Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Rojas.
Hi Cristina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Cristina Rojas, and although I was born and raised in Mexico, I’m half Mexican and half Puerto Rican — a blend that deeply shapes how I experience food, culture, and connection. Chocolate has always been part of my story. When I was little, my mom used to take us to a well-known chocolate boutique, and I remember walking in, smelling cacao in the air, and seeing chocolates displayed like jewelry. Choosing one felt special, almost magical. Cleotilde is my way of recreating that feeling.
My culinary journey began while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts at Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico, alongside studying Business Gastronomy at Le Cordon Bleu, where I deepened my love for chocolate and began experimenting with textures, crunch, and layered flavors through small-batch creations. My curiosity about food later led me to Harvard’s Science & Cooking program, which continues to influence the way I approach chocolate today — understanding flavor, structure, and transformation as both science and art.
I work exclusively with 100% Mexican chocolate because honoring its origin is essential to me. Every piece is handmade in small batches, making each creation intentional and unique. Cleotilde was born from a desire to reconnect with my roots and create something that connects emotionally with people. Becoming certified as a floral therapist inspired me to bring a more holistic and sensory dimension into my bonbons — creations meant to nurture, comfort, and spark joy.
After moving to San Antonio, I found support through friends and a community that truly values culture, creativity, and small businesses. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to begin sharing Cleotilde through local markets and personal connections. Today, I focus on online orders and local markets, allowing me to connect directly with customers while growing the brand organically and keeping every product handmade and personal. Watching people experience the chocolates and form emotional connections with them has become one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.
Yellow has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember, and Cleotilde carries that same energy: joy, elegance, playfulness, connection, warmth, diversity, and culture. To me, Cleotilde represents a nurturing feminine energy that exists within all of us — resilient, warm, loving, and caring. More than chocolate, Cleotilde is an invitation to pause, reconnect with yourself, share with others, and experience cacao con alma
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe everything has its ups and downs, and what matters most is how you choose to see and respond to what happens. For me, every experience is an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. I don’t really like to think in terms of obstacles or challenges — it’s more about understanding that sometimes things unfold differently than expected, and the important part is asking what we can learn and how we move forward. Holding on to frustration doesn’t help, and when something is outside of your control, the only option is to keep going.
Building something so personal has meant learning to trust both the process and myself while wearing many hats — creator, maker, marketer, and entrepreneur — and growing through each step along the way.
Balancing the artistic side of chocolate with the realities of running a business has also been a learning experience. Because everything is handmade and intentional, growth requires patience and discipline, especially when choosing to prioritize quality and authenticity over speed.
There have been moments when I’ve felt overwhelmed or questioned whether I should keep going, but every time I get close to giving up, I realize how much I truly love sharing chocolate with others and creating experiences that bring people joy. That reminder always brings me back to my purpose.
Moving to a new city and building a community from zero was another meaningful experience. Sharing Cleotilde through local markets pushed me outside my comfort zone, but it also became one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. Friends have played a beautiful role in this process as well — from helping me set up tents at markets to supporting me during long days, reminding me that building a dream is never done alone. Connecting directly with people, hearing their stories, and seeing their emotional reactions to the chocolates continues to remind me why I started.
Cleotilde has taught me resilience, patience, and trust — understanding that every experience, even the unexpected ones, helps shape both the journey and the person you become.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved art, design, and painting — creating has always been my way of expressing myself, and today chocolate has become my medium. Through Cleotilde, I create handmade chocolates using 100% Mexican cacao, blending texture, flavor, and emotion to create moments of joy and connection.
My background in graphic design shapes the brand, which feels like my canvas. Yellow — my favorite color for as long as I can remember — represents warmth and celebration and guides Cleotilde’s identity from packaging to presentation.
Each bonbon is finished with flowers, the chocolate bars are poured by hand, and the enjambre bites are individually shaped, preserving the artisanal nature of every piece.
I’m most proud of creating something deeply personal that connects people through chocolate. What sets my work apart is intention — every detail is designed to turn chocolate into an experience, not just a treat.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe intention has been the most important quality in my journey. I approach everything I create with purpose, always thinking about how it will make people feel — warm, sweet, peaceful, and created with heart. I’m constantly looking for ways to improve and refine my work to offer something unique and beautiful in every detail. Staying curious and trusting the process has allowed me to grow while remaining true to my vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cleotildecacao.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleotilde.cacao
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSFwzvKCw/
