When Margarita Llona arrived at Lakeside ten years ago, instead of retiring – which was her plan – she saw a big need for quality education for underprivileged kids.
Coming out of a career as a Montessori teacher, she began working with families and sponsors at the nonprofit organization, Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic, and then at Love in Action, where she was their school director for a year.
She noticed that the children coming out of these organizations needed something more than just a school education – they needed help transitioning into society, something to build their lives on. With this realization came her idea to dedicate her work to helping them integrate into the world. And what better way than through chocolate.
Not knowing a thing about chocolate, or even how to start a business, Llona took three months to learn everything she could. Last November, with the support and encouragement of her boyfriend, Larry Hamilton, her chocolate business was born. Her intention is to pass along what she learns as a business owner to eager-to-learn, underprivileged youth entering the workforce.
“Once 18-year-olds leave their home or institution they are free to do whatever they want,” says Llona. “Yet often, they don’t have a clue as to what that is. My plan is to interview them, first by going through the directors of the organizations, and then finding out what they want to do with their lives. My next step will be to mentor these kids who often come out of difficult family situations and don’t have the family foundation or financial support to do so.”
During her three-month learning phase, she discovered that one sure way to learn a business is the hands-on approach. Thus, she began selling her products at four markets around Lakeside, which she continues to do. In addition, she fulfills individual orders.
“Just last week,” she says, “a client ordered 150 truffles, which will become prizes at an upcoming fundraising event.”
Llona admits that she’s still in the learning phase, even though her sales are growing.
“I’ve hired a young, single mom of twin girls to help me out. While she’s helping me, she’s learning how to run a business, although she’s more focused on the financial rewards than the training, since her goal is to be a lawyer.”
Within a year, Llona plans to rent a space in the Lakeside area to run her free, one-on-one business mentoring program. She plans on sharing with the children subjects such as: how to conduct online research for finding appropriate businesses; handling finances; customer interactions; standards of cleanliness; and how to introduce new products into the marketplace.
“Those coming out of homes and institutions often need more help with transitions,” she says. “Having someone they can trust and communicate with is where my role as a mentor comes in. The one-on-one training will be personal and individual, like teamwork. I will start with one student, then move on to the next one. That student can bring in a friend, and so on.”
Seeing how chocolate is equated with happiness, Llona chose as her business name Happy Life.
“I can see how chocolate brings beautiful interactions between people. It’s a symbol of love. Dark chocolate also happens to be a health food. My creations include truffles and various types of European-style, artisan, high quality chocolates, all made without sugar or oil. I also make various nut butters, including a Nutella-style butter.”
Born of Spanish descent in Barcelona, Llona was raised in Lima, Peru. At the age of 22, she started traveling to 15 countries where she worked as a teacher, director and fundraiser director in Montessori schools, dealing with low-income children.
Says Llona: “My mother and father were doctors and moved to Lima to open an institution for deaf and mute children, teaching them how to read lips and speak instead of using sign language. They ended up training many children. My father was also a pediatrician who loved helping underprivileged children. I believe it was my parents’ influence that marked the beginning of my career as a teacher and a giver. I love children. I even find myself asking mothers who walk by my booth at the markets if I can borrow their babies for an hour while they shop or sell. Sometimes I get lucky.”
Learning hands-on at Lakeside’s markets has been a great advantage for Llona.
“I’m learning things I would never learn in the classroom. Once the kids go through their training with me and I pass my knowledge onto them, they can open any kind of business, and it doesn’t have to be chocolate. To watch one of my students start their own business is my ultimate goal.”
To contact Margarita Llona, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.