Born on Crete on January 14, 1935, Van Vlahakis arrived in the United States as a young man determined to change his life—and ultimately, the world.
He left Greece in 1953 to escape the poverty that followed World War II’s devastation of Europe and settled in Chicago, Illinois, where he studied chemistry at Roosevelt University.
Vlahakis attended classes in the morning and went straight to work afterward to support himself. Forced to live in homeless shelters when he first arrived in the United States, Vlahakis went on, just ten years later, to found the green powerhouse now known as Earth Friendly Products. He died on April 6, 2014.
Van Vlahakis was a green pioneer
Van Vlahakis did not join the green movement when it became “cool.” Rather, he helped create it. When a historian investigates the origins of the green movement and environmentally friendly products, he is likely to encounter a young man from Greece living in Chicago, struggling with English but confident he could master the symbol-intensive field of chemistry. After graduating, Vlahakis worked in the cleaning products industry, where he was exposed to harsh chemicals that caused him headaches and left co-workers suffering from rashes and other irritations.
Remembering that his mother used natural substances such as water, vinegar, and olive oil for cleaning, Vlahakis decided to start his own business in order to create safer, better cleaning products.
In 1967, Venus Laboratories was founded in the garage of his home. Due to Vlahakis’ environmentally friendly formulas and patented innovations, the company quickly moved out of the garage and into the public eye. In 1978, Vlahakis created the formula for Pet Stain & Odor Remover, followed by the now-iconic Nature’s Miracle line. In 1989, his commitment to providing non-toxic cleaning products to the public led him to develop an eco-friendly household and commercial cleaning line and to rename the company Earth Friendly Products.
“I wanted to make something that was better for people, safer for the environment,” he told the LA Times—a philosophy that defined both his life and his legacy.
Today, under the leadership of Van’s daughter, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, Earth Friendly Products is the manufacturer of the world’s #1 selling “green” laundry detergent, ECOS; the first company to produce a pH-neutral automatic dishwashing gel, Wave; and a recipient of numerous awards for progressive business practices, including the use of renewable energy and the offering of financial incentives to employees who purchase hybrid or other environmentally friendly vehicles.
The green giant has also been recognized as one of California’s best employers. With over 300 employees, five geographically diverse manufacturing facilities in the United States, a portfolio of more than 150 products, and worldwide distribution, Earth Friendly Products stands as a global leader in green manufacturing—proof that sustainability and success can grow hand in hand.
Bigger than life: A green story
Vlahakis’ life was the epitome of the “American Dream.” His story was not only about transforming his own life but also about positively impacting the lives of those around him, and it became the basis for a motion picture titled A Green Story. The 2013 feature film featured a cast that included Malcolm McDowell, who portrayed a villain attempting to force Vlahakis to sell his company—highlighting the challenges he faced while staying true to his values.
Love for Greece
Vlahakis was one of the first businessmen of the Greek diaspora to establish a sister company in Greece, demonstrating tangible support for the country’s recovering economy. Earth Friendly Products Hellas, which laid the groundwork for a production facility serving Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, was inaugurated in the summer of 2013.
“Greece has fallen on hard times, and I feel it’s my duty as a Greek-American to bring some of my success back to Greece. We hope we can lead by example and encourage other Greek-American businesses to consider getting involved in restoring the Greek economy,” he told Greek Reporter at the time.
In addition, his deep love for his homeland kept him committed to supporting numerous organizations dedicated to the benefit and advancement of Greece.
Vlahakis passed away at his Florida residence on April 6, 2014. He died at the age of 79 after suffering a heart attack, leaving behind a profound legacy of generosity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to protecting the planet—a legacy befitting one of the most successful Greek immigrants in the United States. Vlahakis was the founder and CEO of Earth Friendly Products, the world’s largest manufacturer of green cleaning products.
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