MEXICO CITY—Fredo Solar, a BYU-Hawaii graduate of accounting, has started a chocolate factory in Mexico City. Solar is proud of making one of the best chocolate products in Mexico, but even more important for him is how Bucareli Chocolate helps those who can’t help themselves – something that is embodied in the company’s slogan: “changing lives has never been sweeter.”
Bucareli Chocolate makes its gourmet chocolate, with special ingredients of love and hope, by employing people with physical disabilities. “We all need some kind of help,” says Solar, “and there isn’t any better way I can think of than giving a job to people to gain hope.” In Mexico, as in many other countries, few laws exist to protect or help those with disabilities, and so discrimination against the disabled soars.
Along with helping others, Solar has enjoyed the entrepreneurial journey of Bucareli Chocolate. “Looking back, this clearly was a crazy idea that required a lot of faith,” says Solar. Motivated by his desire to help the disabled of his home country, Solar solicited help from friends and acquaintances, researched the chocolate-making industry, moved back to Mexico, rented and renovated a facility, and eventually hired employees and started his chocolate factory.
Solar credits much of his success to his time at BYU-Hawaii. He was inspired to succeed in business and family after listening to a devotional and business lecture from a spiritual and inspirational man who started his own business upon returning from his mission. The man, now known as Elder Gary E. Stevenson, was later called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, continues to be an inspiration to Solar in how to be successful in both business and family life.
Along with the man entrepreneurial and business lectures and classes offered by BYU-Hawaii, Solar is greatly impacted by President McKay’s prophecy about students from his alma mater: “From this school, BYU-Hawaii, will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally.”
I think many people are making it come true in quiet ways: raising good kids, serving in the Church, and working hard in whatever field they have chosen to work in,” Solar Says. “I hope I am doing my part here at Bucareli Chocolate.”
Visit http://bucarelichocolate.com or give a like at https://www.facebook.com/bucarelichocolate. Bucareli Chocolates are currently sold in Mexico, Texas, and Utah.
Writer: | University Relations |
