The People Behind the Oil
Meet the Founders
Elaios was born from a simple but powerful encounter. During a trip to the Peloponnese in Greece, we met a farmer who had spent his entire life tending to the same olive grove his family had cultivated for generations. His oil was extraordinary — vivid, aromatic, unlike anything sold on American shelves. But despite decades of dedication, he had no way to reach the market beyond his village.
He had a dream: to see his oil on tables across the United States. Not as a mass-produced commodity diluted and blended beyond recognition, but as the pure, single-estate, cold-pressed product of a life's work. That dream became ours.
We founded Elaios to be the bridge between his grove and your kitchen — to give a small, family-owned operation in Greece a foothold in the American market, and to give people here access to olive oil the way it was meant to taste. Every bottle we sell carries forward a promise: that quality, authenticity, and the livelihood of the people who make it possible will never be compromised.
Mark M. Khaimov
Co-Founder
A senior at Rambam Mesivta Maimonides High School, Mark brings an analytical mind and a deep commitment to purpose-driven work. He plans to pursue a career in medicine — a path rooted in the same values that guide Elaios: care, precision, and service to others. For Mark, building Elaios is proof that meaningful impact doesn't require waiting until after graduation.
Yosef A. Harris
Co-Founder
Also a senior at Rambam Mesivta Maimonides, Yosef is drawn to the intersection of advocacy and enterprise. He intends to study law — driven by a belief that the right structures and agreements can protect the people who need it most, from small-scale farmers overseas to consumers at home. At Elaios, he ensures that fairness and integrity remain at the center of every partnership.
“We're not just selling olive oil. We're honoring a farmer's life work and proving that business can be built on something real.”