If you’re one of the lucky people that happen to know this fine young adult, then you know what I mean when I say you’re lucky to know him. I’m here to enlighten you about one of the nicest, most headstrong, honest, positive, committed, supportive, respectful, responsible, genuine, and most creative role models for everyone. He is the best inspiration for; a great example of someone with their head screwed on straight and their priorities in line for success!

       For those that may not know of the man, the myth, the legend, Nick Kreticos. He is a bright headed 19-year-old who was brought up in, and lives in, Rowley. Just by looking at this intelligent individual, you may quite possibly be able to see his Gr

eek nationality. His family and ancestors can be traced back to Greece. The Greek culture is very strong or prevalent in his family and household. I can remember a time I stopped by to see him and as I walked through the door I was immediately taken over by the mouth watering aroma of a traditional Greek style meal his grandmother had been preparing in the kitchen for dinner that night.

       Nick is also a very big family man. He often talks about his grandmother who you’ll often hear him call “Yiayia”. Yiayia is a Greek term that translates back to granny or grandmother. Yiayia speaks fluent Greek with a heavy accent. She knows English but with Greek being her primary language, that’s what she mainly prefers to speak. Having her around gives his home a very nice Greek cultural feel to it. They all speak Greek at home. His siblings don’t speak Greek so there is some English, but you can often hear Greek conversations going on around the house from his father, Yiayia, and Nick of course. He even went to Greece with Triton’s travel club and unexpectedly ran into family he had there. Nick speaks Greek with his family regularly to practice and learn the language. Sense his siblings don’t speak Greek, it’s nice he’s keeping the nationality going. Even though on Thanksgiving they eat the same traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, etc. They still include some Greek food like Greek Lasagna, Greek cookies, and Greek spinach pie. Nick isn’t just about family even though it is one of his main priorities; school and education is a big deal for him too.

       Last year Nick was a senior at Triton, like any other senior worried about their future and what they’re going to do with their lives. Nick had to

figure out a way to get himself through college. He never knew he’d figure it out by making a wreath.

       It was last October when Nick got the inspiration to start “Nick’s Seasonal Decor” business. One day he was making a wreath and saw the potential profit so he tried to create a business of his own to pay for college. He seems to have done a pretty good job considering he’s grown to have over 75,000 followers on his Facebook page.

       In fact Hometalk, an online platform that helps people improve their lives with DIY videos, reached out to Nick, asking him to do a live video on making one of his wreaths. After that they scheduled to do them for every Saturday. He does get some help with filming and production from his family but other than that, he’s a one man show.

       He also has a private group on Facebook where subscribers can pay $15 a month and you get to see how he makes all of his products. He was about 500 subscribers and looks to see those numbers rise with the upcoming holidays. He post a tutorial once a week and sometimes has guest designers go on live in the group. It may not be that easy keeping up with all different things he has going on with his business but in his own words.

       “It’s very stressful and busy but I love it!” What had started from just selling Christmas wreaths has come a long way. Now he does all season wreaths, door pieces, centerpieces, arrangements, trees, garlands, videos, tutorials, and both fresh and fake flower designs. But if you thought that was a lot, Nick didn’t seem to think so.

       Nick also has his own homestead business, “Nick’s Homestead”. He sells geese, ducks, chickens, etc. He sells dozens of different breeds of birds both poultry and waterfowl. He sells them all as eggs, chicks, and full grown. This business is only during the spring though.

       He also has other farm animals he keeps as pets. He has goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, geese and two Alpacas. He keeps some eggs for himself to use at home and he plans on selling the the sheep and alpaca wool.

       Even with all this work he still manages to find time to take classes at Ritter’s School of Floral Design and Business in Boston. He’s taking a six month course from September to March where he goes everyday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

       When he’s not at school he’s working. When he finds a little time for himself, he likes to hang out with his friends and tour Boston on his lunch breaks. And for a busy man, he still somehow finds time for other people. I know that whenever I’m in a bad mood and don’t want anything to do with the world, he’s always there asking what’s wrong. And what’s different from everybody else is that he genuinely cares. He really wants to know what’s wrong and do what he can to help out.

       Nick Kreticos is not only a great entrepreneur but he is also the nicest friend you could ever ask for. If you know Nick or are friends with him, then you know you have at least one real friend by your side no matter what you go through.