Paola Andrea Carlson, Owner and CEO Pochis Sweet Designs and Pochis Colombian Cafe, arrived to the U.S. from Colombia six years ago with a bag of luggage, her daughter Gabriela, dog Yoda, and a heart full of dreams and ambitions.
After a few years of being at home and learning English, Carlson started her business, working with the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan during the pandemic to bring her hobby of decorating bottles and making chocolate covered strawberries and macaroons to the community, hosting sales online and at local fairs and festivals.
Through hard work and perseverance, Carlson's successes have continued to mount. In 2021, she won Start Garden's 5x5 in Spanish, and in 2022, she was honored as a Brilliance Awards Brilliant Entrepreneur nominee and added five of her products to over 250 Meijer stores, in turn generating employment for more than 320 single mothers in Carlson's native country. She also spearheaded the city's first Colombian Festival.
In January 2023, Carlson opened the doors of the first Colombian Cafe in the city, which quickly became a meeting center for many cultures, especially Colombian. As of February, the cafe became known as Pochis Colombian Restaurant & Café, a restaurant offering a wide variety of typical Colombian dishes (which are 100% gluten free) and incredible Colombian coffee, known as the best in the world.
Carlson's company motto ("We love what we do") and her mission ("If you can't go to Colombia, we will bring you Colombia!") serve as a marker for her passion and dedication to her culture and community.
Where does your passion for creating delicious treats come from?
My passion for creating our food, desserts and sweets that I import comes from wanting to make our Colombian culture and customs known in Michigan; the passion for wanting to make my country known in this state and wanting to share the variety and flavors that characterize us!
You're competing in the upcoming American Cancer Society Taste of Hope Chef's Competition! Tell us about the event and why you're excited to be involved.
We are happy to participate in this good cause, helping to raise money to help people with cancer who need our help to have the hope of continuing with their dreams. We also know that we are going to delight all attendees with a unique and flavor-rich meal originating in Colombia!
Where can folks find and enjoy everything Pochis Sweet Designs has to offer? What else would you like to share?
You can find us at Pochis Colombian Restaurant & Café at 44 Ionia SW Downtown in Grand Rapids and our coffee and sweets at 261 Meijer stores! Don't forget to support us by buying our products at Meijer, since by buying there, you help us support and provide employment to the 320 single mothers in Colombia. If you're looking for unique, original, 100% gluten-free food that's natural and full of flavor, visit our restaurant and learn a little about our culture in the heart of Grand Rapids.
Edited by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the Aug/Sep '24 issue of West Michigan Woman.
Photo courtesy of Isabel Studios.
