I was born in 1972 to Greek immigrant parents in Atlanta, Ga. Growing up as a young kid with English being my second language, I always had to work harder than other kids to get an education. At age 8, living in Brooklyn, N.Y., I helped the postal carrier deliver mail to the neighborhood for 50 cents a day. At age 15, before I could drive, I started a candy business at my high school, earning as much as $25 per day selling blow pops. After graduating from Georgia State University in 1994 and receiving dozens of rejections from prospective employers, I embarked on my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. As a young 22-year-old with no money, I borrowed my mother’s credit card to buy office equipment and software, and launched my accounting business from the basement of my family home, founding what is known today as Poulos Accounting & Consulting, Inc.
I received my bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Real Estate from Georgia State University, a place I am still very much involved in. In addition to being featured in the inaugural alumni newsletter, I have served as a mentor for the Georgia State University Robinson College of Business Honors Program and as a Board of Director for Georgia State University School of Accountancy.