School might be out for some, but for Hive Greek Donuts, education is a lifelong pursuit. In between writing books and running a blog full-time, local author Sylvia Leontaritis also runs a family business. Editor Kellina spoke to the owner of the Hive Greek Donuts to hear more about her vision and inspiration behind the business — spoiler alert: there’s more to the picture than the colorful truck.
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for brevity.
What’s the inspiration behind The Hive Greek Donuts?
We’re a homeschooling family, and after a unit on entrepreneurship, my two youngest kids were full of ideas. Since they were both old enough to start working part-time, I thought having a family-run business would be ideal. I didn’t want to miss out on these fleeting years with my younger kids.
I also saw this as an incredible opportunity to teach them hands-on lessons about work ethic, responsibility, and money management. They work nearly every event with me and handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes prep. I make sure they’re involved in every part of it.
We found one [trailer], and our whole family renovated it together. My husband did the heavy lifting, but we all pitched in. It was such a fun project and really brought us together.
What makes it special?
We’re proud to be family-owned and women-owned — but what truly makes THE HIVE special is our connection with our customers. I’ve always had a servant’s heart, and running a food truck allows me to serve our local community with joy.
Our Greek culture is also a big part of what we do. We use our family’s loukoumades (Greek donut) recipe to share a little piece of our heritage. And on our logo, you’ll find Proverbs 16:24: “Kind words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” That verse isn’t just decorative—it reflects the heart of our mission. It’s amazing how a small compliment or a moment of connection can brighten someone’s day. That’s what we strive for at every event—genuine, heartfelt service.
What is your favorite part about having a business?
Hands down, working with my kids. Some people think I’m crazy, especially since we already homeschool. It’s a different kind of togetherness. I get to watch them step up, solve problems, and confidently interact with customers. Seeing them grow in their confidence and abilities fills me with so much pride. Even on the days they complain, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
What advice would you give to another business owner or another parent since you are one?
Prioritize what matters to you — and then go all in. If there’s something tugging at your heart, take the leap. Don’t be afraid to fail—failure is part of every great success story. And above all, lead with love. Love your customers, your fellow business owners, your kids, and your family. When you do things with love, it shows. It makes everything better.
You can find the food truck at Cobblestone Farmers Market on Saturday mornings or during pop-up markets in Winston-Salem. Stay tuned to find out where they’re headed next.
