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Gus Kangadis - Success Story of a Young CEO

Gus Kangadis, the President and CEO of BlockbusterPrint.com. An inspirational young man with a big imagination teaches us never to stop dreaming. Raised by Greek parents who moved to America in 1974 without money, they migrated for a better life. Gus Kangadis (Born December 1981) was enrolled by his parents to a small private Greek/American school of 300 kids in Chicago. Gus attended Socrates School at the age of 4, accepted at a younger age than most, from kindergarten to 8th grade where he was taught about Greek History, inventions, philosophy and culture. He found it interesting how everything around us was inspired by ancient Greeks. Architecture, Religion, Sport, Theatre, Politics, Astronomy, Biology. At that point, his imagination sparked what soon became a raging fire.

 

In the mid 80’s, school books did not have crisp full color images or graphics as they do today. When Gus Kangadis’ teachers taught Greek History, they would describe historic events in a theatrical manner. Not having a visual, Gus had to create his own mental perception of these events. Drawing on the back of his notepads and scribbling on books. When it was time for homework, Gus was not the best student. He perceived homework as robotic work. His own teachings and thirst for creativity was greater than any school lesson presented to him. He felt homework was lesser than him and a mental strain. His grades declined drastically and barely passed each school year. While most of his classmates participated in school birthday parties, video games and playing with toys as most kids do – Gus showed no major interest in these things, staying in his room drawing. Gus and his family lived in a 3rd floor apartment in a bad neighborhood of Chicago, where he could not go out and play. He had to dream of things to do. Sparking an even bigger imagination. His parents claim that he would say, “Toys are for kids”, not realizing he was one. It seems that he was destined for more.

 

In 1995 Gus Kangadis graduated private school and moved on to High School. This is where culture shock took place in his life. He never came in contact with people outside his Greek Heritage. High School fueled his interest in life, people and their cultures since he had been secluded from the world. He adapted and instantly made many friends with his shockingly funny and friendly nature. He was the popular guy in school. He wished to see how his culture differed from others by educating himself, through friendships. In Gus’ senior year, school became too much to bear and he eventually graduated with a general education diploma.

 

Gus went on to work many low end jobs. A valet driver at an upper scale downtown restaurant where he would park expense cars. He wanted the success these people had. Sitting in their cars he experienced the feeling of what it was like to be a success. He wanted it. He was a waiter in 1998 and a cashier at a local grocery store in 1999. Although it was a job that paid $5.25 an hour, Gus loved it. He found creativity and attraction to the feeling of presenting and selling as well as the people interaction we are so lacking today. Knowing, this was a temporary and foolish job, he enjoyed the greater lesson he took from this. Saying hello to hundreds of people per day and thousands per week. He took something from everyone’s character. A poor man’s humble and quite ways. A wealthy man’s confident demeanor. The unattractive nature of a rude person. The pure, calm nature of a sweet elderly lady coming back to tell him he smashed her eggs. They would laugh and he would sneak two extra cartons in her bag, simply because inside, he was grateful for the lessons given secretly by people. Being able to see that no matter what the problem in life, there is no problem when kindness, creativity and laughter are around. At times, he would give people free bread pretending there was a sale but then secretly placing his own money in the register later. He took bits and pieces of positive people’s personality to perfect his own. At this point, he was only 17. He saw so much of what the real world was and liked but mostly hated what people are. Selfish and greedy. Rude and negative.

 

His vision of other cultures and people added to his intellect and creativity leading him on the path of graphic design. This is where Gus found his calling in life. He went back to the creative days of 4th and 5th grade when he used to draw and create. He wanted to stay in a happy place mentally where he could feel like a kid for life, as we all secretly do inside. Gus Kangadis passed on the opportunity of a college education and from 2003 till 2009 he went on to succeed financially and emotionally by being commissioned to execute big design projects like the famous “I Voted Obama” Presidential Campaign pins. Some clients are…. The 2016 Olympic Committee, Chicago’s Mayor Daley, The State Department - a heart animation for The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Budweiser/Maxim Magazine USA Tour, MTV, VH1, CBS2 News Chicago. One that caught big headlines was his project for NBA Superstar Shaquille O’Neal which landed his work on the cover of Yahoo News and Howard Stern. He also designed advertisements for Las Vegas hotel night club, Wax at the Venetian and countless others while rubbing elbows with a few celebrities along the way. From powerful political figures to movie stars. He then went on to create www.BlockbusterPrint.com, a full online print company with print facilities stationed in California, Ohio, Chicago, Florida, Texas and New York. Kangadis achieved all this at the young age of 27. His 2003 profits were in the range of $12,000. Today, Mr. Kangadis’ company is producing 7 figures in gross sales. Making his story an inspiration to us all.

 

When asked to provide a comment on his life’s success story, Gus simply replied, “Never stop dreaming and creating because that is when you start dying. I credit my family for everything I am and for supporting and allowing me to grow into who I wanted to be. You cannot force a key into the wrong lock. Being raised in a loving home with laughter really is the biggest driving force behind my success. It gave me the confidence to explore and not be afraid to fail because there was no such thing as failing as long as you tried. I plan on one day providing the same support for my children. It’s the best nourishment to grow to the stars. A chemistry teacher or a college professor will not do the job. No matter where you go or what you achieve, life is not complete without family. The world around us is just the liquid but family, family is the sponge. Mentally soak up the world around you with curiosity and when you do, life will be like a movie you have seen many times – you will know the next move making everything easier.”

 

The versatility and creative power of Mr. Kangadis mark him as a supreme example of artistic and entrepreneur genius. He depicts in his drawings, with scientific precision and consummate artistry, subjects ranging from intricate anatomical studies of people, animals, and plants. The richness and originality of intellect expressed in his notebooks from his childhood reveal one of the most creative minds of his time.

About the Author

Look at online resource for Gus Kangadis and Kostas Kangadis.

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