Daphne Contraros Rioux, Founder

Daphne Rioux was born in Greece and moved to the US when she was six years old. She grew up in Saco, Maine, and graduated from Thornton Academy in 1968. She then attended the University of Southern Maine, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1972. She taught at the elementary level for seven years and decided to leave teaching upon the birth of her first child. For a five year period she was a stay at home mom and raised her three children. Daphne’s entrepreneurial spirit surfaced at 25 years of age when she and her husband bought and renovated their first apartment building. Their real estate ventures expanded to the operation of an oceanfront motel, now in its twenty-forth year. In 1998, she started a seasonal lobster pound business for her three teenage children, which operated through the summer of 2004. The idea for her olive oil business developed in 2005, and since then she has concentrated much of her efforts to this pursuit. Daphne is responsible for Lakonía’s operations in Greece. She makes frequent trips to oversee the cultivation and harvest of the olive groves and the importation of the products to the United States. She is also a vital part of public relations and product promotion, including farmer’s markets, trade shows, and cooking demonstrations. She is delighted to have her daughter by her side as they continue to grow the business.

 

Melissa Rioux, President.

Melissa Rioux grew up in Biddeford, Maine and graduated from high school in 2000. While growing up she attended Greek school for six years, learning to read and write the Greek language and absorbing Greek culture. In 2000 she attended Northeastern University to study communications and was on the school’s division I track team. In 2002 she transferred to San Diego State University and majored in business management. While attending SDSU, she began developing the business ideas for Lakonía. Melissa and her friend, Julie Kramer, a graphic design major at SDSU, began working on product presentation creating labels and packaging. Melissa graduated in May of 2007 with honors and a bachelor’s degree in business management. She moved back to Maine two months later to join forces with her mother. Melissa is currently involved in every facet of Lakonía. Like many small business managers, she is required to assume multiple roles in the everyday operations. Some of her responsibilities include accounting, marketing, sales, and employee supervision. She is also in charge of product development, account management and distribution. Melissa is the company representative at trade shows, and other business functions. She travels with her mother frequently to Greece to learn about olive cultivation and participate with the harvest. She is fluent in Greek. She is thankful to her mother for giving her the opportunity to be such a key player in this family business.

 

 

Michael Rioux, Vice President.

Andrew Vakas, Manager of Operations.

Emily Wark, Farmers' Market Representative

Christos: In charge of harvest and exporting goods.

Taki: Assists in the cultivation of our olive groves.