An interview with Teresa Jonas, the president and investor of Galeria Wiślanka in Żory and the owner of Polskie Drogerie chain stores and the Błysk company about how she managed to create a thriving shopping centre, run one of the leading companies manufacturing and distributing cosmetics for more than 30 years and, at the same time, balance her personal life with great professional success.
For many years, you have been primarily associated with the cosmetics industry, as the owner of Drogerie Polskie and the Błysk company. A few years ago, you decided to make your debut on the shopping centre market as an investor in Galeria Wiślanka in Żory. What prompted you to take such a step?
Indeed, the completion of Galeria Wiślanka as an investor I may call a debut on the medium-sized shopping centre market. We have previously completed smaller facilities on the commercial property market. Longterm running of the Błysk and Drogerie Polskie companies gave me the opportunity to closely observe the Polish commerce changing in terms of evolving expectations and preferences of Polish consumers. With such experience, we decided to diversify our business in the area of commercial real estate, hence the decision to build Galeria Wiślanka. Thus, I approached the construction of the first large-format shopping facility not only with ambition, but first and foremost with an in-depth study of the market needs. A natural step in running a business is to develop and diversify it, to set further goals and to cross new horizons. Of course, this always involves a certain amount of risk. In order to successfully realise a given investment, it is necessary not only to believe in one’s own capabilities, but, above all, to support it with analyses and market research in order to minimise business risk as much as possible. A very important factor during implementation of any investment is a group of experienced and professional companies. In my opinion, difficult investments should be made with market leaders in a given industry. Then we can minimise the business risk. This was the case with the completion of Galeria Wiślanka. I invited STRABAG for cooperation as a General Contractor or Mallson in the area of commercialisation. Having the right budget to complete a business objective is important, but it’s just one component of its success. When creating such a large investment as the construction of a shopping mall, a real synergy of many elements is required. I am very proud of this project because its completion, both construction and commercialisation, coincided with the global coronavirus pandemic. Despite this, the market saw great potential, and Wiślanka managed to fully commercialise it even before it opened.
You decided to build Galeria Wiślanka in Żory. Why this city?
Żory wasn’t an accidental destination. This city is very close to me. As an entrepreneur, I have been involved in Silesian business for years. So I analysed the needs and expectations of the inhabitants of Żory and the surrounding area. Although trade in Żory had been well-developed for years, the town didn’t have an adequate commercial space meeting the standards embracing the most recognisable brands. Galeria Wiślanka is therefore the only such facility in the whole region. For years, the residents were forced to travel to other cities to shop their favourite brands, meet at restaurants of popular food chains or go to a multiplex. The aim of Galeria Wiślanka was to provide residents with the largest shopping offer in the city, which is why we based our tenant portfolio largely on the most recognisable brands and showrooms of brands that have never been available in Żory.
Yumi is more than just cosmetics
There’s no denying that Galeria Wiślanka has become not only a shopping destination, but also the most important leisure destination in the city. The Gallery’s campaign slogan “Hear? This is where the heart of the city beats.” perfectly illustrates the important function this shopping centre fulfils for the local community.
This is true. From the very beginning of creating the Galeria Wiślanka project, the idea was to build a shopping centre with quality and a widely developed city-forming and culture-forming function. We want to be part of the city’s history, but above all to contribute to the present. We emphasise this in many aspects, such as the façade, which stands out from other buildings, designed by Joanna Jonas, who is the author of a mural depicting historical symbols of Żory and the region. Our personal approach to the realisation of this investment was quickly appreciated not only by the residents, but also by the tenants themselves. It was of my personal importance to give the residents of Żory a place where they would want to meet not only for shopping, but also to socialise and enjoy spending their free time there. This is why the project envisaged a several-screen modern Helios cinema or a large playroom for children from the very beginning. The diverse gastronomic offer also makes residents come to the Gallery to meet for lunch, dinner or, for example, pizza. In addition, we ourselves carry out and engage in campaigns for the local community. Throughout the summer holidays, we organised cyclical events for the youngest, which provided free entertainment for children spending the summer in the city. A mammobus will soon appear outside our centre in cooperation with the National Institute of Oncology.
Galeria Wiślanka will soon celebrate its third birthday. Are you satisfied with how the shopping centre has performed over these years?
We have chosen a really good development strategy for Galeria Wiślanka. From the very beginning, it has become the main shopping destination in the region providing the largest range of brands. Customers enjoy spending time with us and we will certainly continue to try to meet the ever-growing needs of our visitors. We are succeeding so far, and the best example of this is the ever-increasing footfall, which is well above the national average. I myself often visit Galeria Wiślanka and when I see hundreds of cars in the outdoor car park and satisfied customers walking around the arcade or sitting in the food court area, I am really proud of this project.
You also run a successful business called Błysk, supported by your family members. How do you run this type of family business?
My husband and I have always tried to ensure that our sons get the best possible education, but at the same time we have always supported the development of passions in them. My experience proved that only in tandem with true passion you can run a business. Our sons now sit on the boards of our companies and we give them full freedom in decision-making. I believe that it’s the young generation that understands customer needs the most, and let’s remember that both Millenials and Generation Z have different expectations. Nowadays, multi-channel is extremely important, so we offer our products in traditional sales channels, through the leading drugstore chains operating on the Polish market, i.e. Hebe, Rossmann, Lidl, but we also sell online. Our sons have extraordinary intuition, but they also know the needs of the market very well and are great at it.
Błysk is not only a cosmetics distributor. It is also a manufacturer of brands well received in the market. Which brand from the Błysk portfolio are you most proud of?
– At present, each of our brands is well established in the market, is valued by consumers and we know that each has its own group of loyal customers. I can’t point out just one brand, as each one required a personal commitment to develop and put in a lot of work at the time of launch. Customers really appreciate the Yumi brand products. It is a 98% vegan facial and body cosmetic range based on natural ingredients, mainly aloe vera. Since the launch, we have significantly expanded its range. More recently, it has new ranges for children’s and men’s care. For us, Yumi is more than just cosmetics – it is a concept based on providing good quality going hand in hand with an always good price and a visually well-designed graphic line and fragrances that are loved by both older and really young consumers. My son is responsible for the Yumi concept and has also built up our entire brand portfolio. The Made In Lab brand of affordable perfumes is also very successful online. The Provocater nail polish line, on the other hand, has been loved by customers for its quality and colours that are always in line with the latest trends.
Thank you for the interview, and I expect that this is not the last word when it comes to the business area of Teresa Jonas. I therefore wish you all the best with your future professional plans.
Thank you so much for a pleasant interview.
Dorota Kolano
Beata Sekuła
