The Greek financial crisis has brought negative stories about Greece. But in every crisis there is opportunity. Charisma Gifts has a story of optimism as part of the Greek crisis narrative.
Natassa Patrikiou is a fourth generation South African Greek. As a child growing up in South Africa, she was always exposed to the vastness of South African culture as well as the essence of her Greek roots.
At the age of 11, Patrikiou finally visited those roots during her first family vacation to Greece.
“It was only a two-week holiday, but within that short time, I instantly knew that I wanted to someday return to Greece and experience it far more than just as a tourist,” she says.
“After finishing school, I returned to Greece at the brink of the Greek crisis in February 2010 to live and study in Athens.”
Once she graduated, Patrikiou realised that she wanted to be involved with something she felt passionate about. That was Greece, its people, its history, its culture, its lifestyle and the country’s unique spirit of filotimo.
“After much research I found that there was a gap in the market for a gifting service that offered a snapshot of the country’s distinctive colours, textures and flavours to the outside world,” she adds.
“Charisma’s mission is to enable anyone with a love for Hellenic culture and design to send a selection of uniquely Greek ‘gifts of grace’ to loved ones in Greece.”
With charismagifts.gr, Patrikiou and her crew go to great lengths to carefully select original, unusual and exquisite handcrafted products from Greece’s most innovative artisans. Charisma offers exclusive handmade gifts that you are unlikely to find in the average department store, gift shop or e-retail website. It showcases items that are fresh and creative, and that often give a zesty modern twist to a traditional Greek favourite.
Patrikiou managed to tick all her goal-boxes, while supporting small businesses.
“We have scoured the country looking for products that showcase the exceptional talent and creativity of enterprising Greeks who are passionate about their artistic vision but have few commercial outlets for their wares,” Patrikiou Stresses.
“As a start-up whose purpose is to help small businesses succeed in Greece, I am amazed by the number of incredibly creative companies established during the crisis.”
In supporting small artisanal traders, Charisma hopes to help stimulate local and international demand for our Greece’s beautiful and original hand-crafted goods, steeped in centuries of culture and heritage.
“We’de love to play a role in boosting the economy, even if it is small at the moment,” she says.
“It has been very encouraging to see many young start-up companies and their willingness to collaborate, cooperate and how service orientated they are.”
*For more ideas and information head over to www.charismagifts.gr
