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November 15, 2021

Maribel Lieberman: Honduran Entrepreneur Building her Chocolate Empire

Maribel had a vision of success since a young age, after having her caramel business at 8 years old, she worked at a department store when she was only 16 years old, “I always wanted to make my own money and always wanted to work and make myself independent.” 1 Because of this, her mother was concerned she would just drop out of college after finishing high school and start working. Therefore, her mother decided to put her into a bilingual secretarial school where she could learn English but unfortunately, she failed because it wasn’t her dream. Maribel shares how “All my sisters graduated from honors and it was shameful for my mom that I had failed her.” 1 After that, the opportunity to study in the United States opened for her, in a country like Honduras, it is not easy or common for students to have the opportunity to study in the United States. Nevertheless, Maribel decided to break that stereotype and major in fashion at Parson College in New York where she worked and studied part-time at only 17 years old. Nevertheless, after graduating from fashion at Parsons she realized fashion was not her dream. 3 She was disoriented for a while, not knowing what to do with her life with the ambition of finding her “call”. 4

Maribel’s extravagant cocoa market in New York City, MarieBelle New York.
|Courtesy of Pinterest

Maribel’s passion for mixing and creating supplements was birthed in the big apple, “I started cooking a lot for guests and I loved to entertain. That’s when I started to buy cookbooks and really found that love for food., especially in New York, where there are so many cultures and flavors. I love mixing flavors.” 1 After that, she started her own catering business, Maribel’s Gourmet Cuisine. 6 Maribel had a good ride with a high-profile client list including Bill Clinton and the late American diplomat Richard Holbrooke. 7 Even though her catering business was a success it only lasted 5 years because for her it wasn’t enough, she dreamed of more. In 2000, she opens her first chocolate store in Nolita, New York. 8 Maribel declared, “I started with chocolate because it came from my background. 1 Even though we don’t eat that much chocolate in Latin America, I wanted to tell the story of Mayas and Aztecs. History tells the story of how things come to life and I wanted to tell the story of chocolate in my country.”1 Lunettes et Chocolat still wasn’t enough, which led to that dream being cut short. 11 Just a year later, Maribel rushed to open a chocolate shop in Soho, New York before Christmas in order to sell hot chocolate during the winter. 12 The shop was called MarieBelle New York and her products were immediately loved by the people. The Soho shop, which was supposed to be a temporary shop for Christmas, became so successful she opened a cacao market inside her store that same year. According to Maribel she became known for the art  included in her chocolate which “comes from the fashion background”. She is the art director and works with her husband and a Japanese designer to sketch the drawing in the chocolates, where the perfect mix of brilliant, art and ganache, is created.1

Suddenly, in 2002 something unexpected happened, “When I was a feature in Oprah, it was a big breakthrough, and it was all over the United States.” MarieBelle New York’s Aztecs Hot Chocolate was featured as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” and still has a spot in that list.8For MarieBelle New York, that was a huge breakthrough, and she became so famous for her signature hot chocolate people began buying it from all over the world. In 2015, Forbes Magazine included her in the list of the “50 Most Influential Women in Central America” where she made the top 20 in the list for founding the chocolate paradise she is known for. 15 The Inc. Magazine described MarieBelle New York as one of the “fastest-growing companies in America,”. Maribel made her country, Honduras, vastly proud by being named within the top 20 on that list.16  Following that, her shops were such a boom she opened two more in New York City and five in Japan where all of them were thriving. “To go to Japan in 2012 was huge for me,” Maribel never expected her store to have the popularity it has in Japan, for her that was a far-reaching breakthrough.17

Maribelle New York’s famous ganache embracing a flair of art.
|Courtesy of New York Lifestyles Magazine

 

After years of success for MarieBelle New York, the Covid-19 pandemic of the year 2020 stuck. 1 At first, Maribel believed New York was going to close two to three weeks and it was a shock for her to close her store for seven months. 1 The Covid-19 pandemic was the most difficult situation for MarieBelle New York had ever managed. The economic situation was hard for her because she had fixed costs like rent, employees, and utilities. MarieBelle New York was in crisis as every other store had to also close. It was also unfortunate that the 20th anniversary of her company occurred during the pandemic so she couldn’t celebrate as she planned. It was hard times for Maribel and her company, there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel. But Maribel never gave up, “If you are a true entrepreneur, you never give up and always keep finding solutions.”

Maribel has faced challenges and threats throughout the years with her business, “As an entrepreneur, you always need to be aware of all aspects of your business and I was not so much aware on some aspects like the finance part of it,” and that was a setback for her. 1 Maribel exclaims how knowing “every corner of the business” is necessary and was something hard for her to understand. When she faced daily challenges like the 2020 pandemic she had to revise her strategy to protect her employees and assets to just stay afloat. Even though MarieBelle New York started to sell their products online in 2002, Maribel remarks how “MarieBelle New York online selling became more famous during COVID-19.” 1 The pandemic helped MarieBelle New York to change the strategy of its marketing reinforcing the online sales. 22 Maribel’s on-line shops expanded so well they reached customers in Europe, Dubai, South Korea, and Hong Kong, among others in numerous countries. Maribel recognizes that because of the use of technology innovation, her company could survive. Everything changed for her in July 2021, when New York reopened, and she could give back life to her shops. Everything went back to a “new” normal for Maribel Lieberman’s shops and she is thriving more than ever, selling in her shops and online. The pandemic taught her explore ways to multiply her sales and she continued innovative.

Maribel’s signature hot chocolate, which was featured in Oprah, known for its’ thickness and delicious flavor.
|Courtesy of Tracy’s New York Life

 

It is inspiring to see Maribel’s journey, how she was born and raised in Jutiquile, a small village on the Honduras mountains, and how she grew up and managed to build her chocolate empire abroad. 22 Since Maribel Lieberman immigrated from Honduras, she has been living the American dream.  It has been an honor for Honduras to have such an amazing woman entrepreneur, representing its’ roots in cocoa, as Maribel Liberman. 24 As a successful Honduran entrepreneur, she wanted to share this with women all over the world, “It is necessary to believe in ourselves and believe we can do it. If you have the security of believing in yourself, that is what is going to lead you to take a chance because if one never takes a chance, you will never know what you could’ve achieved. If I could do it, I think we are all capable of doing it. We just have to persevere. It’s not easy but if you have your goals set and you really want them, you will achieve them.” 1

  1. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  2. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  3. Roadtrip Nation. “Maribel Lieberman.” Roatrip Nation (blog), n.d. https://roadtripnation.com/leader/maribel-lieberman.
  4.  Mirna Gutierrez. “La Latina Que Tiene Su Imperio Chocolatero En EU.” Forbes, July 23, 2019. https://forbescentroamerica.com/2019/07/23/la-latina-que-tiene-su-imperio-chocolatero-en-eu/.
  5. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  6. Jose Pagliery. “From Tiny Jungle Town to a Gourmet City Shop Called MarieBelle.” CNN, May 11, 2012. https://money.cnn.com/2012/05/07/smallbusiness/immigration-entrepreneurs-mariebelle/index.htm.
  7.  Germán Reyes. “Hondureña Maribel Lieberman, Una ‘Llamita’ Que No Se Apaga Ante La Adversidad.” SWI Swissinfo.Ch, August 7, 2021. https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/honduras-chocolates–cr%C3%B3nica-_hondure%C3%B1a-maribel-lieberman–una–llamita–que-no-se-apaga-ante-la-adversidad/46851106.
  8. Jose Pagliery. “From Tiny Jungle Town to a Gourmet City Shop Called MarieBelle.” CNN, May 11, 2012. https://money.cnn.com/2012/05/07/smallbusiness/immigration-entrepreneurs-mariebelle/index.htm.
  9. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  10. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  11. Maribel Lieberman. “About Maribel Lieberman.” MarieBelle New York, 2020. https://mariebelle.com/pages/about-us.
  12.  Poe, Andrea. “Sweet Success.” Entrepreneur36, no. 2 (February 2008): 73. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=28549571&site=eds-live&scope=site.
  13. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  14. Jose Pagliery. “From Tiny Jungle Town to a Gourmet City Shop Called MarieBelle.” CNN, May 11, 2012. https://money.cnn.com/2012/05/07/smallbusiness/immigration-entrepreneurs-mariebelle/index.htm.
  15.  Jessica Gomez. “Honduran Women Among the 50 Most Influential – Forbes.” Honduras News, July 23, 2015. https://www.hondurasnews.com/honduran-women-among-the-50-most-influential/.
  16. Jessica Gomez. “Honduran Women Among the 50 Most Influential – Forbes.” Honduras News, July 23, 2015. https://www.hondurasnews.com/honduran-women-among-the-50-most-influential/.
  17.  Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  18. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  19. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  20. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  21. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.
  22. Germán Reyes. “Hondureña Maribel Lieberman, Una ‘Llamita’ Que No Se Apaga Ante La Adversidad.” SWI Swissinfo.Ch, August 7, 2021. https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/honduras-chocolates–cr%C3%B3nica-_hondure%C3%B1a-maribel-lieberman–una–llamita–que-no-se-apaga-ante-la-adversidad/46851106.
  23. Germán Reyes. “Hondureña Maribel Lieberman, Una ‘Llamita’ Que No Se Apaga Ante La Adversidad.” SWI Swissinfo.Ch, August 7, 2021. https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/honduras-chocolates–cr%C3%B3nica-_hondure%C3%B1a-maribel-lieberman–una–llamita–que-no-se-apaga-ante-la-adversidad/46851106.
  24.  Maribel Lieberman. “About Maribel Lieberman.” MarieBelle New York, 2020. https://mariebelle.com/pages/about-us.
  25. Vivian Urrutia, Interview with Maribel Lieberman, October 15, 2021.

Tags from the story

Chocolate

Honduras

international business

Recent Comments

Carlos Hinojosa

I’m going to be honest I’ve never heard of this woman before I read this article. Honestly, I also don’t think I have heard or tried her chocolate before. However, this article showed me a lot about this successful woman and how she preserved. This woman seems like she knows what she’s doing and someone you would want to learn from.

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24/01/2022

7:24 am

Madeline Chandler

This is such a well written engaging article. Very captivating and informative. I have never heard of Maribel and her amazing chocolate company. It is interesting she started so young and this article really sets an example for young women and young and old entrepreneurs. It was really nice to read a different type of article even though it made it hungry. It is so impressive Job well done! Enjoyed it!!

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29/01/2022

7:24 am

Velma Castellanos

I find Mirabel incredible to have started a business at such a young age. I like how you explain her journey steadily, leading up to her success. She seems to be an extraordinary women living the American dream. She worked hard to get where she is at which is admirable. The article did make me hungry for some chocolate after reading and is an amazing article about an entrepreneur.

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31/01/2022

7:24 am

Andrea Ramirez

Fascinating article!! I really enjoyed all the reading of this article, even though I didn’t know about Maribel Lieberman, I found her story intriguing. It is interesting to see how Maribel was a worker since she was little. A born entrepreneur. I think many will identify with her, when you pointed out that she was lost at a point in her life, not knowing what to do with it. And how her mother thought that she would be the “black sheep” of her family, because her mother believed that she would not want to graduate like all her sisters. But, at the end, she made an incredible business that moved from New York to Japan. And even Forbes magazine included her in the list of the “50 most influential women in Central America”. ​​Thus, made her country, Honduras proud. I believe that this is when one begins to reflect and analyze how the points of the past are connected with those of the present. And then, you understand why what happened, happened. It was sad to read that she, like many other companies, went through difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I liked the attitude she took on it. She truly proved herself to be a salesperson and entrepreneur of heart. She looked for the solution and sold her products online. Thanks to this attitude, her stores reached many other countries, and she fared much better. By then, when she reopened her physical store, she had an online business and the original, and now, her company was bigger. That shows you a powerful lesson; focus on the solution and not on the problem, and you will see how these are resolved.

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06/02/2022

7:24 am

Andrew Ponce

This article is especially unique to others on this database, considering it covers the story of a woman and her journey to success. It was very interesting and fun to read about this woman and how she went on to demonstrate true persistence in following her dream despite odds. It is amazing to see the level of determination one can have when their goals and dreams are set. Very inspiring article!

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06/02/2022

7:24 am

Kanum Parker

This article shows heart and passion. It takes time to figure out what you want in life but one day you can get there. As many of us we took years to find out what we really want and how we want to do it. This is that. This is the American dream. We can make nothing into something with passion and hope. I love reading on how people make a living by doing what they love.

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08/02/2022

7:24 am

Sara Davila

I really enjoyed this article and the story behind Maribel. I liked how it shows how there shouldn’t be so much pressure to find your career so quick. There should be more emphasis on doing what you love rather than doing what would please your family. I also commend Maribel for including her culture in her work as well, especially during a time like the pandemic.

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20/02/2022

7:24 am

Enrico Zorzin Onzi

Hello Vivian. Your article was very well written. I like stories like Maribel building her own business from her dedication and vision. This story is capable of inspiring others, and my take-away was that if we have a goal, a dream, and the desire to make the difference; we must put all or effort to achieve it. I believe that all Maribel’s experiences in life since she was young selling caramels, prepared her to be a businesswoman, and the MarieBelle New York store was consequence of her determination. It is also nice to know that what Maribel was doing had a deep meaning for her, instead of just thinking about money. That is the reason her company crossed the boarders and is impacting other countries nowadays.

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13/09/2022

7:24 am

Halie Estrada

This was an amazing article! To imagine her at my age already traveling the world, studying and working is a dream. I was inspired by her story and the way she always felt destined to do what she felt was meant for her. The way Mirabel was able to persevere throughout any obstacle that was thrown her way including a epidemic is crazy, and goes to show that you can do anything with consistency.

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20/10/2022

7:24 am

Esteban Serrano

Hi Vivian, Great job on your article and with your research. Lieberman’s story was a very unique one and I liked the retelling very much. I think she is really an example of a superb business woman who really had a vision and found a love for the business world very young. I find this very interesting because of her approaches to business and her love for it as well. Great job on your article, once again! Congrats on your publication.

reply

23/10/2022

7:24 am

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