Maria Polychronopoulos
She keeps the tradition of Messinia in her hands and puts all the flavors of her hometown, Kalamata in fabulous packages.
Maria Polychronopoulos, daughter of Sasha Polychronopoulos who opened a small workshop of traditional products years ago, gets SeaCrets Inspirations a step further… Where to? Through the whole world!
Interview by Konstantinos Bougas
What part in your decision to keep up the SeaCrets business had your mother Sasa Polychronopoulos, who set up a small shop in Kalamata years ago?
Significant. I incredibly admire her for her strength and the fact that she has managed successfully to combine family and professional career in different sectors. She is the one that always urged me to do things with love. Our work in progress of SeaCrets Inspirations is an additional bond for us.
What is the most frequent reaction when someone tries your products?
I would say that all reactions have a common denominator. The connection with the lost flavors, colors and smells. People feel that they find pieces of a tasty past, both Greek and pure which brings forgotten images. It is truly an honor and a pleasure to co-travel on this tasty trip with people that are choosing SeaCrets Inspirations Products. Behind these reactions there is a lot of work, love and passion to highlight these “lost flavors”. But I would emphasize that initial reaction has to do with the word play name of the brand, the sea and the secrets. We combined the blue sea with the “secrets” of Mediterranean flavors that we love!
How difficult it is for a new, promising business to make it through such a difficult economic environment as the one of Greece at the moment?
Although our country is going through a prolonged recession with a new strategy of development, we try to cope with any challenges that facing everyday a middle-class business. The example of the capital control proves how fragile is the balance for survival much less for the development of a company like ours. Nevertheless we are optimistic that in 2017 the country will be in a better position in consequence the companies which will be on the market.
Trip Advisor recently named Peloponnese as the must-visit European destination of the year, emphasizing the beauty of Messinia. How do you feel about this? Is this a good reason for more foreigners to get to know better SeaCrets’ products?
Peloponnese is magnificent! And it was about time to find out that there are more than the well known islands such as Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes etc. However, I have to mention that these islands offer for many years now high quality services to their visitors. I feel proud, but also I have the desire to become substantially better and constantly take steps forward. Making strategic moves such as farewell gifts project in cooperation with hotel managers that we started with top boutique hotels and luxurious hotels in Greece, strengthening the forwarding of quality Greek Brand Name allowing guests to have the most tasty memory with them, an inspired giftbox full of Greek flavors and sincerely the feedback is more than we expected receiving e-mails from all over the world. Believe me this is our greatest reward.
Having in mind that oil holds a leading role among your products and your origin, you ‘re an example of the “I’m from Kalamata and know from good oil”, right?
Every morning I wake up I feel gratidude. Both my studies as a clinical nutritionist and the fact that I come from Kalamata, make me feel blessed to say this every day. This is our aim, to inspire our consumers both in Greece and abroad to live a healthier life by adopting the best ingredients of hellenic food culture in their daily lives.
For more information visit: www.seacrets.gr
www.facebook.com/SeaCretsInspirations