In this episode of Made in Cyprus – Big Business Stories from a Tiny Island, host Martin sits down with Gala Grigoreva, the CMO at Adsterra, marketeer, mentor, and advocate for women in tech. Gala shares her journey from her early days in PR to becoming a leader in branding and marketing, revealing how she masterfully blends creativity, data, and authentic storytelling to build powerful brands.

Gala explains that while brand represents the personality of a business, marketing is its voice - a synergy that is essential for standing out in today’s crowded digital landscape. She also dives into the nuances of personal branding for introverts, the challenges of balancing professional ambition with personal well-being, and how genuine communication can forge lasting emotional connections with customers.

Tune in to discover Gala’s insights on leveraging authentic narratives, fostering empowerment in tech, and redefining success beyond conventional metrics.

Brought to you by Factory 39.

In this episode of Made in Cyprus – Big Business Stories from a Tiny Island, our host sits down with Artem Burtsev, CMO of bb:, to explore the evolving world of real estate branding in Cyprus. Artem shares his journey through rebranding challenges—from separating development from traditional agency models to launching creative tenders that reshaped market perceptions.

Discover how emotional storytelling, strategic pricing, and a focus on customer experience can transform a commodity into an aspirational brand. With insights drawn from both local and international markets, Artem explains why differentiating through authentic, human-centric branding is key to building a better future in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Brought to you by Factory 39.

How does a love for art and engineering shape the future of fashion? In this episode, Made in Cyprus host Martin Zarian chats with creative entrepreneur Evangelina Fysa, founder of Bungalow 28 - a boutique agency at the intersection of style, branding, and tech.

Evangelina reveals her unconventional path from coding websites as a teenager to attending exclusive runway shows, and finally launching her own brand and consultancy. Discover why heritage fashion houses still thrive without heavy marketing, how Web3 principles like transparency and community can revolutionise brand-consumer relationships, and why technology should serve humanity - not the other way around.

If you’ve ever wondered how to blend creativity, purpose, and cutting-edge tech, Evangelina’s story will inspire you to do it on your own terms - one stitch (or one line of code) at a time.

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we chat with keynote speaker and leadership coach Michael Virardi. Michael recounts how a chance conference trip to North Carolina sparked his passion for public speaking, ultimately leading him away from a thriving family business.

We explore the power of authenticity in personal branding, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and why staying true to your values is the ultimate competitive advantage. Michael also shares insights on harnessing AI as a personal assistant, embracing empathy as a game-changer in business, and remembering the human connection in an increasingly digital world.

Tune in to discover how carving your own path - no matter where you start - can unlock unlimited possibilities.

Brought to you by Factory 39.

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we dive into the fast-evolving world of branding and marketing with Nadezhda Ivanova, Chief Communication Officer at Unlimit and co-leader of Tech Island. Nadia shares the story behind Unlimit’s bold rebranding journey, transitioning from CardPay to a global fintech powerhouse with a neon green identity and a mission to stay "ready for tomorrow."

We explore the critical role of creativity and differentiation in today’s saturated markets, the challenges of scaling a global brand across diverse regions, and how to balance constant evolution with a core brand philosophy. Nadia also reveals her approach to navigating fear during a rebrand, managing complex operations, and why authentic storytelling is at the heart of successful brands.

Tune in for a masterclass in branding and marketing for the fintech world, packed with insights on leadership, creativity, and adapting to rapid change.

Brought to you by Factory 39.

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, Andreas Spyrou, a third-generation leader at ASG Group and a key figure behind the Limassol and Larnaca Marathons, shares his journey navigating the complexities of a family business while driving innovation in Cyprus' evolving landscape.

We explore how Andreas and his team transformed challenges into opportunities during the pandemic, diversifying their business into new ventures, while continuing to grow Cyprus’ largest sporting event. Andreas also opens up about balancing tradition with modernisation, the dynamics of family business, and the opportunities and challenges posed by Cyprus’ rapid development.

Tune in to hear Andreas’ thoughts on the future of Cyprus, the importance of embracing change, and how strategic decisions can turn crises into growth.

Brought to you by Factory 39.

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we explore the powerful concept behind Fckup Nights Limassol with Maria and Alla, the dynamic duo bringing this global movement to Cyprus. Fckup Nights offers a safe space for business leaders to openly share their failures, creating an environment that encourages vulnerability, trust, and growth.

Maria and Alla share their personal journeys with failure and why embracing imperfections is essential in both personal and professional life. We discuss how early expectations and cultural backgrounds shape our perception of success—and the relief in breaking free from perfectionism. Tune in to hear how F*ckup Nights Limassol is connecting the community and changing the conversation around failure.

Brought to you by Factory 39 and Martin Zarian.

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Efi Philippou, a fractional CFO and financial strategist, to uncover the power of aligning purpose with financial strategy. Efi shares her journey from auditing, to helping businesses avoid financial pitfalls, emphasising the importance of sustainable growth and operational alignment. Learn how fractional CFOs can help businesses navigate challenges, optimise cash flow, and translate numbers into impactful stories. Whether you’re a startup founder, a hospitality leader, or simply curious about purpose-driven financial leadership, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for building resilient businesses.

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we’re joined by Violeta Skittidi, co-founder of Formulaw, a pioneering startup that’s streamlining legal processes for SMEs through innovative AI-powered contract management. Violeta shares how Formulaw evolved from a university project in London into a full-fledged legal tech startup with a mission to make legal services more accessible and affordable for small businesses.

In this episode of "Made in Cyprus," we sit down with Yiannis Eftychiou, co-founder of 33East, Cyprus' first VC fund backed by the European Union. We explore the challenges and opportunities that come with building a venture capital ecosystem on the island, how 33East is bringing nearly €40 million into the local tech scene, and what it takes to foster homegrown innovation.