Greek Australian Nicholas Kalogeropoulos is looking to utilise his expertise to the benefit of Victoria’s diverse population after being appointed on the state government’s Multicultural Business Ministerial Council.
Kalogeropoulos, who has over 37 years’ experience running and owning businesses and eight years’ experience as a Business Performance coach, is ready to share his knowledge for other multicultural business owners.
The Director/COO of Global Hospitality Group (GHG) and Director/Founding Partner of Calibre Feasts will serve as part of a six-person council for the next few years that will work to aid multicultural small businesses.
Kalogeropoulos stated he had been seeking a role to assist small businesses, believing his experience in working with numerous people of cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds as well with people in over six countries made him suited for the council.
“I have got a genuine interest in giving back so when there was an opportunity to apply for a board position on the Small Business Ministerial Council, I took to it and applied and I was lucky enough to be selected,” he told Neos Kosmos while in Japan with GHG, who is providing operations services for the Australia Pavilion at the World Expo.
Kalogeropoulos expressed he hopes and anticipates he will assist people in running their businesses.
“Not just in Melbourne but in Australia and around the world, opening a small business is one of the hardest jobs you can,” he said.
“If I can assist them in setting up their business so it can be financially viable for them, to create a lifestyle for them and their family, that is the first and foremost thing to do.”
The GHG Director and COO expressed that further assistance must be considered given that English is a second language for these business owners.
“It is also assisting them in navigating the Australian business landscape. Whether that is tax, procurement or employment laws, supply chains or financial understanding,” he said, noting it is the sort of work he has done in his capacity as a coach.
Kalogeropoulos cited his father’s experience in migrating from Greece to Australia as an example of what present-day immigrants also strive for: creating a better life for themselves and their families.
“If I can assist them in that and if I can put a voice to the people I have worked with and help the government assist them to navigate all the challenges that come with running a small business, then that is what I am hoping to get out of it,” he said.
Kalogeropoulos said that success for him within his two-three year period on the council would be helping multicultural business owners navigate the red tape, and to also try and simplify it.
“There is a lot of bureaucracy when it comes to opening up a small business,” he said.
The GHG Director highlighted his experience as a business mentor for Franstown City Council as enlightening him on the challenges faced by immigrants.
“Especially in Frankston, there are a lot of immigrants who have opened up businesses and they find a lot of challenges in understanding how to run a business here in Victoria,” he said.
Kalogeropoulos reiterated that simplifying the process, assisting them with greater support and other avenues, and educating and promoting further all the resources available to them are all crucial methods the council can help.
The official media release noted that the council will also provide advice on government policy and services relating to the multicultural business sector and will raise emerging issues affecting the sector.
In addition to Kalogeropoulos, the council consists of Bihong Wang (council Chair), Dr Angraj (Raj) Khillan (Deputy Chair), Dr Angeline Achariya, Lynda Cavalera and Hy (Andy) Tran.
