18: $20 Million Business Bankruptcy to Passionate Happy Lifestyle // The Story of Bernard Callebaut
Background:
Bernard Callebaut is a renowned Master Chocolatier, with four generations of experience behind him. Focused always on the balance of taste and style, fellow chocolatiers, chefs and gastronomes around the world revere him. Having brought worldwide recognition to his craft, many accolades have been bestowed upon him, such as: Winner for ‘Best Milk Chocolate Bar’ – 2013 International Chocolate Salon Awards in Los Angeles; Winner for ‘Best Chocolate Boutique’ – 2013 Top Choice Awards in Calgary; Silver Award – 2015 International Academy of Chocolate Awards in London.
Bernard was the first North American to be bestowed the honour of “l’Ordre Internationale de la Gastronomie Francaise”, recognized by the French Government for outstanding contribution to the culinary arts. As the founder of Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut, he ran the organization for over 27 years. As Calgary’s very own father of chocolate, Bernard is now proud to present his offerings and newest creations.
This Episode Brought to You By:
- Sketch is a non-profit that connects homeless and marginalized youth with skill-building workshops and opportunities in the arts. Since 1996, this nationally recognized non-profit has welcomed and engaged over 18,000 young people. Just a $25 donation today can help a young person reach their full potential. Learn about the transformative power of the arts at Sketch.ca.
Time-Stamped Show Notes:
- 4:18 Chocolate is Bernard’s true passion. Chocolate was a part of his life, which started when he was young.
- 5:42 2007 was the high point of Bernard’s chocolate business. However, when the recession hit, he lost the whole company.
- 6:38 Bernard shares the story of how he went bankrupt and lost everything.
- 8:24 Eric talks about the subject of bankruptcy.
- 9:40 Going bankrupt is not an embarrassment for Bernard. According to him, bankruptcy is giving yourself a fresh start.
- 11:36 For people who have experienced bankruptcy, Bernard offers a very motivating message.
- 16:05 After losing his chocolate company in October of 2010, Bernard opened a new chocolate shop in December 2010.
- 18:21 According to Bernard, an excellent reputation with good quality and service are the things that can never be taken away from you even if you undergo bankruptcy.
- 20:54 In Bernard’s own opinion, not having an expert lawyer will put you in a bad position when going through the legal court system.
- 24:56 There are a couple of things that Bernard wanted to change with his business if he was given a chance.
- 27:38 Both Eric and Bernard give their views on the essence of the law of attraction.
- 30:46 Bernard emphasizes on the importance of self-improvement, continuous learning, and education.
- 33:36 A book about reinventing yourself by Arlene Dickinson is highly recommended by Bernard.
- 35:06 Bernard offers his advice on how to build a successful business.
- 38:52 Having the community and true friends supporting Bernard was very important to him during his rock-bottom moment.
This Episode Sponsored By:
- 15:59 Sketch is a community arts enterprise engaging diverse young people, ages 16-29, from across Canada, who live homeless or on the margins and navigate poverty to: experience the transformative power of the arts, build leadership and self-sufficiency in the arts, & cultivate social and environmental change through the arts. Learn about the transformative power of the arts at Sketch.ca.
- 30:50 The Man, the Myth, the Canadian Legend: Eric Gilbert-Williams. Eric put together this very podcast as a passion project to help you & others. If you’d be so kind to Subscribe & Leave a Written Review of the show, it’d really make our day! You can Subscribe & Rate our Podcast right here: From Rock Bottom to Rockin’ It.
Key Points from the Interview:
- “If you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it’s really not difficult to start again. Financially, yes. It’s simply, you want to do it, and ultimately to create something new.”
- “If you built a business over the years that has a tremendous reputation, good quality, good service, etc. If you have a really good reputation, that’s something they can never take away from you. That’s worth gold.”
