Elias Kokkinos: Our plans are to take Smoothie Factory to all cities and neighbouring countries

Elias Kokkinos, Managing Director of Smoothie Factory, identified a gap in the market for a healthy and tasty juice/smoothie bar and despite being in the midst of the pandemic, he went after his goal and managed to open it in 2020. Fast forward four years and the Smoothie Factory has become a leader in its industry.

Kokkinos , who is also the Managing Director of EKCO Maximum Power which offers electric vehicle charging solutions, recounts the story behind setting up the businesses and shared his tips to become a young entrepreneur, in an interview with IN Business magazine for its September issue.

Tell us about the philosophy behind your business. How are you connected to your field of activity and how was the idea born to launch the business?

Although I had no prior experience in the catering industry, I always found it interesting. After a few years abroad – studying and working in London – I decided to return to Cyprus where I identified, as a restless spirit with a passion for young entrepreneurship, an important gap in the market for a new concept in the form of a Healthy and Tasty Juice/Smoothies Bar; that is, a concept to promote the "Healthier Side of Life". And so I made the decision to bring this innovative concept to the local market directly from America through a Master Franchise agreement with Smoothie Factory USA.

From the beginning I had adopted the philosophy of "think global, act local", believing that this approach would ensure the success of the business in the local market.

Despite the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, we launched the Smoothie Factory in the summer of 2020 and I think we succeeded. The Smoothie Factory has been loved as the subversive culinary proposition that combines healthy eating with lifestyle, all in the spirit of the "Healthier Side Of Life".

How easy was it to evolve that idea into the business you've built today? What are the main challenges you faced, also considering the fact that you are a self-made entrepreneur and started at a young age?

Evolving the idea into a business was not an easy task, but with passion, dedication, proper mentoring, especially from my own father, and the right team, I was able to bring Smoothie Factory to the right place. Our creative culinary touches, accompanied by our passion for what we do, always with a smile and love, found the response we expected from the market.

Even though I started at a young age, I faced many challenges. The lack of experience in the field and the need to acquire knowledge and skills were important obstacles that we overcame with persistence and a lot of effort. At the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic brought additional difficulties, requiring flexibility and adaptability to overcome challenges and grow.

What made your venture a success? Tell us about your competitive advantage.

The success of our venture can be attributed to several factors. First of all, a deep understanding of the needs and preferences of the local market has allowed us to create products that truly meet the expectations of our consumers. The key to our success lies in our customer-centric approach and understanding of market trends and, above all, our respect for consumers and the constant renewal and adaptation of our proposals with a creative and culinary modern menu that we ensure constantly exceeds our customers' expectations. However, we always remain faithful to our fundamental principles for the quality and freshness of our raw materials, the right balance between delicious and healthy options that meet modern culinary trends and, above all, respect for customer service. Our commitment to quality is non-negotiable.

How did the investment with EKCO Maximum come about? What are its activities?

The investment in EKCO Maximum Power came from the joint decision of me and my friend and business partner, Charalambos Onoufrios, to try something completely new. This choice was a strategic move to expand our business activity in the field of services and integrated electric vehicle charging solutions by providing integrated solutions that compete in quality and innovation, enhancing the development of electric mobility. We are proud that through hard work and professionalism we managed to be the leading company in the field but, above all, for our recognition in the market for our quality services.

What has your experience as a self-made entrepreneur taught you? Have you achieved everything you wanted? Would you advise someone to follow your example?

My experience as a self-made entrepreneur has taught me the value of determination and persistence. At the same time, it has confirmed what my father always tells me: hard work, a smile, professionalism with morals and values ​​are the recipe for success. Starting and growing a business requires hard work and the ability to overcome challenges by focusing on the goal. I learned that failure provides valuable lessons for future success and how you deal with each setback determines how high you can go.

Flexibility and adaptability are also key. The market is constantly changing and the ability to find creative solutions is key to long-term success. Entrepreneurship is a continuous process of evolution. It is a journey with intermediate goals and stops. The pleasure is in the journey and it is a team sport. There are always new goals and peaks to conquer but you have to conquer them while always ensuring that your team is with you and they share the victories as well as the difficulties. Otherwise, you can reach the top - maybe the wrong top - and discover the misery of loneliness.

I would advise anyone interested in taking the path of youth entrepreneurship to do so only if they are passionate about their idea and ready to face the difficulties of entrepreneurship. Success requires courage, commitment and resilience, but the moral rewards are extremely rewarding. The key is a clear vision, a willingness to learn and adapt, and the support of mentors and a strong team.

What are your goals for the future?

For the future, my goals are focused on strategic growth and innovation by expanding my business activities into new markets and exploring new opportunities. Our plans are to take Smoothie Factory to all cities and neighbouring countries that are not currently covered. As for EKCO Maximum Power, we will vigorously continue our expansion outside Cyprus as well. In other words: keep learning, keep innovating, keep growing!

What do you consider your company’s greatest achievement so far?

Smoothie Factory's greatest achievement is the recognition and trust of its customers. During our four years of operation, we have managed to establish ourselves as a leading force in the specialised Juice/Brunch bar catering sector.

Our continuous expansion and recognition through awards such as the InBusiness Award 2023 confirm the love of our customers and the success of our business model. We are proud of our progress to date and will continue to create.

Furthermore, EKCO Maximum Power has been listed in the Deloitte (Middle East & Cyprus) 2024 Technology Fast 50 companies, an honourable recognition that confirms our dynamic and correct course.

(This article was published in Greek in the September issue of IN Business magazine. To view it click here )