Women Who Inspire: From cheques to chocolate truffles - Kenia's Story
I remember meeting Kenia years ago. My father-in-law introduced us when we first moved to the States. He would say "Kenia! Such a big name for someone so small in size!" It is true, the Shakesparean line from a Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, "Though she be but little, she is fierce" was created with this incredible woman in mind.
Kenia is originally from Honduras. She grew up in her mother's bakery, seeing her mother create and provide delicious treats to her customers. This experience always stayed with her. After moving to the US at a very young age she forged a career in banking and lived a steady, content life. She had been married for only a short while, but despite its untimely ending she still believed that there is always room for a second chance at love. Though she continued her journey of living this comfortable life, she did so hoping and searching for perhaps someone new to join her. After seven years she had a moment of clarity. She was the person she was meant to have her journey with. She had a renewed appreciation for all she had, a job, her family, security.
She was convinced that there was still more to gain out of life, and reminded her self that you only have one life to achieve it all. Considering all of the things she held important: her artistic capabilities, her love for travel and a long term plan to be her own boss, she knew that she had to spread her wings. She wasn't quite sure where she would go, or what she would do so she listed out her options and started to plan.
Kenia worked at our bank, and also collected donations to send to an orphanage back home to Honduras regularly. She met with us during one of her pick ups and mentioned suddenly told us she would no longer be working there. She would be leaving after 16 years. We were amazed, she was so good at what she did, we selfishly wanted her to stay but after asking what she was going to do, and she said that she was going to Switzerland to learn how to make chocolates.
Just like that.
I of course, was intrigued by the audacity. Wait, you can just do that? Just leave and go and learn to make chocolates after working in the corporate world for 16 years?
It turns out you can.
I rememeber tweeting about her when I heard, still incredulous. I wasn't the only one! But I was able to virtually sit down with her after she got back to hear about her experience, and it was as wonderful as you would imagine.
Kenia's fool proof strategy on planning to be spontaneous:
1. Save. Save. Save!
Having a primarily financial background, it was a no-brainer for her to start saving every penny. She saved for two years, first removing all of her credit card debt. "I stopped rewarding myself," she says "it helped to keep the big picture in mind." Kenia saved enough to cover her bills for 6 months after she knew she would be leaving her home, and enough to cover her expenses in a new place and for any fees.
2. Be open minded and flexible.
In the planning stages, she wasn't sure which direction she would go. She started looking at culinary schools but found they were too expensive. After reaching out to a friend who lives in Switzerland, he suggested chocolate school. Kenia reached out to three schools asking for an apprenticeship. One replied and it was all in motion from there.
3. Do the base work
Kenia in front of Chocolat Atelier with Sonia and Ruth
One of the conditions for being able to work as an apprentice at this chocolate school was to know the basics of chocolate at least. Kenia flew to Chicago for a training course on the basics of chocolate to prep for her adventure.
Then it came time to make the magic happen. Kenia arrived at Chocolat Atelier in Switzerland, greeted by the warm and friendly duo Sonia and Ruth. To them, chocolate was more than just dessert, it was a way of life, a true passion and life calling.
They nurtured Kenia's foray into the art of confection and chocolate making, reassuring her on days when she felt uncertain. "Don't worry," they said, "it will be just like learning to ride a bicycle. On some days you will fall but get back on and just keep going." Kenia smiled as she referred to them as her fairy Godmothers.
For three months, Kenia immersed herself in a new culture. While she had days of self doubt, missing home and her family she appreciated waking up in the most beautiful, dreamlike setting daily and walking amongst the quaint Swiss roads to get to the chocolate shop everyday.
Kenia mused that this experience allowed her to appreciate different perspectives and cultures. The kindness received by Sonia and Ruth transformed her and grew her passion for handcrafting beautiful, works of art. Seeing the smiles on faces of customers gave her that satisfaction and purpose she had been looking for in a respectable profession and she knew that she had found her peace.
After the three months were over, she returned home and worked for a very impressive chocolate company in Orlando's Universal. Covid came upon us and the stores closed, but Kenia is one of the most enterprising women you will ever meet and so she opened up her Etsy shop. Clereth chocolates is now available for gourmet, handcrafted artisanal chocolates.
Achieving the two things Kenia always wanted, to be at peace and be her own boss.
Her advice for anyone considering making a life changing leap, is that you should just go for it; believe that something magical happens when you take that first step and the rest will fall into place.
Follow Kenia on IG: @kenitabonita1
Kenia’s boutique chocolate shop on Etsy: Clereth Chocolate
“After a 16 year career in the corporate world, life lead me to Switzerland where I fell in love with the art of chocolate. I had the wonderful opportunity to immerse myself in the world of chocolate with some of the best Swiss Chocolatiers. Waking up to mountain views and spending long days in the confection of the best quality of chocolates was a magical experience. The fairytale views may not be the same in Orlando, but the passion for this art never left me. I want to share all I have learned and make other people's lives a little bit sweeter one chocolate at a time.” - Kenia, Clereth Chocolate.
