Garry Kousoulou has had a jam-packed year, a whirlwind of epic achievements.
Garry has a busy demanding life, diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and covid did not hold him back, —neither feeling sorry for yourself or setbacks are his vibe, running a social media company, optical recruitment and training company raising four children are just a few things he does, Life is too rewarding to give up!
He is the managing director for Loving Social Media and an advocate of awards. We have our fingers crossed, toes and other appendages… The announcement of the official FINALISTS for the 10th Annual National Entrepreneur Awards.
So Garry thought he would like to share his entry form with you. At the time of uploading this blog, it is just the first stage and we will update you if the application gets to the next round on the 1st of September.
Today is the 2nd of September and Garry finds himself in the final!!!!
What a week – Being one of the first humans in a clinical trial double-blind placebo-controlled trial to remyelination for relapsing-remitting sclerosis starting a new business Tap To Trust Cards
First up he orchestrated with his team, from conception to delivery, The Best Business and Community Enfield Awards 2023. A showcase of businesses connecting local people, the challenges were mammoth. Unexpectedly, a staggering 12,000 votes were cast which culminated in a collection of 12,000 email addresses in just six weeks! The event was attended by over 150 local businesses, Microsoft and dignitaries among the guests. A very successful evening!
Press releases both locally and nationally.
An event of this magnitude should take 3 months, but with limited resources, Garry and his team accomplished it in 6 weeks! Garry; a true believer in “Not becoming world-class at getting ready!”
You will often hear him say,
“Nothing great was achieved by just one person”
“The worst meeting is when only one person is talking”
Garry’s passion for developing others is just the beginning of the story.
His love for his community, tackling work-life balance and determination to be better every day is evident in everything he does.
Hold onto your hat because there is a lot for a short space of time!
Garry’s has had a jam-packed year, a whirlwind of epic achievements.
First up he orchestrated with his team, from conception to delivery, The Best Business and Community Enfield Awards 2023. A showcase of businesses connecting local people, the challenges were mammoth. Unexpectedly, a staggering 12,000 votes were cast which culminated in a collection of 12,000 email addresses in just six weeks! The event was attended by over 150 local businesses, Microsoft and dignitaries among the guests. A very successful evening!
Press releases both locally and nationally.
An event of this magnitude should take 3 months, but with limited resources, Garry and his team accomplished it in 6 weeks! Garry; a true believer in “Not becoming world-class at getting ready!”
A judge for the second year running at the Business Book Awards UK.
This year he’s taken on 30 work-experience students.
His reputation for supporting young people has even extended to the manager of the local job centre this week reaching out to help her son!
He truly cares about the environment, with his tree planting project collaborating with The Eden Project.
Despite the challenges of multiple sclerosis, he can fill any room with positive energy.
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, along came Strictly Enfield!
Being asked to be a contestant in the local strictly come dancing was so out of Garry’s comfort zone, with his two left feet and one signature move it not only raised lots of money for charity but he was the judge’s favourite!
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As the Director of Loving Social Media, he continues to inspire and make a meaningful difference.
The Done for You business ( born from EC Done for You social media course in 2008 ) has doubled its turnover and profit since January, having 11 staff along with partnerships in recruitment, it’s been his best year ever!
A very eclectic portfolio of clients even though its niche is optics.
After establishing LSM with a stable motivated team, and a rock-solid customer base, taking, a well-deserved four-week family holiday touring America! Despite a member of staff resigning, he steers towards success without losing it, while never forgetting to enjoy the journey.
As this is being written Garry is about to complete his acquisition of a second optical practice in London in partnership ( that is now complete ) https://askeweyewear.com/ https://askeweyewear.com/
with the Hakim group. his achievements illustrate determination, innovation, and a genuine connection with communities.
For more information about Garry Kousoulou and Loving Social Media, you can read more about him on Meta.com, they have conducted a case study on his remarkable work in optics through social media!
Entrepreneurial Success:
Making the time to do the right things to grow, working on my 1-hour, time management and communion skills.
Enfield business awards – 13,000 email addresses in 6 weeks (Still figuring out how to monetise this)
Trade events… 6 in all 100% optical 3-day event, UK business event 2 days independence day 2 days sight care conference 2 days BNi conference 1-day Enfiled business conference ( collecting over 500 emails we are always following up on )
Profits are up 20% Net on turnover of £500,000
Innovation – quick adaptation of AI, sharing best practices to deliver KPIs that matter, Retention is something that is looked at every 13 weeks with a survey of all customers s=scoring LSM 86% happy and would recommend
Building relationships with optical brands 100% optical – Sekio Optical
A New Recruitment Agency need an Optom
Created a local Facebook group called Loving Local with 20,000 members, more than just extra income but establishing my brand with a weekly live show and online directory.
A judge for the second year running at the Business Book Awards UK requires reading 50+ business books narrowing that down to 8 takes a bucket load of time, but one of the best things for self-devolvement I do all year!
The second optical practice was added to Porto.
Leadership
Built a great team of 10, promoting from within, training and outstanding values at the core… Scorecards and KPI lead
Overcoming Challenges like COVID-19 Lost 72% of customers in 1 week! sharing in an open mindset with my team, communication is always open.
It’s only small, but I think it’s worth mentioning to be asked 24 hours before with very little preparation to manage a men’s football charity match. Football isn’t necessarily something I am good at, my team won with an unusual formation 4- 3 -3 . Lots of motivation, bribery, and raising thousands of pounds for a local hospice..
Social Impact Locally and wider with the Business and Community Awards connecting local businesses together and recognising outstanding work.
https://enfielddispatch.co.uk/new-enfield-business-awards-swamped-with-nominations/
https://enfielddispatch.co.uk/enfield-businesses-pick-up-prizes-at-local-awards-ceremony/
Garry does his best to unwind and run the business from afar.
Ethical Business Practices
Taking on Work experience students and mentoring them, talking at local schools and not always putting profit first. 1,300 over 25 years in business.
Planted over 1,000 tresses in Madagasga with N0co2
Working with the government DWP Kickstarter to employ 320 young people last year
Industry Recognition:
Asked to have a partnership with 100% Optical, the largest optical event in the UK to fulfil their recruitment needs and those in the industry
https://www.opticaljournal.com/sightcare-loving-social-media-webinars/
https://www.businessbookawards.co.uk/garry-kousoulou-2023/
https://www.opticianonline.net/content/news/sightcare-airs-marketing-webinars/
https://www.abdo.org.uk/news/digital-marketing-webinars-offered/
Asked to implement and deliver a once-a-month webinar on digital marketing, general marketing and leadership by Sightcare the largest independent membership organisation for opticians
Innovation in Adversity:
Garry Kousoulou’s ability to innovate and adapt to challenging circumstances, such as during economic downturns or global crises, as a commendable trait. never stop learning and growing.
New book on happiness in optics
Resilience when things go wrong
Member of staff resigns when I’m on holiday
Losing clients unnecessarily reviewing systems and procedures
Challenges with time management, kids doing GCSEs, A-levels, married with kids balance
It’s only small, but I think it’s worth mentioning to be asked 24 hours before with very little preparation to manage a men’s football team for a charity match. Football isn’t necessarily something. I’m brilliant at my team winning with an unusual formation. Lots of motivation bribery, raising thousands of pounds for a local hospice..
It’s a great honour for him, to be described as the leading authority in social media in the optical sector, author of˜Social Media Strategy for Opticians, the first book of its kind in the world ) he has spoken on this subject throughout the UK and as far afield as Dubai.
work-life balance
Holiday for 4 weeks and learning when to switch off! Keeping fit and a better understanding of what you put in is what you get out.
Long-Term Vision:
Do everything I can to stay out of a wheelchair with Ms.
My financial goals are to increase my net take home by 20% buy 2 new opticians and increase my property portfolio from 2 to 4 rental properties.
Personal: My family to be healthy and happy – Do as much as I can to help the kids of the UK to skill themselves up and spread happiness
Loving social media to be regarded as the best agency in the UK which I think we are pretty close to right now!
in a partnership to start UK apprenticeships
The biggest challenges with time management, kids doing GCSEs, A-levels, married getting that balance right
Not bad for a kid that left school with no GCSEs
Garry Kousoulou Director of Happiness
