Meet Louis Papadakis

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Louis Papadakis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Louis , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I didn’t set out to become a children’s book author. It all started late at night, in the quiet moments before sleep, reading bedtime stories to my stepson. At first, it was just a way to settle him down — but something unexpected happened. Those stories became a bridge in our relationship. We laughed together, asked questions, made voices, paused on pages. I watched his imagination spark to life, and in those moments, our bond grew deeper. I wasn’t just reading to him — I was connecting with him in a way I didn’t know we both needed. Through the power of storytelling I got the child I never had, and he got the father we always wanted.

Those nights, I realized something. I didn’t want to just read these stories — I wanted to create them. I wanted to give other families what those stories had given us: connection, joy, and a doorway into wonder. In addition I’d forgotten I even had a talent for art, buried beneath the busy years. But through this experience, I found a way to bring it back — not just for me, but for the kids and parents who turn pages together each night. My books are for them — for the bedtime giggles, the quiet cuddles, and the lifelong memories sparked by a simple story.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Professionally, my life’s a mix of creativity, problem-solving, and a bit of beautiful chaos. My wife and I run a logistics company here in Illinois, which keeps us on our toes and teaches us something new every day. It’s a fast-moving business that demands resourcefulness, resilience, and a good sense of humor — which, funny enough, is exactly what I pour into my children’s books.

By nature, I’m very creative and an inventive. I’ve got multiple patent-pending ideas and projects in motion — some practical, some playful — and I’m constantly chasing the next “what if?” Whether I’m sketching out a product or brainstorming a story idea, creativity is the thread that ties it all together. My children’s books are inspired by the real-life shenanigans of running a business, managing a team, being a stepdad, and navigating the unpredictable adventure of family life. I use humor to deliver important life lessons — about grit, problem-solving, and bouncing back — because I believe kids need to laugh while they learn. Right now, I’m expanding the book series and preparing to launch some new projects that blend whimsical kids book characters with life values of resilience and resourcefulness. It’s an exciting season, and I’m just getting started.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three things have made the biggest impact on my journey — and none of them came easy.

First, daring to dream big and learning to believe in myself, even when that voice in my head told me I wasn’t good enough. “Imposter syndrome” and self doubt is real, and it never fully disappears. But I’ve learned this: if you don’t yet have the confidence to chase something big, surround yourself with people who do. Borrow their belief in you until it becomes your own. Find your tribe, your circle, your lifters. Their energy is contagious — let it fuel you.

Second, patience. Real, deep, uncomfortable, grind-it-out patience. Whatever you think your dream will take, multiply that by ten. Success has a long horizon, and staying laser-focused for years — not weeks — is the only way I’ve seen things truly work. I still wrestle with this every day. But the longer I stay in the game, the more I realize that momentum belongs to the ones who keep showing up.

Third — and maybe the most important — choosing the right partner. My wife is my co-architect in life. When two people are aligned, pulling in the same direction with the same heart — not even the devil can mess with that. Our shared vision, trust, and constant back-and-forth push is what makes everything I do move forward.

If you’re just getting started, my advice is this: Don’t wait to feel ready. Don’t wait for permission. Do it unready. Do it imperfect. “Do the thing and you will get the energy and confidence to do the thing.” It’s it the other way around! Does that make sense???? Get around the right people, stay in it longer until it feels comfortable, and link arms with someone who believes in the dream as much as you do. You’ve got more in you than you know.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

Gosh, There are so many good resources out there that I read and download on audiobooks these days. I’ll give you 2 books: One is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. What sticks out for me in his teaching is that Small habits, repeated consistently, lead to massive results over time.

The books main message is that you don’t rise to the level of your goals — you fall to the level of your systems. By focusing on tiny, manageable changes and building better systems, you can transform your identity and behavior in lasting ways. The real power lies not in big overnight changes, but in small, daily actions that compound over time — like interest in a savings account.
Another great book is by a fellow Greek who I consider a mentor, called: “The Gift” by Stefanos Xenakis. It emphasizes to appreciate the small moments — they are the real treasures of life.

The book mentions that happiness isn’t just found in big achievements or future plans only , but in everyday: a smile, a kind word, a morning coffee, a quiet sunset. Life becomes meaningful when we slow down, become present, and learn to see the magic in what we often overlook. That shift in perspective — from chasing more to appreciating more is what he calls the true “gift.” of life.

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