{"id":28576,"date":"2023-07-28T12:59:16","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T09:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisegreece.com\/?p=28576"},"modified":"2025-08-04T16:54:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T13:54:01","slug":"meet-argyro-koutsouradi-from-myrovolos-organics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wisegreece.com\/en\/blog-en\/meet-argyro-koutsouradi-from-myrovolos-organics\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Argyro Koutsouradi from Myrovolos Organics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tell us a few words about yourself. How did you get started? What inspired you to work in the food sector?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was born on the island of Chios on February 6th, 1992. In 2010, I was admitted to the Democritus University of Thrace, at the School of Agricultural Sciences, in the Department of Rural Development. It was through my studies there that I found the spark for my future path.<\/p>\n

Tell us about your raw materials.<\/strong><\/p>\n

All our raw materials are self-produced. We cultivate 15 types of aromatic plants and herbs, including oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavender, chamomile, lemon verbena, lemon balm, pennyroyal, dittany, mountain tea, bay leaves, sage, spearmint, rock samphire, and capers.<\/p>\n

In early 2015, through the European Erasmus Program in Lille, France (Universit\u00e9 Lille-II), I conducted a research project titled \u201cCan mint extract help reduce juvenile diabetes levels?\u201d<\/em> which took place at Albert Calmette Hospital in the virology lab.<\/p>\n

Later in 2015, I was admitted to the Agricultural University of Athens for my postgraduate studies in the Department of Crop Science, specializing in Agriculture, Plant Breeding, and Agronomic Experimentation.<\/p>\n

Tell us about your brand. What does it represent? What was your goal in creating it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My love for the land of Chios, my desire to protect nature and its plants, and my need to create something meaningful in my hometown led to the founding of Myrovolos Organics.<\/p>\n

The brand\u2019s name, Myrovolos<\/em>, is inspired by the rich and enchanting aromas of the Chian soil.<\/p>\n

Myrovolos Organics was founded in October 2015 and operates as a family-run business (cottage industry), focusing on aromatic plants and herbs.<\/p>\n

We are based in the village of Chalkios, 7 km from the center of Chios, in the region of Kamposhoria. Our activities include everything from seed planting and cultivation to hand-harvesting\u2014leaf by leaf. From collection to drying (preserving all active compounds), and finally to packaging.<\/p>\n

Each of our certified organic herbs reflects the unique aromas of Chios. We started with 10 acres, then expanded to 24, and now cultivate around 40 acres. All our plants come from organically certified nurseries, and our company adheres to organic farming principles at every stage of production (Certified by DIO).<\/p>\n

How did you start out? What challenges did you face?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Neither my parents nor my family had any background in the agricultural sector. We began slowly, using 10 acres inherited from my grandparents and started cultivating 8 types of herbs.<\/p>\n

The challenges were many\u2014especially in the beginning. The biggest obstacle was financing. When we launched our business in 2015, capital controls were in place in Greece. We approached financial institutions to request a small liquidity loan, but as a newly established company with zero profit, we were denied funding.<\/p>\n

Another ongoing issue is networking. Often, we rely on outdated directories to search for potential clients\u2014a time-consuming and inefficient process. If there were an organized platform listing potential buyers, it would be a huge help.<\/p>\n\n\t\t