In Europe, youth entrepreneurship remains a paradox: high aspiration, low activation.
In 2022, just 7% of Europeans aged 20–29 were self-employed, half the rate of the working-age population as a whole. Though 39% of youth (15–30) say they prefer self-employment to traditional work, only about 5% are actively working on a start-up, (nascent entrepreneurship), and 4% run a business under 42 months old, bringing the EU’s total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) for 18–30-year-olds to 9% (GEM 2018–2022).
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Nearly three in four young would-be founders, 73%, identify access to finance as their primary obstacle to getting their business idea off the ground, while fewer than half feel they have the practical skills to navigate even the earliest stages of startup life. Another factor, that is the fear of failure, is also on the rise, affecting 49% of potential entrepreneurs globally (GEM 2024), slamming the brake on potential.
The Cyprus story is a little more nuanced, though. The island’s youth early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) for ages 18–30 stands at 9%, above the EU average of 7%—but hides the divergence among 18–44-year-olds, where TEA reaches 12.4%, suggesting a concentrated burst of early initiative.
More significantly, Cypriot youth report markedly higher confidence: 22% expect to start a business in the next three years (versus the EU’s 12–12%), and over 50% believe they have the skills to do so (compared with 40–42% across the bloc). Notably, only 7% of young entrepreneurs building on the island are driven by necessity. Less than half the EU average of 18%, suggesting instead an uptick of opportunity-led, ambition-driven ventures.
Aspiration alone won’t scale, unfortunately. With an estimated 1,000–2,000 young self-employed individuals across a 1.2-million population, structural gaps continue to limit both appetite and opportunity for scaling. Funding, while available through schemes like MECI’s Youth and Women Entrepreneurship (up to €120,000 for under-30s) and RIF’s Future Founders Academy, funds are unevenly distributed. Mentorship is few and far between. Culturally, entrepreneurship is still often read as deviation, not direction, and not encouraged.
Which is why what’s unfolding at ground level demands attention.
Across the island, a new generation of founders is stepping forward. They are not waiting for perfect conditions and are not relying on safety nets. They are bootstrapping in a high-cost, low-subsidy environment. They are building across the full spectrum of the island’s commercial fabric, from agile marketing studios and reimagining food and beverage for local and global palates, to opening unique retail concepts, and developing tech tools.
This Future Media Young Entrepreneurs Take The Spotlight series turns the lens toward those who are rewriting the script, not with venture capital backing or inherited advantage, but with inspiring determination, iterative creativity, and the kind of relentless hard work that transforms side hustles into scalable businesses.
Because the question isn’t whether youth entrepreneurship in Cyprus can scale.
But what happens when the ecosystem finally meets them where they stand?
This interview features Margarita Orlova (IG, TikTok), the 25-year-old lifestyle content creator and influencer based in Cyprus. Originally from Latvia, Orlova grew up in Barcelona, Spain. She describes her business as “essentially built around storytelling.” Whether exploring the island, finding unique spots and experiences, and translating them into vlogs and content that feels honest, easy to connect with, and inspiring for people to share in her love for this place she now calls home.
1. What made you decide to start a business in Cyprus?
Honestly? Boredom. Then curiosity. Then a strong sense of wanting to be helpful.
When I moved to Cyprus five years ago, I had zero idea what to do here. No friends, no go-to cafes, no idea where like-minded people hang out, and no real source showing what was happening around the island. Back then, this kind of information wasn’t really visible or accessible.
Instead of waiting for someone to show me around, I decided to explore Cyprus through my own eyes, very raw and unfiltered. The first place I ever shared was a small vintage shop I randomly discovered. I posted about it, and it unexpectedly went viral. What surprised me most was that even locals didn’t know it existed. That was my “aha” moment. I realised people were just like me, constantly searching for new places and experiences.
That curiosity turned into a business. Today, I’ve built something that fulfils my community by giving them ideas and inspiration, fulfils my clients by helping them get discovered naturally, and fulfils me by being the bridge between the two.
I’m a true Lefkosiadissa (not by blood, but by soul). In terms of my work basis, I don’t really believe in operating from just one city. Cool stories exist everywhere. Cyprus is incredibly diverse, and I love being the bridge between those hidden gems and my community.
I see myself as a voice for modern Cyprus. The one that shows the island is full of soulful restaurants, niche events, artistic people, cultural heritage, and truly unique creative energy.
2. What have been the toughest parts of building and running your business here, and how have you dealt with those challenges so far?
The toughest part was that there was no roadmap.
Think about it. If you want to be a doctor, you study. If you want to cook Pastitsio, you Google the recipe. Want to understand psychology? You pick up a book. But there’s no guide, course, or institution for how to be an influencer or a content creator.
Even though I have an education and a strong background in fashion marketing & communications, I was still completely clueless about what being an influencer truly entails or how the business side works. So I just adopted a “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out” mindset. I mean, if this Forbes interview isn’t proof that it works, I don’t know what is.
What I’ve learned along the way is that being an influencer looks a lot more glamorous online than it actually is. I had to build a whole skill set from scratch: networking, business administration, personal branding, public relations, SMM, team management, and so much more, all while making it look effortless online.
What really helped was just trusting the process and talking to like-minded people. Sharing struggles and learning from others really helped me find solutions. Today, I have a clear business model, proven workflows, and a small team of editors and collaborators who help bring my vision to life. And honestly, it all happened naturally; overcoming that initial chaos made the business stronger and much more fun along the way.
3. On the days when it feels hard to keep going, what keeps you moving, what really fuels your hustle?
When it gets tough, I just think about the people I’ve helped. Last year, I did over 100 collaborations (that’s roughly one every three or four days), and the gratitude messages I get from my audience and clients? It can hit me right in the feels. I’ve also worked on 12 projects with the government and tourism boards to showcase Cyprus to the world. Feeling that kind of impact… how can I ever stop, you know?
The most exciting part is that Cyprus is only getting bigger. More people are talking about it, more businesses are opening, and more visitors are coming. At this point, it feels like a spiritual duty to keep showing the world what Cyprus truly has to offer.
4. No one builds alone. Who or what has been part of your support system?
One of the people who’s made a real difference in my journey is my friend and business buddy @cypruseats, the biggest foodie account in Cyprus. From the start, we shared similar values: curiosity, a near-manic obsession with creating valuable content (as well as eating, obviously), and a genuine desire to help each other grow. Sometimes that support came in practical ways, like helping with film content or brainstorming ideas. Other times it’s been emotional, just having someone to listen and share struggles with, which goes both ways, has been invaluable.
I am also very grateful for my family, partner, and close friends. I’ve always been selective about who I let into my world. I try surrounding myself with people who are patient, understanding, who also have a big vision, and who believe in me even more than I do… that’s a rare gift. Honestly, some days I can’t help but get teary just thinking about how much that love and belief have carried me forward. Not everyone gets to have that, and I feel incredibly lucky.
5. What advice would you give to another young entrepreneur in Cyprus who wants to start something of their own but is hesitating?
Redefine failure as learning, and redefine “cringe” as a sign of your unique vision or freedom of expression. Cyprus is a small community where everyone knows everyone. That can feel intimidating at first, but I see it as a blessing. Use it to your advantage, whatever business you decide to start.
Your time, energy, and clear vision are your most valuable assets, no matter your stage of business.
Every day you hesitate is a day you could be building something incredible. Start now, experiment, learn, and trust yourself, and I promise, the rest will follow.
