Ep 50 - Building Resilience through Adversity with Peace by Chocolate Founder Tareq Hadhad

Facing challenges and adversities is a part of life, but how do you overcome them?

Tareq Hadhad, Founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, triumphed over life-changing adversities to build his business in a new country. He shares his inspiring story and the guiding principles that shaped his business’ success.

We have challenges we face in life. Having the right mindset helps you overcome the challenges. 

My guest today has had unbelievable obstacles in his family’s life. Their successful business was destroyed by bombs. They were displaced from the country of their birth. They moved to Canada, a country they had never been to before, to start a new life.

By combining entrepreneurship and the principles that matter most to them, they’ve not only built a successful business, but a business that gives back to the community and the world everyday. 

Meet Tareq Hadhad, the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate. 

In 2012, the Hadhad’s home and factory that housed the family chocolate-making business were destroyed which forced them to seek safety in other countries. A former medical student at Damascus University and long-time peacekeeping advocate, Tareq joined medical relief efforts after arriving in Lebanon. A new life began when Tareq and his family were welcomed to Canada on a community-based sponsorship. 

Passionate about peace and entrepreneurship, his family relaunched the family business to recreate the chocolates they once exported across the Middle East and their story has turned into an international inspiring phenomenon.

Author Jon Tattrie wrote a book about the Hadhad’s story which has become a bestseller. A feature film, Peace by Chocolate, also based on the family’s story, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and launched in Cineplex theaters across. 

Tareq speaks on the compelling story of his family, the positive impact of newcomers, and the spirit of resiliency, entrepreneurship and giving back.

Tareq and I talk about:

• His story
• How your journey in entrepreneurship is part of a much larger story that’s bigger than you!
• Understanding the value of people in your business - from clients to employees
• Your ROK (Return on Kindness) is more important than your ROI
• The importance of your values in leadership. 

What adversities have you gone through in your business? We all have a story and I’d love to hear yours! Let’s have a virtual coffee and talk about it. 

Schedule a virtual coffee with me using the form on the right.