Nikolas Onoufriadis I IdeaMensch

Nikolas Onoufriadis is a seasoned business executive, consultant, and entrepreneur with close to two decades of global experience spanning operations, strategy, and executive leadership. With a proven track record across 15 countries and multiple industries — including technology, health, energy, life sciences, and hospitality — Nikolas has become a trusted force in driving growth, improving efficiencies, and building sustainable cross-border relationships. Known for his strategic mindset and sharp problem-solving skills, Nikolas has built a reputation for “connecting the dots” and delivering practical solutions to complex challenges. His unique ability to navigate both structured corporate environments and self-owned ventures has positioned him as a versatile leader with deep insights into company transformation, market entry, and global expansion.

Nikolas is the founder of Power2U Consulting, a Boston-based international business advisory firm supporting public and private entities with market strategy, operational design, and government relations. Nikolas also serves as the Executive Director of NETCOMPANY-INTRASOFT’s U.S. subsidiary. Since founding the American office in 2012, he has led business development, strategic partnerships, and U.S. operations. His work within the INTRACOM Group, where INTRASOFT formerly belonged, spans more than 18 years and includes contributions to companies INTRALOT and INTRAKAT. Prior to his executive career, Nikolas held roles outside the traditional business world. He worked at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, supporting executive education programs for foreign senior government officials, and later served as a Mental Health Counselor and media consultant in Greece, co-authoring international publications and appearing on national platforms.

Nikolas holds two Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Psychology, and two Master’s degrees in Political Science and Management, with focuses on International Relations and Public Affairs. He has studied at the University of Massachusetts, Harvard, and Suffolk University, and participated in the Kerry/Edwards Presidential Campaign, gaining his first hands-on experience in communication and diplomacy. Beyond his corporate and academic achievements, Nikolas is a dedicated mentor, philanthropist, and global citizen. Based in Boston, he spends much of the year traveling and has mentored students through programs at MIT, Suffolk, and Boston University. Deeply committed to inspiring the next generation, he focuses on human connection, communication, and purposeful leadership. Learn more about his personal journey at: nikolasonoufriadis.net

What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?

Because of my work with international projects and clients, my workday begins early while having my first cup of coffee at home and catching up with emails and phone calls from overseas. I’m usually at my office around 9am for my morning meetings and to finalize the schedule for the rest of the day. The nature of my work dictates that I spend a lot of time speaking with people, which sometimes covers the majority of the day; but towards the later hours, things calm down and I’m able to perform tasks on my to-do list. I am more of a night-owl than a morning person, so my days tend to last longer than usual. I have found that in order for me to be productive, I need the following: A) Structure. Having a structured schedule throughout the day and doing my best to follow it helps me stay productive. I don’t like “chaos” or unstructured environments. I like to know whom I am speaking or meeting with ahead of time to be prepared. I also like having a to-do list for the day and trying to get at least half of it done based on priority. B) Breaks. Short breaks help clear my mind and restructure my thoughts for what’s next. Even though many of my meetings are back-to-back, I always try to find a few minutes throughout the day to get up and walk around, grab a cup of coffee, get fresh flowers, or even chit-chat with people. Short breaks are not distractions; they serve as a tool to maximize performance. C) Taking Personal Time. There is nothing more important than our mental health, and nowadays, keeping sane and keeping productive almost seem on two different sides of the spectrum. In order to be productive, everyone needs to find their own balance between work and life. I try to keep a well-rounded life by always making time to keep in touch with friends and family, whether in person, on the phone or via text. Having a support mechanism around you is nothing short of a miracle when it comes to being productive.

How do you bring ideas to life?

20 years of working with a number of different companies, people, and industries, have given me some clarity as to which ideas might work better than others, as well as which steps need to be taken. Generally speaking, one of the first things to do for an idea to come to life is to check if it’s pragmatic. That means, doing your due diligence, market research, identifying a need, and then seeing if and how it can be executed. There is a long road between the inception of an idea and bringing it to life. It requires time, perseverance, respect for others, an open mind, and flexible thinking. A good idea coupled with the right mindset, the right group of people, and respect for the process and time will multiply your chances of success. Oh, and guts. It takes guts!

What’s one trend that excites you?

There are so many trends out there, some with a shorter lifespan than others. It is almost inevitable right now for someone to hear the word “trend” and not think of artificial intelligence. AI is reshaping the business world as we know it and it has so many applications. However, for me, it is the trend of evolving employee and customer experience and how it has changed in just the past 5–10 years. The expectations and dynamics between employers and employees, or businesses and clients, have changed so dramatically that I dare say has created a generational gap of communication in the workforce. I believe that this trend has generated a need for elevated emotional communication in terms of core human values and understanding how people can best interact and work with each other.

What is one habit that helps you be productive?

Life is messy and unpredictable, so I try to keep a structured schedule and environment as much as possible. I have met people that thrive in chaos. I am not one of them. For me, keeping a structured work schedule and being in a neat environment helps with my productivity and also to avoid mistakes.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Everyone has their own agenda. Do your due diligence. Trust your instincts.

Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.

Keep to yourself and try to be private. Everyone’s trying to be “out there” and be “seen”. In a world where oversharing and over-information is everywhere around us, keeping quiet is a tool.

What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?

Communicate!! Communicate openly, and emotionally. Have the difficult conversations now. Bring them up, listen to another perspective; otherwise, they’ll eat at you from the inside. Take chances. Work the solutions, not the problems.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?

Simple things go a long way for me. Taking a break, speaking with friends and family, going for a walk, listening to music, watching a movie or a show. They all help clear my mind!

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?

I always strive to be honest in my relationships with people with the hope that it will be reciprocal, and that they will last a long time. It is really important to identify and cultivate relationships that are honest, selfless, and built on strong foundations.

What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?

I have had a few failures in my career, and they have all taught me valuable lessons. The general strategy is always to pick up your pieces, put yourself back together and charge forward. It is never easy, but it is necessary. There was one failure that was life-altering and occurred because I failed to do proper due diligence on that person, I trusted too easily, and did not follow my instincts. Failure always makes you feel overwhelmed with negative emotions and those can take over your life very easily. You must rely on people for love and support, use logic to recondition your thought process, and focus on what matters most in your life. All in all, embrace the mistakes, learn from them, and take measures not to repeat them.

What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I’m all about meeting new people, connecting, and socializing based on common interests. For an avid traveler like me, an app where people could connect based on their travel schedules would be really great, even though I understand the security implications behind it.

What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Even though I don’t rely on it heavily, ChatGPT has recently been a good tool for me to mostly double-check my work and maybe get a different perspective on my thoughts and analyses.

What is the best $100 you recently spent?

To buy a good friend a drink and a bite. Nothing makes me happier than treating people or buying something for them.

Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?

I just started reading “Murder the Truth”, which was a recent recommendation by a dear friend and an excellent analysis of today’s business and political landscapes. Also, I am an avid watch enthusiast so I tend to read or listen podcasts around watches, watch collecting, watchmaking, the historical significance of brands, new technologies, etc. There’s something magical about the essence of time and studying it through these little machines.

What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?

I love watching movies or series. It is an outlet for me. They relax me and help me take my mind off of life’s troubles. More often than not, they also give me a different perspective on matters at work or life in general. There are many movies / series that I’ve recently enjoyed but two that have stayed with me are “The Blacklist” and “Suits”. They both offered complex, analytical, and out of the box thinking that are critical in my life.

Key learnings:

• Take risks. Fail and learn valuable lessons. There is no better school than life itself.
• Always make time for family and friends.
• Build a support group around you.
• Do simple things that help you recalibrate your thinking and take your mind off your troubles.
• Build relationships and invest in people, without expecting the same in return.
• Do your due diligence. Be aware of people’s mindsets and self-interests.