From Theater to entrepreneurship with Stamatis Astra

My guest today is Stamatis Astra is the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Intelligent Relations. In this freewheeling conversation, he talks about:Introduction & Origin StoryStamatis shares his varied career journey, starting in theater before transitioning into technology and entrepreneurship.Reflects on early internet days, the rise of e-commerce, and parallels with today’s AI revolution.Entrepreneurial Mindset & Product BuildingThe core skills of entrepreneurship remain the same, whether in film or software—raising funds, pitching ideas, and building belief.Confidence, resilience, and timing play crucial roles in success.Theater vs. Business—Script vs. ImprovIn acting, a defined script brings clarity, whereas business requires improvisation based on data and insights.Sales and investor pitches require a structured approach, but product development thrives on innovation and open-ended discussions.Remote Work & Leadership ChallengesDiscusses difficulties of leading distributed teams without face-to-face interaction.Emphasizes the need for engaged communication, structured meetings, and keeping discussions interactive.The Intersection of Media, AI & EntrepreneurshipShares insights from his role as a venture partner and a radio host—both involve asking deep, thought-provoking questions.Talks about Intelligent Relations, a PR SaaS company leveraging AI to democratize media access.AI's Role in Public RelationsAI helps connect brands with journalists through automation and data-driven personalization.PR success hinges on storytelling—brands must embed themselves in the news cycle, not just promote their offerings.Career Opportunities in Public RelationsTraditional PR relied on communication specialists; today, data engineers play a vital role.Engineers help structure outreach for journalists, influencers, and media platforms.Personal Philosophy & Staying GroundedThe importance of family, health, and knowing the deeper motivation behind success.Business challenges come and go, but fundamental values remain the same.Stamatis Astra, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Intelligent RelationsStamatis Astra is the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Intelligent Relations, where he drives the company’s mission to transform public relations through AI-powered technology and expert insights. With over 20+ years of experience in media and business strategy, Stamatis is fully committed to making earned media accessible to all businesses, helping them build meaningful connections with the media and tell impactful stories.