For women like us who have spent numerous years creating our identities around our work or our families, taking a step in a new direction can feel like a katydid molting its exoskeleton. It’s unsettling and liberating in equal measures, possibly painful–we can’t ask the katydid–and we suspect, itchy.
Here we share stories of women who have scratched a new itch. We hope these stories may provide the insight and encouragement for others to leave their old skin–familiar and easy as it is–and go into a new world a little naked and scared. But not alone.
Read stories of other women who have reinvented themselves here.
Today, we’re happy to highlight the work of Doreen Pendgracs of Manitoba, Canada.
What kind of work or passion are you pursuing now?
I am “Doreen the Chocolate Queen,” fondly nicknamed that by one of my readers. I am a non-fiction writer and author who has been immersed in the world of chocolate and cacao for the past 10 years. I’ve written an award-winning book about the world of chocolate and am currently working on the second volume in the series. I have a blog about the world of chocolate travel, and I hope to soon be leading small group custom chocolate tours to some of my favorite chocolate destinations.
How old were you when you began in this new direction?
53
What did you do before you made this change?
I was an insurance underwriter who was downsized out of my corporate job—twice. In 1990, I was retrained in communications at the local community college. What a blessing that was! I learned journalism and creative writing and loved it. When the second round of job cuts at my employer became evident in 1993, I accepted a buyout package and became a freelance writer. In 1997, I edged my way into the enticing world of travel writing. It was my goal to write a book about wine travel—two of my favorite passions. After doing extensive market research, I learned that had been broadly written about. But no one had ever written about chocolate travel … and what a delicious and enlightening journey that has been!
What prompted you to make this change?
At first, I intended to just write about the best chocolate of the world. That included focusing on the places it was being created, and the innovative and passionate people who were creating the chocolate. But once I began investigating chocolate, I realized that so many people knew nothing about where chocolate came from or how it was grown and processed. It’s now been my mission to educate, entertain, and inspire chocolate lovers to gain greater knowledge of the world of chocolate through travel.
What from your previous work or life situation helped you in your reinvention?
I’ve always loved to travel. But having a mission makes it much more fun, exciting, and rewarding. My writing helps cocoa farmers as I encourage chocolate lovers to travel to places where cacao is grown, and to seek out and purchase sustainable chocolate that helps support cocoa growing families, the artisan chocolate industry, and the environment.
Read More: Meet the Master Distiller of Hendrick’s Gin Who Revolutionized Your Cocktails
What were the biggest obstacles you had to overcome?
One of my biggest obstacles is that I am an independent writer and publisher from the boonies. I live in Manitoba, Canada, about one hour north of my hometown of Winnipeg. Many people outside of Canada have no idea where that is, and so in some people’s eyes, that gives me less credibility. Living in the boonies also makes international travel more difficult and expensive. I therefore must do freelance writing for publications to give me the broader reach that encourages destinations to supplement the cost of my travel to their locations so that I can include them in my research and write about them.
Doreen after being covered in molten chocolate during a spa treatment at the Pure Jungle Spa in Costa Rica.
Being slathered in molten chocolate is just some of the fun you can have on a Chocolatour! I’m pictured above at the Pure Jungle Spa in Costa Rica. Best chocolate spa treatment I’ve had to date, and one of the reasons I love Cost Rica so much.
How are you overcoming them?
By creating top-quality content for both my own site and books, as well as other independent markets, I’ve proven [to chocolate companies] that it’s worth spending the money to bring me to off-the-beaten path destinations so that I can share their stories. My passion shows in my writing and that helps bring more readers to my own site as well as to the publications for whom I write.
What fears did you have to face?
I don’t let fear influence my actions. I’ve always believed that what I do is important and will sustain me.
What kind of support did you receive in your reinvention?
I strongly believe in the power of networking. I’m the national president of the Professional Writers Association of Canada. I’m also a member of The Writers Union of Canada, the North American Travel Journalists Association, and Toastmasters International. Each of these organizations has helped me develop and polish my skills and raise my profile. I now have the opportunity to be a speaker and judge at various chocolate events around the world, and to curate and host chocolate tastings. I just may have the very best job in the world, and it’s all as a result of reinventing myself following layoff.
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How have you grown or how has your life improved as a result of taking on this new pursuit?
I have the opportunity to travel the world and experience chocolate and cacao in various forms. I’ve had experiences that run the full gamut, from staying with cocoa farmers in Peru who don’t have electricity and live very primitively, to staying at over-the-top chocolate resorts that blew my mind.
What advice would you give to other women at this age who are looking to reinvent themselves?
Don’t be afraid to try something new! When I lost my corporate job, I had to create an entirely new identity. I’d always been “Doreen from MPIC” (the company where I worked for 18 years). All of a sudden, I was just Doreen. Travel writing opened my door to the world. My confidence and curiosity enabled me to focus my skills on creating a whole new identity that is much more rewarding and deliciously enticing than any corporate job could ever be.
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