Podcast Summary:

Podcast: The Entrepreneurs: Eureka
Host: Tom Edwards (Monocle)
Guest: Stavros Kois, Founder of Kois Optics
Episode: How to Grow a Global Brand from a Remote Greek Island
Date: July 18, 2025

Overview

This episode of Eureka by Monocle Radio explores the inspiring journey of Stavros Kois, founder of Kois Optics, an eyewear label based on the remote Greek island of Siros. Host Tom Edwards delves into how Kois nurtured a design-driven global brand without sacrificing craftsmanship, sustainability, or the soulful heritage of his home. Listeners are taken through the evolution of Kois Optics, the deep connection between product and place, and the importance of slow fashion in today’s fast-moving market.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Founding with Heritage and Storytelling

[01:21] Stavros Kois:

• Started Kois Optics in 1985 as a family business in Siros, based in the family's neoclassical mansion.
• Emphasizes celebrating Cirrus (Siros) through quality and care while expanding globally.
• "We have never lost sight of our roots, celebrating Cirrus through quality and care."
  (Stavros Kois, 01:36)

Design Deeply Inspired by Place

[02:00] Stavros Kois:

• Designs are inspired by the geometry and textures unique to Siros.
• Each frame is meant to reflect harmony between contemporary sophistication and island heritage.
• The aim: to create eyewear "that performs and tells a story... something that holds Greece with it, that carries a sense of heritage."
• Notable Quote:
  “Our goal is to make eyewear that performs and tell a story, something a visitor or customer can take home with them to a place of beauty and history, something that holds Greece with it, that carries a sense of heritage.”
  (Stavros Kois, 02:32)

Craftsmanship, Slow Fashion, and Sustainability

[03:00] Stavros Kois:

• Products handcrafted in small workshops in Greece and Italy with trusted partners.
• The slow fashion approach: prioritizing sustainability, authenticity, and enduring quality over mass production.
• Kois underscores the value in maintaining close relationships with suppliers and artisans:
  "Our close relation with our production partners allows us to maintain high quality standards while staying true to our values, slow fashion, sustainability and authenticity."
  (Stavros Kois, 03:18)

Expanding Beyond Eyewear

[03:32] Stavros Kois:

• Kois Optics also crafts silk scarves with the same standard of quality and design focus.

The Power of Tourism and Sense of Place

[04:03] Stavros Kois:

• Largest markets: Europe and North America; growing interest from Australian and American tourists.
• Tourists often discover Kois Optics while visiting Siros:
  "Kois objects often becomes that memory. What makes us proud is that these customers return years after year, building a long term relation with the brand and by extension, with Cirrus itself."
  (Stavros Kois, 04:38)

Collaborations and Social Commitment

[05:04] Stavros Kois:

• Preparing new collections and collaborations with other creative minds.
• Notably, Kois Optics supports the push to formally recognize Hermopolis (the capital of Siros) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, allocating part of their revenue to this cause.
• Memorable Moment:
  "That's a core part of our identity, protecting and sharing the story of this unique place."
  (Stavros Kois, 05:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We have never lost sight of our roots, celebrating Cirrus through quality and care.”
  (Stavros Kois, 01:36)

• “Our goal is to make eyewear that performs and tell a story, something a visitor or customer can take home with them to a place of beauty and history, something that holds Greece with it, that carries a sense of heritage.”
  (Stavros Kois, 02:32)

• “Our close relation with our production partners allows us to maintain high quality standards while staying true to our values, slow fashion, sustainability and authenticity.”
  (Stavros Kois, 03:18)

• “Kois objects often becomes that memory. What makes us proud is that these customers return years after year, building a long term relation with the brand and by extension, with Cirrus itself.”
  (Stavros Kois, 04:38)

• “That’s a core part of our identity, protecting and sharing the story of this unique place.”
  (Stavros Kois, 05:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 01:20: Introduction and episode overview by Tom Edwards
• 01:21 – 01:55: Stavros discusses foundation and family heritage
• 02:00 – 03:18: Design philosophy and craft rooted in place
• 03:19 – 03:39: Emphasis on craftsmanship, slow fashion, and partnerships
• 03:40 – 04:20: Expansion into scarves and market reach via tourism
• 04:21 – 05:03: The deepening relationship between brand, customer, and Siros
• 05:04 – 05:29: Social commitment and heritage preservation
• 05:30 – End: Closing remarks

Summary

This episode provides a vivid portrait of how a brand’s deep connection to place, commitment to slow fashion, and focus on authentic storytelling can resonate worldwide. Stavros Kois’s narrative is both a business lesson and a love letter to Siros, reminding listeners of the power that heritage, quality, and purpose-driven commerce can have on a global stage.