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Vivacious and individual, vibrant and original are the best words to describe the powerhouse that is Angela Vithoulkas! Hearing Angela speak is an event full of surprises, left hand turns, tears, and true belly laughs.
You can’t get much closer to relevance in small business than someone who, after 26 years and over 20 successful businesses, still loves being in business and sharing that knowledge with other aspiring owners. As a respected Sydney business woman, keynote speaker and presenter, and advisor to governments Angela Vithoulkas has forged a path that most wouldn’t expect of a humble café owner.
Born into the hospitality industry
At her 'day job' Angela is fully hands on, and as she says "small business is big business". Born into the hospitality industry, Angela has business in her blood, sharing a 26 year business history with brother and business partner Con.
Angela is the CEO of VIVO Cafe. She has been serving customers in Sydney’s CBD for over 26 years and is well known for her humour and no-nonsense approach to running a business and a team of dedicated staff.
A multi-award winning businesswoman
A multi-award winner, including City of Sydney Outstanding Café of the Year and City of Sydney Business of the Year, ahead of The Sydney Bridge Climb and Greater Union Cinemas, and the 2007 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Owner of the Year, Angela has built VIVO into a brand that is renowned for its customer service excellence as well as its sensational coffee.
And, to add yet another string to her bow, at the end of 2010 Angela hosted an event with former Prime Minister John Howard to promote his book, Lazarus Rising. This was just another way for Angela to give her customers something unexpected and go beyond the parameters of just being the local café
Through her experience of buying, building up and selling over 20 successful cafés in Sydney’s CBD, Angela has seen the highs and lows of being a small business owner and experienced just about every tragedy and triumph that comes with the territory.
Never happy standing still in business, Angela is constantly on the look-out for new ways to market and promote her business, as well as constantly finding ways to improve and change the way she serves her customers with exactly what they want.
Fast-becoming one of Australia’s most prominent keynote speakers and MC’s, Angela delivers small business advice and expertise with humour, relevance and an entertaining style.
She is passionate about small business, women in business, and social responsibility and involves herself readily in events that help small business owners reach their potential.
Government advisor on small business
Her inclusion on the City of Sydney Retail Advisory Panel, as the only small business owner among a long list of respected Sydney business and government leaders recognises Angela’s knowledge and experience of what’s needed to run a retailing and hospitality business in today’s market. And her recent appointment as a Panel Member for the ATO Micro Business Partnership allows her to give vital feedback to the ATO on matters of the administration of the tax system for small business.
Weddings and Events of Australia
In 2011 Angela launched her new organization for small to medium business, Weddings & Events of Australia (WEOA). WEOA will provide businesses within the weddings and events industry with a membership website and system that allows them to establish accreditation through an annual Awards program. As well as recognising businesses for their contribution to the industry, WEOA members will also be able to take advantage of business webinars that are specifically tailored to their unique needs. And, in an industry where businesses work closely with others in complementary areas, the WEOA networking events aim to develop and foster strong businesses relationships that help future growth.
Eagle Waves Radio
Never one to stand still in business, Angela is quickly establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the broadcasting world. She is providing small business owners everywhere with a voice through her internet radio show Eagle Waves Radio. A natural behind the microphone, she combines her own small business knowledge with a mix of local business owners, a panel of regular guest experts and an impressive line-up of special guests, such as Jaimie Fuller, CEO of Skins. With the show live streaming, small business owners everywhere will be able to benefit from hearing small business issues discussed in an informative and entertaining style at various times throughout the week. Visit the website of Eagle Waves Radio to view the full program of online shows. Follow the station on Twitter and watch the hashtag #RadioEW.
Engaging, compelling and full of knowledge
She is engaging, compelling and full of knowledge she is ready to share. She is equally comfortable with connecting to an audience of 300+ as she is sharing insights with the Prime Minister, or sitting across the table from a handyman in the restaurant. Angela has the ability to find the connection with everyone in business, whether they are a solo business owner or CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation.
Angela is natural, entertaining and unafraid to speak her mind. By being at the coalface of business for 14 hours a day she is able to offer a unique and highly-relevant insight to encourage, teach and inspire other business owners. Through her individual style and approach to speaking she has inspired and educated many small business owners to follow a more successful path.
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