ECOS to expand to Greece

When Van Vlachakis arrived in the USA in the 1950’s, with $22 in his pocket. He didn’t know the language, and initially lived in homeless shelters, but ended up going to Roosevelt University and studied Chemistry because of his fascination with all the Greek-root words! He worked as a chemist for other companies for many years… got laid off in ‘66, used his severance money and started off as a one man show mixing chemicals in the garage! Now his company has over 300 employees and worldwide distribution.

Van Vlachakis, from Chania, was the founder of Earth Friendly Products. The first facility opened in Illinois and has since become Corporate Headquarters. In 1989, Venus Labs went Green with the help scion John Vlachakis, Kelly's briother, an avid environmentalist, bringing something new to the table and steering the company to a more environmentally responsible direction. Since then they have opened four other locations in NJ, FL, CA, and most recently WA. in order to reduce their carbon footprint, by never having to ship across country, reducing costs, and passing that savings onto customers. That approach has been responsible for making Earth Friendly Products the lowest priced green cleaning products on the market and the number one selling green laundry product in the world.

Van Vlachakis, a few months before his death, had announced that he would be building a plant in Greece. Today, his heir stated that she would be keeping her father's promise. As she told Ethnos newspaper: “My father has told the newspaper last year that there would be no salary under 1500 euros. I intend to keep his word. He maintained that a well paid employee is more productive … At this moment the lowest wage in the US is $8 an hour, and we pay $17."

The firm's products are on the Greek market under the Ecos label. As its founder wished, Greece is to become the hub of operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Ms Vlachakis will be coming to Greece to scope out possible sites near the capital, in Koropi, or Viotia.

Ms Vlachakis took a UCLA honors program in college, in communication studies and history. Putting that training to good use she got her first job out of college as PR director for Bluepoint, a company based in Athens (the swimwear provider for the Athens Olympics in 2004), traveling back and forth between L.A. and Greece, handling their international media campaigns. She's also worked for the Brown & Dutch public relations agency in Malibu, as well as the Trump Organization handling publicity for the Miss Universe pageant. Finally, she became the Executive Director for the American Hellenic Council from 2001 to 2003 where she learned valuable experience in the political arena for topics pertaining both to Greece as well as the United States.

After spending years distinguishing herself in the communications field for several high profile companies, Kelly began working full time at Earth Friendly Products as the Director of Media Relations in 2003. Seven years later, she was named Vice President of the entire company. Her responsibilities involve all areas of the business, from sales and marketing to new product development and manufacturing. Kelly has always been in awe of her father, who started his business from scratch. She learned by observing the shining examples provided by both her parents. From their strength, wisdom and perseverance in the face of adversity, Kelly learned to believe in herself, trust in her judgment and never give up on her dream and the dream of her family.

Since joining Earth Friendly Products, the company has quadrupled in size, finally penetrating mainstream stores like Sam’s Club, Costco, Smart & Final, Ralph’s, Whole Foods, and Mother’s Market, to name a few… and as of this August 2010 Wal-mart as well! In the United States, ECOS is the number one green laundry detergent. We also supply to Canada, from our West, Midwest and Eastern regions.

As for Van Vlahakis, his life was the epitome of the “American Dream”. His story, which is not just about transforming his life but also the lives of the ones around him, became the basis for a motion picture titled “A Green Story”. The 2013 feature film has a cast that includes Malcolm McDowell as a villain who tries to force Vlahakis to sell his company.