Investment & Fund Management

Nikoleta Dala, the founder of Nikoleta’s Sweet Creations, faced significant challenges when transitioning from a home-based pastry hobby to establishing a professional patisserie in Glykorizo, Arta, Greece. Initially, both her husband and father were hesitant about the risks associated with starting a business. However, driven by her passion and the desire to connect with customers, Nikoleta decided to take the plunge and open her own shop.

To facilitate this transition, she secured an EU-guaranteed loan from the Cooperative Bank of Epirus, which was backed by the European Investment Fund (EIF). This financial support enabled her to renovate a former restaurant space and purchase essential equipment such as fridges, ovens, and mixers. Without this funding, the process would have been significantly delayed, as relying solely on personal savings would have taken much longer.

Nikoleta opened her shop in November 2020, just in time for the crucial Christmas season, which is particularly important for traditional Greek pastries. Since then, she has successfully captured about one-third of the local market, operating seven days a week and often extending her hours to meet demand. She emphasizes the importance of personal touch in her creations, using only fresh ingredients and focusing on custom designs for special occasions.

With a strong online presence, boasting 3,500 followers on Facebook and 90% of her orders coming through social media, Nikoleta has effectively leveraged digital marketing to grow her business. Her journey reflects the importance of careful planning and the need for a solid foundation before taking entrepreneurial risks, as she spent eight years building her clientele before launching her shop.