abroad has been an eye-opener. Success isn't about imposing your own way of doing things; it's about listening first, understanding different viewpoints and finding common ground. Only then is an effective outcome possible. 

Q8. Success is often measured financially. How do you personally define success?

I define success by the value I create. If I can restore a place while honoring its cultural heritage, support the local community and create experiences that people will remember for a lifetime, then I know I have come created value for all stakeholders involved in my project.  My claim to success is transforming a raw material of any kind into a gem. In other words, my philosophy in one sentence: success is the ability to transform raw potential into something extraordinary. Whether that means restoring a property, developing a business, inspiring a team, my greatest satisfaction comes from turning what others may overlook into something of lasting value, beauty, and purpose.  

I don't believe in replicating success. I believe in interpreting each opportunity on its own terms. 

Q9. Looking back, what has been the most valuable lesson you've learned throughout your journey?

That every ending contains the seed of a new beginning. Looking back, I can see that none of my previous roles were detours; they were preparation. Every experience, even the difficult ones, equipped me with new skills, perspectives, and resilience that I continue to draw upon today.

Life is rarely a straight line. It is a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and growing. Reinvention does not happen by chance; it begins with the courage to take the first step and is sustained by resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace change.

For women especially, I believe the greatest strength lies in recognizing that we are never defined by a single role or chapter. We have the capacity to evolve throughout our lives, and every new beginning is an opportunity to discover strengths we didn't know we possessed.

Q10. Finally, what does women's empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment is education, financial independence, confidence, collaboration and the willingness to lift others as we move upward and forward. Success becomes more meaningful when it creates opportunities for the next generation of women to dream even bigger than we did. Deriving from our legacy, they will be much better positioned to make the most out of their potential, capitalizing on our achievements, with technology on their side. The tools are in place for them to be efficient and effective female entrepreneurs.  In line with  ancient greek wisdom, where wisdom guides a woman’s hand, prosperity will bless the land. 

Women’s empowerment manifests itself in the growth of families, communities and the economy. 

Ideas are seeds. Courage is the rain. Enterprise is the harvest. 

Conclusion

Fotini’s story is a powerful reminder that success is not only about financial achievement, but about creating value, embracing change, and inspiring others. Her message is clear: with courage, resilience, and purpose, every new beginning can become an opportunity for something extraordinary.