By: Linda Wilson
“It’s never too late to start living the life we want. It’s never too late for a second career, to approach a new lifestyle or project, and, of course, to start all over again,” said Colombia native Dhana Bunel, who now runs her catering service, Chez Graze.
Yet before she embraced the entrepreneurial role, Dhana was a stay-at-home mother who devoted her time and energy to caring for her son. Although she was grateful for the opportunity only a few mothers get to experience, she felt she lost a significant part of herself, professionally, as well as physically.
Despite her efforts to look after her child and be a good mother, some people still criticized her for giving up her career. Like other mothers across the globe, she knows how society can pressure mothers to be present to watch their children while keeping a job.
It was initially daunting, but Dhana eventually learned to trust herself and embrace her body. Her first step was to make her Instagram personal account public and share her passion for fashion with the world. It enabled her to create a community with other women who appreciated her style and positive outlook on how women can achieve their goals, no matter where they are in life.
After attending events with her young son, who has food allergies, Dhana saw a real need for innovation in the food industry. In 2023, she established Chez Graze, a catering company which offers healthy yet sumptuous charcuterie boards and tables.
“What kept me going was the assurance that I was creating something different, a first step or brick in a company that will help me and women like me who have to overcome this challenging moment of a woman’s life and get to the other side,” Dhana shared.
However, she wanted it to become more than just a catering service. She envisioned Chez Graze to become another platform that empowers women, especially mothers, to become financially independent and realize that they can take control of their lives at any given time.
To make this vision a reality, Dhana works alongside other woman-run businesses to grow her burgeoning catering empire. In the future, Dhana intends to share her process with other female entrepreneurs, and plans to franchise the Chez Graze business model.
“I was placing the first stones for something to build new foundations in this deceptive economy in order to help mothers and entire families to make their living with Chez Graze,” Dhana explained.
Chez Graze is currently working with large corporations, which remain confidential, as well as other companies and businesses such as Iris Optic, REMAX, BNP Paribas, Naturacoeur, and Maptitetchemise that trust the catering service to handle their corporate and private events.
Meanwhile, Dhana is already taking the necessary steps to ensure her business’s continuity in the long run.
For instance, she started significant partnerships with the appropriate groups to promote Chez Graze’s sustainable agenda. Dhana is currently working with local producers, such as organic farmers, to increase accessibility to fresh ingredients and minimize their carbon footprint. She is also working on establishing a purchasing center which will give a boost to the local economy.
Speaking of the locals, Dhana is also considering a collaboration with local government units and respective leaders who advocate health and sustainability.
If all goes accordingly, Chez Graze will become globally competitive and reach a broader audience that can appreciate healthy gourmet food while embracing women’s empowerment and sustainability.
Chez Graze has become a new life for Dhana, and she hopes it can be the same for other women.
“On this task, I will lead by example. I would not advise others. I will do it myself. I am taking all the chances and just doing it,” the influencer-turned-entrepreneur said.
As Dhana continues to lead women toward financial independence with her well-rounded catering service, she advises them to keep believing in their dreams because no matter how difficult the road ahead might be, nothing worth doing is ever easy.
Published by: Martin De Juan
