Ingrid Laederach Steven

 

Ingrid Laederach Steven is recognized by Continental Who’s Who as a Pinnacle Professional in recognition of her work as a Chocolatier. Swiss-Master Chocolatier is a Toronto-based chocolate shop priding itself on high quality chocolates and gifts. Recently celebrating its 30th anniversary, Swiss-Master has been a fixture in the Toronto area. Holding in high esteem offering their customers quality products, Steven believes that “it is important to always have products that cater to “customer taste” and “to make people feel a bit better and happier when he or she leaves the store.”

Owner and Operator of Swiss-Master Chocolatier, Steven has amassed over 30 years of industry experience. With high quality and personalized service, Steven states that “our chocolates are flown in to Toronto from family-run LäderachChocolatier, who retails across Switzerland. We also import specialty items from other famous Swiss chocolatiers.” Steven is responsible for all aspects of running her finely tuned shop “similar to a Swiss watch,” she laughs. She also deals with suppliers, arranges for shipments, deals with customs duties, and serves as a translator and she handled all negotiations. She says that “interaction” with customers on a day to day basis, working with staff, and decorating her store are all also very important. Steven attended the Richemont Culinary School in Switzerland, and also attended courses in the United States.

To further her professional development, Steven has been a board member of the Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce for six years and still is an active member to this day. In recognition of her professional achievements, Steven has been awarded the title “Retailer of the Year” numerous times by her local Chamber of Commerce and other organizations, and was chosen as “Canada’s Poster Child for Small Business” by the Federal Government. She also received congratulatory messages from Canada’s Prime Minister, as well as the Premier of Ontario, in honor of the store’s 30-year anniversary. She was featured in Women of Distinction Magazine where she graced the front cover, has been written up many times throughout the years in the newspapers, not to mention television interviews throughout Canada as well as Switzerland. Swiss-Master was named 1999 Retailer of the Year. She dedicates this recognition to her family, and thanks them for their support. Steven credits her family which she says makes life in every way the most rewarding. They are the “icing on the cake of life”. For more information, visit www.swissmaster.com.