An interview with Sylwia Mokrysz, co-owner of Mokate.

Sławomir Szymański: As a manager, you have had many different experiences. Which seem the most important to you in hindsight? Is there anything you would have done differently?

Sylwia Mokrysz: The food industry, especially the coffee and tea sector, is characterised by strong competition and ever-changing consumer preferences. I have developed my own management style based on building long-term relationships with both customers and employees. Honesty, responsibility and commitment are the most important things to me. I always focus on quality, innovation and respect for tradition, which are the foundations of our success.

Every experience, even a difficult one, teaches you something. This is why I don’t regret any of the decisions I’ve made in my life – perhaps I would have made some of them sooner. You have to look forward, not backward. You cannot dwell on the past because you will miss out on the present. New opportunities and challenges are always more interesting…

It’s important to know how to seize opportunities and take on challenges. Is there a set of qualities that help with this?

I believe the key qualities that have helped me build my business are perseverance, consistency and the courage to take on new challenges. I have always focused on innovation, resulting in the launch of new products and marketing campaigns that have become part of Polish advertising history. Being able to listen to and understand the needs of both the market and the people around me has also been important.

What can be done to encourage more women to become business leaders? Is there any way to support them in this?

Above all, initiatives aimed at supporting women through education and mentorship should be supported. It is important for young women to have access to inspiring role models and to be able to learn from experienced female leaders. It is also crucial to create a work environment that promotes equality and encourages women to take up challenges in managerial positions.

Do you see any significant differences between women and men when it comes to functioning in business?

There is no significant difference. However, it could be said that women often bring greater empathy and intuition to business, enabling them to build lasting relationships and gain a better understanding of customer needs. The female approach also has the advantage of multitasking and being able to look at a problem from different perspectives.

What are your goals for the future? I am asking about business goals, as well as personal development goals.

I am working on finding ways to constantly delight our consumers. In 2023, I founded the Coffee & Tea Market Research Institute (which has offices in Ustron and London), where we conduct research based on scientific methods in the area of business behaviour in the food and beverage market, including the coffee and tea market. This association is, to some extent, the culmination of my passion for coffee and tea. In addition to analysing the coffee and tea market, the Institute promotes knowledge about these fascinating beverages. It brings together the research, scientific and business communities, including universities and individuals who are just starting out in business. I am also involved, for instance, in creating new products, providing training and organising conferences and meetings with other enthusiasts and professionals.

In turn, the scientific Coffee & Tea Marketing Journal, which is published as part of the Institute’s activities, enables us to attract even more people to our business.

And what about passions?

Apart from my professional, academic and social activities, I’m passionate about photography and have attended numerous National Geographic workshops. I am the co-author of the novel “The Tea Lover. When Life Becomes a Journey” (Polish „Herbaciarz. Gdy życie staje się podróżą”). I also translated “Pushing to the Front” by Orson Scott Marden and published it in a limited collector’s edition. My latest passion is aviation.

Why aviation?

To me, it’s synonymous with freedom. I love the feeling of soaring through the skies. I am currently taking a pilot training course and I can confidently say that it’s a dream come true. Every flight teaches me something new and gives me the feeling of making the impossible possible.