We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maria Teresa Gomez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maria Teresa below.
Maria Teresa , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I started developing my confidence and self-esteem in my 40s. It was a journey that came from life experience, learning to embrace my true self, and letting go of the need for perfection. I began to recognize my strengths, value my voice, and stop apologizing for taking up space. Through challenges, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and self-reflection, I realized that confidence isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting yourself enough to keep going. And that shift changed everything.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Maria Teresa Gómez – an award-winning author, chocolate treat maker, and founder of Casa Chocolate. I specialize in creating handcrafted gourmet treats like chocolate caramel apples, cake pops, and more. But beyond the sweets, my mission is to bring joy, creativity, and cultural pride to every event, celebration, and workshop.
What makes Casa Chocolate special is that it’s more than a business—it’s a reflection of my passion, heritage, and love for storytelling through food. I also lead hands-on chocolate-making workshops where I get to connect with families, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, and encourage them to embrace their creativity.
One of the most exciting chapters right now is the process of writing my third book, Escucha a tu niña interior, which is deeply personal and rooted in healing and reflection. I’m also focused on expanding my workshops and collaborating more with schools and community spaces to inspire and uplift others through creativity and entrepreneurship.
In addition to my business, I also serve as the Social Media Chair for the National Latina Business Women Association – San Diego (NLBWA-SD), where I help share stories, highlight community impact, and promote opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Whether it’s a sweet treat, a story, or a workshop, everything I do is guided by heart, culture, and purpose.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three key qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey were resilience, creativity, and community connection.
Resilience – Life doesn’t always go as planned. From personal challenges to closing my storefront and starting over, resilience helped me keep going even when things felt uncertain. My advice: don’t be afraid of starting again. Every setback holds a lesson that prepares you for the next chapter.
Creativity – Whether I’m designing a treat, writing a book, or hosting a workshop, creativity allows me to express myself and bring joy to others. For anyone just starting, I encourage you to explore and trust your creative voice—your originality is your superpower.
Community connection – My biggest growth has come from building relationships—with clients, parents, students, and fellow entrepreneurs. Don’t underestimate the power of showing up, giving back, and collaborating. Support often comes from the most unexpected places when you’re connected to community.
My advice: Stay curious, stay open, and trust your timing. Growth takes time, but every small step adds up.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge I’m currently facing is managing my time and energy while juggling multiple responsibilities. Between running Casa Chocolate, writing my next book, working in education, and supporting community initiatives, it can be difficult to stay balanced and fully present in each role.
To work through this, I’ve been focusing on setting clearer boundaries, creating a realistic schedule, and being intentional about rest and self-care. I’m also learning to delegate more and simplify where I can, so I can give my best to what matters most. It’s a learning process, but I’ve found that small adjustments make a big difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.casachocolatesd.com
- Instagram: @casachocolatesd / @mariateresagomezz
- Facebook: @casachocolatesd
- Other: TikTok: @casachocolatesd
Image Credits
Blanka Villalobos @blankavfotografia
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