These Three Kids Operate New Halifax Chocolate Company
HALIFAX – Ala Hamaydeh and her three young children have spent some time in 2020 thinking of a fun family business they could operate together. The inspiration came after the family visited a kids’ market in Halifax. Ala’s husband, Rabi al Qadi, suggested they target people’s sweet tooth.
“They started thinking of something to eat since people like lots to eat, and my husband mentioned to them, ‘what about something sweet?’” Recalls Ala.
The children all quickly agreed they should sell chocolate. Only one problem:
“Chocolate? I don’t know how to do chocolate,” said Ala, on her reaction to the idea.
But the dedicated mother joined an online course and learned how to make Belgian chocolate at home. That’s how ChocoCHildren was born on August 24. Ala and her children Omar (9), Osama (7), and Zayd (3) make boxes of chocolate filled with flavours like hazelnut, caramel, and coffee.
They had a good opening week, selling and delivering 23 boxes of chocolate.
And if you think that Ala, the mother, does all the work, you’d be wrong. All three children have different responsibilities. Omar, the oldest son, is responsible for keeping track of the money and sales. In fact, it was he who knew off the top of his head the sales numbers for the first week in business. At nine-years-old, he may be the youngest accountant in Halifax.
“I clean the molds, I help with the packaging too and I count the monies,” Omar said of his responsibilities.
Seven-year-old Osama is responsible for helping to mix the chocolate and for the packaging. But he also has one very special duty; Neither Ala or Rabi like drinking or eating coffee, so it’s up to Osama to be the business’ coffee expert.
“Me and my husband, we are not coffee drinkers or eaters,” said Ala. “So we’re not good for tasting the coffee. So, Osama is the one who is tasting the coffee and he’s the one telling us ‘yes it’s okay’ or ‘no it’s not okay.’”
“Osama loves this type of chocolate.”
When asked what his favourite duty is for ChocoCHildren, Osama’s answer is simple, and to the point.
“I like eating chocolate,” he said.
Even Zayd has been eager to help out with ChocoChildren. The toddler helps clean the chocolate molds and constantly wants more responsibility.
“He says all the time: ‘I want to help you; I want to help you,’” says Ala.
With all of these business partners living under one household, how will the profits be split up? Well, a lot of money was spent on startup costs. But once that money is paid back in sales, all of the profits will be divided amongst the three children.
“This project is for the kids,” states Ala.” My husband and I said from the beginning, ‘if you want to do this project it’ll be all the profits for you.’ ”
“Whatever they have extra, they will have to plan what to do with it.”
One of the reasons Ala and Rabi wanted to start a business with the three children was to teach them valuable life lessons, such as hard work and dedication to a project.
“We want our children to have good communication skills and how to have leadership, and show them how to do financial management,” said Ala.
As the business grows, Ala is hoping that her family and ChocCHildren can give back to the community through charity work. The family moved to Halifax from Jordan in 2016 and has fallen in love with the city and its kind people.
“We love it here in Halifax, it’s very nice. It’s a beautiful life here,” she says.
And with school resuming next week, the business may just boom with new sales from classmates and teachers. Osama says his teacher happens to also love coffee.