The Real Dill: 17-year-old Holmdel entrepreneur carries on his grandfather’s legacy with Slick Willy’s Dills pickle company

By:  | April 22, 2025 |  Features |  Holmdel

By Rebecca King

“I always had two backpacks at school,” jokes Will Sakoutis. “One for my schoolbooks and one for pickles.”

Sakoutis, who lives in Holmdel, is a veteran business owner, despite being just 17 years old. His pickle business, Slick Willy’s Dills, has been thriving for six years now. Back when he was a mere 11 years old in 2019, Sakoutis would haul his homemade pickles around William R. Staz Middle School to give out to friends.

But his ambitions soon outgrew his middle school. That same year he began selling his pickles at local delis and online – a venture he’s still keeping afloat in between schoolwork (he’s now a junior at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft), wrestling practice, and college visits.

Grandpa’s Recipe

Sakoutis was inspired to open Slick Willy’s Dills after a month-long visit to Greece in 2019. He traveled by himself to the small island of Ikaria, a speck of green surrounded by the Aegean Sea, to spend the summer with his grandparents. There, his grandfather, John Sakoutis, taught him the culinary secrets of the island.

Ikaria, perhaps best known for its strong red wine, is lush with vineyards and olive fields.

“He taught me a lot about making olive oil and wine, but the thing that stood out the most to me was making pickles,” said Sakoutis.

Sakoutis, a self-proclaimed “pickle connoisseur” even at 11, was captivated by the beautiful cucumbers his grandfather grew. John taught him how to grow his own, as well as how to harvest sea salt from the ocean to use for pickling. When Sakoutis returned home, he immediately started growing his own cucumber garden. He also experimented with his grandfather’s original recipe, making a few adjustments until he achieved his ideal savory flavor.

At first, Sakoutis just gave out his jars of homemade pickles to friends and family (hence the second schoolbag). However, encouraged by his parents, he seized the opportunity to start his own business based on the traditions passed down by his grandfather.

Getting Started & Giving Back

Making pickles is one thing — running a business is entirely another. Where does Sakoutis’s entrepreneurial spirit come from?

Sakoutis credits his father, Bill Sakoutis, who runs APEX Commercial Services, a municipal service company, as his inspiration.

“He’s definitely the person who taught me everything I need to know,” he said.

Once Sakoutis created a website for Slick Willy’s Dills, he was officially up and running. Customers can still order their pickles online (16-ounce jars go for $6 to $7, and the company offers free delivery on orders of three jars or more to addresses in Monmouth County). Or they can pick up a jar or two at one of the local stores that sell Slick Willy’s Dills, including DeMarco’s Catering & Gourmet Deli in Aberdeen, Perrotti's Quality Meats in Cranford, Monmouth Meats in Red Bank and Pool Ave Bar & Liquors in Hazlet.

Slick Willy’s has expanded from offering only its signature savory dill to including spicy, cajun steak and Old Bay-flavored pickles as well. The company also offers subscription services for those who prefer the convenience of a monthly pickle delivery. Customers can choose to be shipped three jars of their choice ($18-19.50 a month), six jars ($36 to $39 a month) or 12 jars ($72-$78 a month) once a month.

Since the beginning, Sakoutis has donated 25% of Slick Willy’s Dill’s profits to local charities. 

“I always had a passion for helping others. When I started the company, I was looking for a way to give back to the community,” said Sakoutis.

The main recipient of Slick Willy’s Dill’s donations is Lunch Break, an organization run out of Red Bank that provides food, clothing, housing solutions, life skills, and community for people in need. Lunch Break primarily serves the Monmouth and Ocean County community, but will never turn anyone in need of food or clothing away. Slick Willy’s also donates to Tunnels to Towers, which has been providing veterans, first responders and their families with mortgage-free homes since 9/11. The organization also works to end veteran homelessness.

Since its founding, Slick Willy’s Dills has donated more than $10,000 to charity, said Sakoutis.

Looking Forward

These days, the Sakoutis family tries to make it out to Ikaria every summer. For Sakoutis, these trips have the extra benefit of keeping his traditional pickle-making skills sharp. Of course, Sakoutis is now also balancing the increased workload of a college-bound high school junior. A member of Christian Brothers Academy’s wrestling team, Sakoutis intends to wrestle in college, as well, so his plate is certainly full (and not just with pickles.)

“It definitely gets a bit crazy. I’ve learned a lot of time management,” he said.

As for the future of Slick Willy’s — Sakoutis says it’s a big topic of conversation around the dinner table. But there is hope that the next generation of Sakoutis may carry the torch.

“I have a younger brother, John,” said Sakoutis. “He’s about the same age I was when I started the business. So, there could be something there.”

Go to slickwillysdills.com for more information.