For Women’s History Month this year I interviewed inspirational women, each with tremendous depth and a unique story to tell. With me today is avid traveler and entrepreneur Ariana Frangos, founder of Adelphi Development and sustainable woman-owned company, Baio-Bar, launching later this month. She talks about risk-taking, upholding a positive mindset towards money, and remembering to “stop and smell the roses” in her fast-paced world.
In Conversation with Ariana Frangos
Laura Wheatley: You have quite the transient lifestyle, constantly hopping around the world for both work and pleasure. What are some of your must-haves while traveling?
Ariana Frangos: A drink! I don’t actually like flying and that helps to settle my nerves. Also, podcasts.
LW: [Laughs] Well, then! Any podcasts in particular?
AF: The History Chicks. I’m drawn to stories about great women throughout history.
LW: Who’s your favorite?
AF: Queen Elizabeth I. She was highly accepting of many different people. In a man’s world she ruled well, didn’t take any shit, and England was prosperous during her reign.
LW: For sure. So, as far as heritage goes, you have a fair amount of Greek in you. Is there a lot you identify with that culture?
AF: [Laughs] We were definitely the weird little Greek family when I was growing up. My mother’s side is from Athens and my dad’s actually comes from the island of Chios, which is known for their mastiha trees. I’m proud to be Greek and there’s a lot that I love about our history and my family. However, there’s also a certain mentality I don’t agree with – that it’s a man’s world, and women should stay in the kitchen, pop out babies, and that’s just what you do. Obviously not.
LW: Right. You’re living proof that women can accomplish whatever they set their mind to. Besides managing customer development within the technical food industry you are also involved in a couple other ventures – one of them a real estate development company that you run with your sister. Tell me more!
AF: Adelphi Development undertakes the renovations of historic properties, bringing them back to life. I basically find the investors and initiate the finding, purchasing, and closing of the house. Irene is the project manager who deals with the contractors to keep them moving as well as day-to-day operations. Once finished, we use a real estate agency to sell the house and tell the story of the vision behind it. We are toying with the idea of new construction, too!
LW: How exciting! You also have a brand new business endeavor. I’d love to hear all about Baio-Bar, and the large role sustainability plays in your concept.
AF: Baio-Bar, a woman-owned business, was conceptualized in 2018 after sitting at my computer asking myself what I was doing with my life and how I haven’t made an impact or contribution great enough to validate my time on this earth – and I’ve been in the food industry for seven years now, so I know something. Baio-Bar’s first product launch is a cricket flour protein bar that is highly sustainable and very clean label in terms of what consumers are looking for in their ingredients and food. Crickets in general are very sustainable and I think we are going to be seeing an increased trend in alternative proteins ranging from protein bars to gourmet meals. Heck, eighty percent of the world is already eating insects!
LW: Wow, that’s amazing. Are you interested in hopping on the CBD train with Baio-Bar?
AF: Girl, you know it! Now that hemp-derived CBD oil has been approved in all fifty U.S. states, we are working on developing our second branded line that will be a cricket flour protein bar containing CBD. If we can get the benefits from CBD without the actual high, I think consumers and fitness people alike will love this product – especially after a hard workout when you feel the burn and are sore!
LW: As an entrepreneur, how would you say you play to your strengths and manage your weaknesses with a personality type that leans more introverted? What is your approach when it comes to risk-taking and delegating?
AF: I’d have to say I’ve always been a risk-taker, but in the environment and social norms I was put in growing up, it was frowned upon to think differently and have opposing views. With society becoming more accepting of people in all walks of life, it has gone from what some considered a weakness to my strength. I’d have to thank my husband for being super supportive of all my ideas and constant need for the next thing – it is a strength and a weakness because I’ll go go go until I am 6ft under. He knows how to ground me and make me “stop and smell the roses.” I am in my own way a perfectionist – even though I’m forgetful – but I know that in order to have a successful business it’s important to know when you aren’t good at something and delegate by letting someone else who has the experience or knowledge have the creativity to do what they are good at. It in turn provides a mutual respect for both parties.
LW: So. You’re constantly traveling, juggling three different professions, and recently got married! How do you make time to practice self-care?
AF: It’s something I know I need more of. It got to a point last year where I was moving too fast and wasn’t spending much time with my husband or my dog. I didn’t like the feeling and have made the decision to prioritize that this year.
LW: What kind of outlet do you have for your stress?
AF: Long-distance running. I did cross country in school and have been entering half marathons as often as I can since then. It’s something I enjoy doing, and it’s a way to keep challenging myself.
LW: Fantastic. So, I’m curious – some people grew up having a complicated association with money, being told that it’s dirty and that admitting to desiring it was taboo. Have you always had such a positive mindset about making money?
AF: I think my parents instilled a healthy relationship to money in us, that it was something you worked hard for. It enables me to do the things I love, and to travel – experience more of the world. I can control my outcome a little more with it, and lead the life I want to.
LW: Last question. You’re such a goal-oriented woman and there’s no doubt you have much on your horizon. What is something you’d love to accomplish in the next ten years?
AF: Personally, I’d love to run a half marathon in 1:18, which is going to take a lot of work! I’d love to focus on Baio-Bar, creating a 501©3 within the company to help educate women in third world countries who don’t have the access and freedom we have in the U.S. As for Adelphi Development, I’d want to continue expanding and exploring different avenues there. Ben and I would love to spend a few years overseas in England absorbing different cultures. Who knows – in ten years Ben and I have a plan A for children and that would be adoption. There are so many children who need support in third world countries and even in the U.S. it would be a shame for us to not give another child already in this world the opportunities that we have.