Fotios Tsironis (FoTsi) 1908- 1999: He was born in Alestena village of Kalavrita in 1908. His father died when he was a child, so, he had to leave school and work to support his family, his mother and two sisters. Initially, he worked in a small market shop in Patra and later in Athens. With his first savings, he bought a used motorbike with a basket and started wandering in the picturesque neighbourhoods in Athens selling groceries. He dreamed of his own store. His dream came true in 1930 when he opened his first shop in Agiou Dimitriou street, in Psiri. He started his business by selling babyfoods and later, expanded on the import of spices. The first traditional packaging of spices appeared in Greek market. However, he had to stop his business for a while to join the army during the war and the after-war period, when Greece was kept under the Nazis. But this difficult situation and the poverty of the after-war period did not stop him. He continued fighting for his dreams with great strength and devotion. His business “FOTSI PURE SPICES” was established. In 1950 he got married to our grandmother, Marina Papaleftheri, who always inspired and supported him. At the same time he managed to “conquer” Greek market when he organized his packaging department with 30 employees and a fleet of vehicles and shop assistants, who covered the entire Greece down to the smallest village. Fotios Tsironis is the man who had all the values of a moral, compassionate and honest person together with his business skills and hardworking nature. He established his own business although he had no means and was extremely poor and enriched it with his hard work. He was loyal to his values….. and his collaborators….. When he was an old man, I remember him sitting on a chair and talking with our clients delighted with what he managed to create and proud of his family and employees…this is something I will never forget.
Elias G. Bertsatos In 1977, Elias G. Bertsatos, (the husband of Fotios Tsironis’ daughter and my father) inherited the business. He graduated in Business from the Athens University of Economics and Business and worked with his father-in law for more than twenty years. Having valuable scientific qualifications and high level professional experience, he increased the profits by modernizing the business with new packages and products in additional with new grinders and packaging machines. A historical moment for the business was the acquisition of the building in 39 Euripidou Street and the transfer of business seats in 1987. Elias Bertsatos had been the president of the association of the Merchants of Spices of Athens (A.S.S.M.A.) for many years. He was distinguished for his honesty and equalizing role… Since 2013, that I have inherited the business, he stands by me and has been the most valuable consultant and guiding figure in my efforts and initiatives. The most precious father and mentor, a real life example.
GEORGE E. BERTSATOS TODAY…. “FOTSI SPICES” has been inherited by the third generation of successors…. Since 1930 many things have changed… and many more will also change… But I can assure you that two things will never change….. The pure quality of our products and our ethos that will never be defeated by money!
