My name is Chris and I was born and raised in Greece.
Almost two decades ago, when the financial crisis hit my country, I moved to the United Kingdom in search of better opportunities. I am a software engineer by trade, which means I’ve spent most of my life behind a screen. For a long time, I didn’t give much thought to clothing or quality products of any kind, unless they involved electronics.
My approach was simple: buy cheap, replace often. Clothes and shoes didn’t need to last long. If they wore out, I could just buy more next year. Sweatshops, environmental impact, the effects of synthetic fabrics? Those issues felt distant and irrelevant to me.
So at this point, you might be wondering, how did a geeky software engineer, with no particular interest in sustainability or quality end up selling baby clothes?
That story begins with Joyce, my lovely wife. Joyce and I met in London nearly a decade ago. Joyce is Taiwanese, and she was raised with strong values around quality, sustainability, and ethical production. In the early days of our relationship, I struggled to adapt. “This plastic goes in the recycling bin.” “That’s food waste, don’t throw it in with the rest.” “Buy a good pair of shoes and take care of them.” “Don’t support that shop, it’s a sweatshop.” These were her daily reminders. At first, I resisted. But slowly, let’s be honest, through sheer repetition her principles began to reshape the way I thought.
Then came our first baby boy, just a few months ago. That was the turning point. While I might not have cared much about the clothes I wore, I knew I wanted only the best for him.
And this is how Bears Like Olives was born!
Our mission is simple: to bring you baby clothes that are made from high quality materials, produced ethically, and designed with both comfort and sustainability in mind.
Of course, we know this isn’t always easy. Quality and sustainability often come at a higher price, which can feel difficult to justify for items a baby will only wear for a few months. But we believe these pieces don’t need to go to waste. They can be donated, passed down, or even re-sold, helping to extend their life, reduce your footprint, and in some cases, return some of your investment.
If you’re not fully convinced yet, that’s okay. I’ll admit sometimes even I need reminding of why we chose this path. But it’s the path we believe in, and one we hope you’ll join us on too.