Today we’d like to introduce you to Ramona Thomas.
Ramona, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My Chocolate Soul grew out of my love of baking and sweets, particularly chocolate. I am a trained Mathematician with a Ph.D. in Education. I worked in education and philanthropy for 18 years before transitioning to the dessert industry in 2010. Although I baked for many years, the initial idea for starting the business came after taking an introduction to French pastries course at the French Pastry School in Chicago. I felt so at home in a commercial kitchen that I began thinking about how I could spend more time in one doing what I really loved. I eat sweets every day and was frustrated with many products–I simply grew tired of researching ingredients. I set out to create a company that makes delicious sweets using all-natural ingredients. With an initial plan, a personal financial investment, some formal training, and support and encouragement from family and friends, I launched the company in January 2011.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not at all. Some of the struggles I’ve faced include:
1). Time. I never feel like I have enough time to accomplish everything I want in a day. No two days are the same and sometimes, no matter how much I plan or manage my time, all it takes is one phone call, email, or unanticipated issue to derail your entire day (or more).
2) Vendors. I have worked with several vendors who didn’t deliver products and/or services as promised, which resulted in lost time and money.
3) Operations. Despite my prior management/leadership experiences, operations (i.e., facilities, accounting/finance, technology, human resources, and other areas) require a great deal of time.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My Chocolate Soul specializes in amazing, all-natural, artisan chocolates for businesses, celebrated events, hospitality, and enthusiasts. We create luxurious sweet experiences by spreading joy through chocolate. We make everything from truffles and bonbons to layered candy bars, all with all-natural ingredients. We follow a French, less-is-more approach to chocolate making that results in rich flavor profiles.
Our clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and nonprofit organizations, as well as event planners and producers, and chocolate enthusiasts.
We are known for our chocolate gifts, personalized event favors and catering, and custom marketing and promotional items. I am most proud of our products (clients often tell us our chocolates are the best they’ve ever had and/or are better than large chocolate companies that have existed for decades). What sets us apart of others are the quality of our products and our ability to customize chocolate gifts, event favors, and promotional items for clients. It’s what I love most about what we do.
What were you like growing up?
I was a smart kid growing up. I loved school–math came easy/naturally for me, but I also loved to read and I watched a lot of TV. I loved learning new things, then mastering them. I wasn’t big on playing with dolls as a kid. I loved games–cards, board games, and video games when they came out. I loved winning. I was competitive, not so much with others, but with myself–I always pushed myself to see if I could exceed my own personal goal/records. This was also true in school (except in social studies/history I rarely got a grade under 90 and I always did the extra credit).
Personality wise, I was shy outside of my family. I had lots of friends but I wasn’t the kid who would initiate a conversation with new kids–I would linger in the background while a more outgoing friend would start a conversation or game on the playground.
Pricing:
- Small gift boxes start at $8
- Custom event favors start at $2.50
Contact Info:
- Address: 4442 N Broadway,
Chicago, IL 60640 - Website: mychocolatesoul.com
- Phone: (773) 234-7141
- Email: info@mychocolatesoul.com
- Instagram: mychocolatesoul
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mychocsoul
- Twitter: @mychocsoul
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/my-chocolate-soul-chicago
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