From inception up until the setting up process, how did you start your business?

There is a constant appetite in the community for new and healthy products, and through market research we noticed that there was a void in the industry for good quality “Greek style yoghurt”, so we took it upon ourselves to establish a market for it.

With hard work, long hours, family sacrifices and sheer determination, we set up a small factory to produce and supply yoghurt to customers.

We then quickly established that with the successful introduction of our yoghurt into the market. There was also demand for other products, so with the same method we expanded our lines.

To our great excitement, in the space of 18 months we moved into a factory quadruple the size, and have reached the stage that we are at now.

Did your Greek Australian background help you or impede you during your early days?

Coming from a Greek background definitely helped us, not only knowing to speak and communicate with our Greek customer base but also benefiting from our Greek upbringing experiences.

Apart from having a ‘nose’ for good quality food stemming from our heritage, we have been brought up with strong work ethics in our families, due largely to the fact that both families have been involved in businesses for over thirty years and ,therefore, these ethics have been moulded into us.

What would you say stands out as the comparative advantage of your business over the competition?

In these tough economic times, the only way of recession- proofing your business is to supply products that are exclusive to you, and that your competitor doesn’t have, and fortunately for us we have a number of products that are exclusive to our company.

For example, we carry a yoghurt which is suitable for diabetics, and we have a unique organic yoghurt which differs to other types and we distribute nationally New Zealand’s natural ice cream.

These are just a few examples in our range, and of course the most important advantage is the service we provide which is sometimes above and beyond.

How is business currently?

Thankfully business is doing well. We are currently improving on a weekly basis.

In 18 months we have  moved into a larger factory and are shortly opening a retail outlet where the general public can directly purchase various food products.

What is your vision for the future of your business?

Our goal is to continue expanding in every aspect of the business and to provide a good and reliable service to our customers and the community.

Do you have any tips for young entrepreneurs?

It is important to remember that success doesn’t come instantly; it needs time, Making calculated decisions and seeking professional advice always steers you in the right direction and, of course, the more you put into the business (time and effort), hopefully the more rewarding it will become.