We had the good fortune of connecting with Journey Shannon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Journey, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My mother, father, and father figure were all self employed. I grew up that way. There were never talks about me following in their footsteps but one becomes, what one sees and experiences. As a child my mother and aunt had parties of celebration with great delicious food and music. I got caught up in the romance of it all and 35 years Noir d’Ebene was born. I bring people together and remind them that their life is worth celebrating and they are deserving of sweetness.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love arts and craft, creation. Taking something and making it more, noticing the beauty all around us and sharing in it, as its never ours to keep. I’ve been making chocolate from scratch for over ten years now. I went to Hawaii and met local chocolatiers Madre and then Manoa Chocolates. At that time I had finished culinary school and knew how to work with chocolate. They didn’t teach or hint that one can make chocolate. I thought that was only for the larger well known brands. Because of their (Madre, Manoa) generosity of sharing I learned how to make chocolate and my world opened up more. Chocolate is magical, beautiful, sensual and healing. I love being a part of that, inspiring happiness and pleasure and for one to smile and feel good, if just for a moment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Chicago is a great city that feels alive. By it being so there are too many great places to fall in love with just to name a few or to have favorites. China Town is mysterious with its many herbalist with cabinets filled with dirt, bark, roots, grass and such. Each new pastry or chocolate shop invites both pleasure in taste and vision. Then there is pizza, deep or thin crust. Museums, comedy clubs, jazz and blues music and tons of places to toast or dance, swing out. Each day would be filled my surprise and some days the simplicity of riding the CTA train from one part of town to the other. Food, we would see what’s new, hot, interesting and dive in. If the summer was our backdrop we would find ourself most days with feet and hips covered in sand.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Family – they have been team Noir since I began 25 years ago with hope in my heart. My mother and her husband help with ideas, time, money, kindness and patience. My sister and her husband, their children, cook, clean and work events and are great cheerleaders. My fiancé, for believing in me and getting excited, involved.

Family Focus Community Center – They gave me a space to create.

Staff – Their willingness to walk blindly with me, sometime, leading the way.

My Evanston Community – For supporting my dream with kind words, sharing my stories with friends and purchasing my creations.

Friends – For listening to me, sharing ideas, tasting the good and bad stuff, wiping tears, celebrating with me

Website: noirdebene.com

Instagram: NoirdebeneChicago

Facebook: facebook.com/noirdebenechocolate

Youtube: Noir d’Ebene

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.