What’s the secret to great chocolate? Pam Eudaric-Amiri would know. The owner of Chocolate Secrets & Wine Gardens Inc. on Oak Lawn Avenue treats her customers to gourmet, hand-made chocolates daily with flavors from all around the world.
Customers can choose from a variety of sweet treasures to satisfy their taste buds. Items such as bonbons, truffles, chocolate bars, chocolate dipped fruit, peanut butter cups, turtles, classic molded chocolate figures, French macaroons, confections, pastries, ice creams, sorbets, fine wines, craft beers, hot chocolates, coffees and teas are all on the menu.
“The goal is to create a relaxing, warm and inviting environment,” Amiri said. “We also focus on it being a family-focused business. When you come into our store, we treat you like family. When people come through the doors, they are a member of our family, so we love you and we take care of them. It’s our job not just to sell chocolates, but to give our customers a welcoming experience.”
And Amiri has done just that. Not only does Chocolate Secrets offer delicious chocolates and desserts, but the company has created an eatery where people can relax, socialize and study.
“My idea was to create a place where women can get everything they ever wanted to in one place,” she said. “They can get music, chocolate and wine.”
The dining room features live jazz and blues Wednesday through Saturday, as well as French lessons, wine tastings and appetizers. She also sells jewelry, chocolate purses and sporting items such as chocolate footballs.
As a young child growing up in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, she and her family experienced many cultures as the family traveled around the world.
Amiri, whose father is French and mother is American, believes her background of extensive travel has helped her to develop an educated taste palette. She brought her love of food and chocolates to Dallas when she opened her business almost 13 years ago.
Amiri graduated from Rice University and earned a business degree. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she studied law at the University of Texas at Austin and received her Juris Doctor.
After practicing law for 24 years, the business litigator decided to start a chocolatier business. Amiri developed the concept after a discussion with her friends about what they would do after they retire.
“When you practice law, it is a very high and stressful gig,” she said. “I was a litigator and was very tough. I was really driven and tough, a type A. Chocolate Secrets is completely the opposite extreme. I am always open, say yes, and it is a very relaxed type of environment.”
The business is thriving today with a 30 percent growth rate.
She also owns a metal recycling company called Green Earth Metal recycling and is owner of Joe Carter Construction.
Amiri said what makes Chocolate Secrets standout is the organic ingredients.
“We use natural ingredients and don’t use wax or use too much sugar and avoid artificial preservatives,” she said. “So what you have is the best we offer.”
One can experience chocolate flavors from countries such as Hungary, France, Iran, Romania, Mexico and America.
“Our staff includes a collection of people who have dedicated their lives to stimulating the palette,” Amiri said.
She credits the success of the business to her staff and to the residents of Dallas.
“Thanks to the people of Dallas, we have grown,” she said. “They have been really royal and kind.”
Yet she explained that it all starts by having the right mindset.
“You have to believe in yourself and have a commitment to ‘yes,’” she said. “As I tell people, we are told from the time we are born and able to move, that we always get a ‘no,’ you can’t do this or that. By the time we become adults, when people say yes to us, it’s like they don’t even hear it or don’t even respond because they have been told no all their lives. You have to believe that yes is for you. You need to have self-love and believe in yourself, knowing that you are capable of whatever it is you want to achieve.”
Amiri never listened to the no’s in her life even after juggling three companies.
“People tell me all the time, why do I need three companies and my response is ‘Why not?’” she said. “Why not be successful? Know that the world is for you and then you will be able to reach out and explore. Then, you can succeed in anything whether that be in your relationships, your work, philanthropy and embrace your opportunities.”
She said juggling three companies had its challenges but she never let obstacles stop her or get in the way.
“Obstacles are just opportunities to take a different approach and come up with new ideas or solutions,” she said.
Her future goal is to make Chocolate Secrets one of the premiere chocolate companies in the U.S.
“We are all connected and the key is to be kind to one another and to yourself and then you will be truly successful.,” Amiri said. “Being raised on an island, I know that we are all family.”
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Source:
http://dallasexaminer.com/news/2016/jul/11/chocolate-secrets-local-chocolatier-shares-sweet-t/
