Meet Diamantis Pierrakos

We were lucky to catch up with Diamantis Pierrakos recently and have shared our conversation below.

Diamantis, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

How did we discover our purpose?

Nestled along the sunny southern coast of the Peloponnese, with clear views of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea stretching endlessly between two majestic mountain ranges, our family’s olive groves thrive, deeply rooted in tradition and whispering stories passed down through generations. Growing up amidst these silvery trees, we walked alongside our father, who instilled in us the profound belief that each olive branch carries the dreams and sacrifices of our ancestors.

Our purpose began to take shape in the autumn of 2008, during our annual harvest. That season, our father expressed a heartfelt concern, the weight of decades of dedication was becoming difficult due to old age, and he worried about us and the future of our cherished groves. Contemplating selling the land to relieve us of any burden, given our emerging careers in the United States, he unknowingly ignited our resolve.

We soon realized that if our heritage and legacy were to endure, it would fall to us, my brother and I, to carry forward. Embracing this responsibility passionately, we committed ourselves to preserving and renewing our family traditions. Innovation and adaptability became crucial as we faced economic challenges, unpredictable weather, and fluctuating market conditions. Each obstacle became a test of our resilience, courage, and patience, offering valuable lessons in integrity and empathy for those who rely on our olive oil.

When we lost our father in the middle of our harvest in 2016, our journey reached a pivotal moment. His passing wasn’t merely a profound personal loss—it compelled us to reflect deeply, asking, “How can we honor his legacy while forging our own path?” Although our purpose wasn’t immediately clear, the seeds he had planted flourished within us.

Dedicated to mastering the craft of olive oil production, we respected traditional techniques while integrating modern practices, significantly enhancing the quality and authenticity of our products. This undertaking was never about business, it was all about preserving our legacy. We discovered our purpose in bridging our family’s rich heritage with each person who tastes our olive oil, creating genuine, heartfelt experiences.

With perseverance and brotherly unity, we overcame countless hurdles. Today, every bottle of Laconiko Olive Oil symbolizes and reflects our family’s story, our values, traditions.

So, how did we find our purpose? By staying true to our roots, confronting challenges with determination, and nurturing the core values that enrich life—family, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Our story is rooted deeply in our family heritage, passion, and dedication to producing exceptional olive oils. Laconiko was founded by brothers and producers Diamantis(me) and Dino Pierrakos, Laconiko represents more than just a business, it’s a continuation of our family’s legacy and our commitment to authenticity, quality, and sustainability.

We specialize in producing the absolute best extra virgin olive oils that we possibly can, sourced directly from our family-owned olive groves in the Southern Coast line of the Peloponnese, in Greece . What excites us most is our ability to connect people to the genuine, robust flavors of our extra virgin olive oils crafted with meticulous care. Each bottle of Laconiko olive oil reflects the essence of our values, traditions and culinary excellence.

What sets Laconiko apart is our unwavering commitment to purity and quality. We oversee every step of the production process, ensuring our olive oils meet the highest standards of freshness, taste, and nutritional value. Our dedication has been recognized internationally in the largest and most prestigious competitions in the world. Our extra virgin olive oil is the MOST consistently awarded and recognized olive oil on the index of the world’s best olive oils, the WORLD OLIVE OIL RANKING, for 11 consecutive years.

Currently, we’re excited to announce our expansion into innovative fused and infused olive oils, bringing exciting new flavor profiles directly to our customers. Additionally, we offer tastings, workshops, and culinary events at our showroom in Virginia, which allows us to share our passion and educate the public on the remarkable benefits and uses of high-quality olive oil.

At our core, Laconiko isn’t simply about producing olive oil; it’s about sharing a piece of our heritage and nurturing a community that appreciates the authenticity, love, and care we put into every bottle.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Reflecting on our journey, the following three qualities and skills have proven most impactful:

Our adaptability
Throughout our experiences, the ability to quickly adapt to unexpected challenges or shifting circumstances has consistently stood out. Markets, customer preferences, technology, and even global events can shift rapidly. Being able to pivot effectively ensures resilience and continuous growth. My advise for someone early in their journey is to cultivate adaptability by seeking experiences outside your comfort zone and approach change as an opportunity to learn.

Communication
Communication has been critical for building our relationships with partners and customers. We do not always have all the answers, but you will be surprised what you can learn from customers and their feedback.
I advise someone in the early journey of their career to practice active listening intentionally, be open to constructive feedback, and consistently place yourself in others’ perspectives.

Finally, Deep Knowledge and Passion for Your Product or Field
In-depth knowledge, coupled with genuine passion for my product and industry, has always given me an edge. It fuels credibility, inspires trust, and fosters genuine enthusiasm that others notice and respond positively to.
My Advice would be to absolutely LOVE what you do, and it will lead you to new discoveries.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I strongly believe it’s far more impactful to go all-in on your strengths rather than investing significant effort in areas where you’re weaker. While there’s value in addressing certain weaknesses, becoming exceptional in one core area typically yields greater rewards and satisfaction than achieving mediocrity across multiple areas. By doubling down on your strengths, you position yourself uniquely, creating expertise and mastery that distinguishes you from others. This focused approach often leads to higher levels of achievement, recognition, and opportunities, as people seek specialists who excel exceptionally in their fields.

Our own experience with Laconiko Olive Oil underscores this principle. Instead of diversifying too broadly into unrelated product categories, we’ve poured our resources and passion into perfecting our premium olive oils and crafted infusions. This specialization has allowed us to build a strong brand reputation, attract loyal customers who appreciate quality, and earn numerous awards recognizing our commitment to excellence. Had we diluted our efforts, chasing multiple unrelated opportunities, we likely would have ended up average in many areas rather than outstanding in one.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laconiko.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laconiko/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Laconiko