Today we’d like to introduce you to Ines Rehner.
Hi Ines, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I grew up on a small, organic farm in former Yugoslavia (now Croatia). My family made everything from scratch- from cured meats and cheeses to wine and fresh produce. The term “organic” didn’t exist- organic farming was just our way of life.
When I grew up, I went on to study business and had a dream to move to America where entrepreneurship is encouraged. With the support of my family, I bought a one-way ticket to New York City. I gained experience working in a chocolate shop, but I always thought chocolate could taste even better. So, at night I would experiment making my own blends of chocolate in my small home kitchen.
Fast forward to 1995, when I unexpectedly met the love of my life- John- while visiting relatives in Cleveland. John was supportive of my dream to start my own chocolate shop and the rest is history. I said goodbye to New York City and moved to Cleveland to open my shop in Lakewood the same year.
My gourmet chocolate shop, Sweet Designs Chocolatier, has provided gifts and gourmet European-style chocolates for over 26 years. But my love of organic food and healthy eating never waned, so in 2013 I became the first and only USDA Certified Organic Chocolatier in Ohio. I developed smartBARK! Organic, a dark snacking chocolate that is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and certified Fair Trade. It has been my passion project, and we continue to grow the brand, which can now be found in specialty groceries across the region, such as Whole Foods, Kroger, Mustard Seed, and Heinen’s.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I always say you shouldn’t go into business unless you love to solve problems. Problem-solving is a part of the everyday reality of running a small business, and I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of running my business. I won’t pretend it isn’t challenging though- the reason why it is so rare to find USDA Certified Organic chocolate is that is extremely labor-intensive and costly to maintain the certification.
Of course, COVID posed its own challenges that we continue to feel as a small business even as the virus itself wanes. We continue to struggle with supply chain issues, increased costs, and labor shortages, which hit small businesses especially hard. The one thing that remains a constant, though, is my dedication to high-quality ingredients. It is something I will never compromise, and it is a daily reminder of why I started this business, which keeps me grounded during these challenging times. Like all small businesses, we must simply learn to adapt to new challenges as they come up without sacrificing our values.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What is unique about my business is that everything is made by hand by skilled chocolatiers. It is really important to me to provide jobs in my community, and not just mass-manufacture our product. This community welcomed me in as an immigrant, and I love to pay it forward. Being a mentor to people is a part of the joy of owning this business, and we are lucky to have a crew from diverse backgrounds, from refugees just starting out in this country to students just starting out in the workforce.
What is unique about our product is that we use real, cocoa-butter-based chocolate (unlike the hydrogenated fats that can be found in mass-produced chocolate), which requires tempering- a scientific process that gives chocolate its sheen and smooth texture.
With smartBARK! Organic, the chocolate itself is minimally processed in Italy before it makes its way to us to create the final product. Because there is no added soy lecithin as an emulsifier, all of the chocolate’s naturally occurring cocoa butter remains intact for a supremely creamy, melt-in-your-mouth experience. You just don’t get that without the real cocoa butter present.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I love being in this country, because with enough hard work you can really make your dream happen. I also share that sentiment with young people as they enter the workforce and get their first job with us. It is a beautiful thing to be able to create something from the ground up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.smartbarkorganic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartbarkorganic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartbarkorganic
