Irene Karandrikas | Co-Founder of Revelist
A conversation with Revelist™ Co-Founder Irene Karandrikas on redefining leadership through emotional presence, direct communication, and the power of community to help women speak, create, and lead with confidence.
In what ways has your family story shaped your approach to work, power, and presence?
I grew up in a Greek-American home, where strong men often held very defined, traditional roles. But my father was different—he didn’t sugarcoat things and expected us to be strong women who fully participate in the world. He valued open, honest conversations and included me in everything—whether we were planting a tree or running every part of our family’s restaurant business.
He would often tell me, “Reenie, either teach yourself how to do it or ask someone how to do it—but always know how to do it yourself, you can’t always depend on others.” That mindset erased the idea that there were “men’s roles” or “women’s roles.” I entered my career believing women were capable of anything and unwilling to be intimidated by hard work or hierarchy.
When my father died in a car accident at 16, those lessons became my lifeline. I found myself helping my mother run the business, raise my little sister and earning the respect of staff twice my age. I learned to lead by working alongside people, communicating clearly, and explaining the why behind my decisions. That ability to connect, and stay emotionally present even in difficult circumstances, became one of my greatest strengths in male-dominated environments.
But being a “strong woman” isn’t always embraced. I’ve learned that when a woman is direct, assertive, and confident, it’s sometimes received with hesitation or challenge in ways men almost never experience. It’s meant working harder to earn trust, but it’s also sharpened my ability to read a room, adapt my delivery, and stay rooted in my convictions without losing my authenticity.
The gift in all of this is perspective. My favorite part of having faced so many obstacles is knowing what it feels like to carry the kind of life experience that never makes it onto a résumé. It’s given me the ability to see beyond titles and truly recognize people’s gifts—their stories, their creativity, and the beauty they bring into the world. That’s why I mentor and why I’ll always use my voice to elevate others, just as my father once did for me.
Was there a time when your voice felt dismissed or unseen, and how did you reclaim it?
There was a time in my career when I was leading a talented, dedicated team, and due to external circumstances, the company president told me I couldn’t give them raises. I couldn’t accept that without trying, so I pulled together every detail of why each person deserved one—outlining their contributions, their work ethic, and the value they brought to the company.
When I presented my case, the president’s response was, “Don’t worry about it—you’ll still get your bonus.” That moment hit me hard. It wasn’t about me; it was about recognizing the people who showed up for me and for the work every single day. I felt crushed—like I was betraying the very team that helped me deliver season after season. I lost sleep, my focus slipped, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something about this was deeply wrong.
In the end, I decided to have my bonus divided among my team so they could each receive an increase. The president approved it, but when I delivered the news, I was met with polite smiles that masked disappointment. They didn’t know what I had done for them—and I didn’t tell them. On paper, I had fought for them. In reality, I was left feeling drained, anxious, and strangely empty.
That experience taught me a hard but necessary lesson: as a leader, you can care deeply for your team, but you have to create healthy emotional boundaries. Without them, you risk carrying the weight of decisions you can’t fully control—and in the process, you can lose sight of your own well-being.
What helped me find my voice again was realizing that advocating for others doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself in silence. I started speaking up more openly—not just about what my team needed, but about the challenges we faced together. I learned to frame those conversations so leadership couldn’t dismiss them as “emotional,” but instead saw them as strategic and essential. Over time, I found a balance between protecting my team and protecting myself—and that balance allowed me to lead with both strength and sustainability.
Who stood beside you when your confidence wavered, and reminded you of your strength?
When I started in the fashion industry at 19, I worked as an assistant designer to an extraordinary woman named Debbie, who was the head designer of our division. From day one, I knew she was special—her communication was clear, her presence was calm, and no matter what challenges came up (and in fashion, they come up daily), she never let herself get rattled. She set the tone for our team, and I knew that when I had the chance to lead one day, I’d model my leadership after hers.
We worked for a very difficult owner—abrupt, loud, and often intimidating. One day, I was hand-drawing an intricate screen print, stippling every dot with an ink pen. He walked by and said, “We only do sports artwork here—throw that away.” I explained that Debbie had asked me to work on new concepts, but he snatched the paper, crumpled it into a ball, threw it on the floor, and stomped on it before walking away.
I felt embarrassed, upset, and deeply disrespected. I looked at Debbie with watery eyes and asked, “What should I do?” She simply pointed to the board of approved summer prints and said, “Irene, look—what’s missing? Do that.”
That night, I remembered my father’s words: “Know who you are.” He’d said it to me my whole life, reminding me to build unshakable faith in myself. So I went home, redrew every dot and line, printed 100 copies, and brought them to work the next day. Sure enough, the owner walked by, crumpled the first one, and tossed it in the trash. I pulled out copy #99. He crumpled three more, and I told him, “Let’s keep going—I have 95 more.”
My gut was right—the artwork went on to be a bestseller for three consecutive summer seasons. Debbie’s belief in me gave me the confidence to push forward with my vision, even when it wasn’t welcomed at first. She made me feel seen and heard, and that taught me the power of communication in leadership—when people feel heard, they feel safe to contribute their ideas, voice concerns, and take creative risks.
I wish more women had a leader/mentor like Debbie early in their careers—someone who listens, encourages, and creates space for them to grow into their full potential. That kind of support can change the way a woman sees herself and her place in the world.
How do you cultivate spaces where women feel safe to speak, create, and lead authentically?
When people who know me best describe my communication style, the word they use most often is direct. For me, direct communication is a form of respect — I never want to waste anyone’s time. If I love something, you’ll know it right away. And if I feel something needs work, change, or elimination, I’ll say so without running in circles.
Where I do spend more time is in the conversation. Over the years, I’ve learned that creatives express themselves in countless ways — some communicate best visually by showing their ideas, while others process quietly, revealing their thoughts through body language or subtle cues. Often, the most valuable exchanges happen in what I call “natural conversations” — the kind of chat you’d have if you bumped into me on the street, rather than a stiff, overly structured workplace meeting.
When eye contact, body language, and casual dialogue are the baseline, people feel comfortable — and that’s when you hear their real, authentic voice. That’s when the magic happens.
I love mentoring over time because the communication becomes so natural and unguarded that the flow of ideas is electric. Amazing things happen when women feel safe to be unapologetically themselves. The power that comes from having a supportive, non-judgmental community to share with, network with, and grow within is unmatched.
This passion for connection is why I co-founded Revelist™ — a space dedicated to women’s emotional wellness, creative expression, and authentic living. After 23 years in the fashion industry, I feel like I’m only just getting started.
How does SeekHer’s mission reflect the kind of world you want to see, and what message do you want to echo across generations of women?
SeekHer’s mission speaks to me on such a deep level because it ties together the two things that I believe matter most for women: equity and mental wellbeing. When women are given the tools to thrive in both, their potential becomes limitless.
To the women who are still afraid to speak up, I would say this: the only way to eliminate fear is to stop feeding it — leave it at the door. Our collective voices shape our experiences, and it’s those experiences that make life so rich and meaningful.
Community plays a huge role in how we see our opportunities and how safe we feel in sharing our truth. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, challenge you, and help chip away at that fear until it no longer holds you back.
And I’ll share the words my father gave me: “Know who you are.” When you truly know who you are — what you bring to this world, to your work, to your friendships, to your family, and to yourself — something shifts. Your perspective changes. You stand a little taller. You speak a little louder. And you realize your voice was worth hearing all along.
“When you truly know who you are — what you bring to this world, to your work, to your friendships, to your family, and to yourself, something shifts. Your perspective changes. You stand a little taller. You speak a little louder. And you realize your voice was worth hearing all along.”
About Irene
Irene Karandrikas is a creative entrepreneur, design leader, and co-founder of Revelist™, a community and lifestyle brand dedicated to supporting women’s emotional wellness in midlife and beyond. With over 23 years of experience in the fashion industry, she has built a career on fostering inclusive, collaborative spaces where women can thrive both personally and professionally. Passionate about connection, mentorship, and authentic storytelling, she is committed to helping women exist fully and unapologetically in every chapter of life.
Connect Further
IG: @irinidesign | LinkedIn: Irene Karandrikas