Call Us 619-504-2651Many of you know that Nada Adjadj and her company SoBelle Chocolate Favors have hit the luxury wedding market and blazed a trail being featured in the company of such wedding power-house brand names as Colin Cowie , Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine and many more. What many may not know, however, is the personal side of Ms. Adjadj, and her journey , adding to the heart and soul of the story of SoBelle and making it what it has become and will continue to be.
Where were you born and raised?
Being born the daughter of a Regional Marketing Director of Pepsi Cola International, my father’s career required that we move around constantly. Given that we spent the majority of my childhood in Lebanon, I consider it home. However, I was fortunate enough to live in various countries including Kuwait, Greece and vibrant cities such as Dubai, Montreal and now beautiful Sunny San Diego which I proudly call home.
How did you get into the wedding/event /favor/ chocolate world?
There is a significant history behind the concept of customized decorated chocolate favors. Customized decorated chocolate favors are a staple in my home country of Lebanon as well as some European countries. In these countries, it is inevitable that a host will serve their guest beautifully-decorated chocolate favors at signature events, whether it be a wedding, graduation, religious occasion, baby shower, bridal shower, or other large gathering.
What do you love most about what you do?
I am so fortunate to be part of my clients’ happy occasions, not only in San Diego but around the world. Whatever the event is: a wedding, baby shower or joyous occasion, I take great pleasure in working with clients listening to their unique ideas, then taking their thoughts and transforming them into a uniquely creative, customized piece of chocolate. I have the ability to take abstract concepts and manifest these ideas in the form of a beautiful handcrafted chocolate favor. It’s the process of creating and interacting with my clientele that I value the most.
What is your top recommendation (or number one most popular) favor/chocolate for your clients?
There really is no “one” most popularly-requested favor because we literally custom-create every design for each client. I always invite my clients to be as expressive as possible. If you have theme boards, visions boards, pictures and other visuals that serve as an inspiration for your event, please share them with me. At SoBelle we are not only creative but resourceful. Often times after we are given visuals and theme inspirations, it triggers creative and innovative ideas on our design side. Clients who have gone the extra step and shared these visuals with us are often astounded at how well we were able to stick to their theme and further execute their ideas. The most common reaction we get in these instances like this is, “Wow we didn’t know you could do that!”
What is something that people may not know about your chocolates? SoBelle chocolates are Belgium chocolates. All the ingredients are Belgium, and are made in a chocolate factory which is located in Lebanon, and equipped with 100% Swiss machinery. Our factory is state of the art and sets the bar for the industry standard. SoBelle chocolates are not only made with the best ingredients, the manner in which they are manufactured enhances the quality of chocolate and truly makes our chocolates the best in the world.
Where has been your favorite place to live?
I am so fortunate to be living in San Diego, one of the finest cities in the world. With glorious weather, beautiful scenery and a flourishing city that has recently attracted a diverse group of people from all walks of life, I feel blessed to be part of this vibrant place. San Diego, California is now home and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Where have you traveled to that you simply must return to?
Since a young age I was fortunate enough to travel around with my family and mainly spent our summers in Europe. There is something magnetic about each country I have visited, however my mind always goes back to Italy. On my travels I fell in love with Italy. From the Italian culture, architecture, impeccable scenery, welcoming Italian people, and the beautiful language and of course the delicious Italian cuisine I found it all to be intoxicating. Italy has captured my attention and I simply must return.
What are your hobbies? What do you love to do most when not producing lovely edible art for your clients?
I am by nature a very social person. I find the most valuable part of life to be my interactions with others. I value family and my friendships above all things, so when I am not crafting chocolate favors, I am spending quality time with my loved ones.
What makes you feel most alive?
I feel most alive when I am giving back. Personally I do a lot of volunteer and community outreach. I am in my essence when I am working with others for a common good. In addition to my personal volunteer work, SoBelle has sponsored numerous charity and other non-profits. It is only through serving others that I am able to feel truly complete.
What is the one thing most people may not know about you?
I have dreamt of starting SoBelle for almost 26 years, and every time I was about to start the business I would have to relocate. Finally, once I was stable and knew that San Diego would be home indefinitely, I was able to start SoBelle. My dream of starting SoBelle finally came to fruition eight years ago and I got my first order where a local non-profit order two thousand pieces of chocolate for their 50th Anniversary dinner event. After eight years I have not lost my zeal, and in fact watching my business grow and flourish has been surreal. I am so grateful to do what I love and look forward to the future with excitement.
