Today we’d like to introduce you to Maurice Ahern.
Hi Maurice, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I first got my love of baking from my grandmother and my father. Whenever they were baking at home, I was usually close by, tasting or helping. Later in life, while I was interning for a president of a college, their personal chef asked if I could give him a hand baking. Everyone liked what I baked and next thing I know, I’m no longer an intern, but an assistant to the chef. The next 18 years, I would see myself working in various positions, under various chefs and restaurants.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not, but then again, what road in Texas is smooth? I think life is much like the roads here, sometimes smooth, other times a bit bumpy, and then the occasional pothole surprise that knocks your alignment out or sends you to the shop with a flat tire!
So as for the bumps and potholes, they really started in 2010 when my family moved to China to be full-time language students. Three weeks after we arrived, I discovered my dad had stage 4 Lymphoma. Initially, he went into remission but then 8 months later it came back worse. While we were making plans to help my mother, my son started having unusual symptoms known as Horner’s Syndrome. We had him looked at by a neurologist and found out he had neuroblastoma. This was a huge surprise! Now we were dealing with two cancers! Eight years ago, my dad passed to cancer, 5 years ago my son, and four years ago I went through a divorce.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
While I love food, my real passion is baking and pastry. I love the experience a baked good creates and the amazing artistry one can put into this craft. After my son passed, I started Gold Ribbon Confections, a bakery that specializes in a wide array of sweets. The gold ribbon stands for childhood cancer and we give back to various cancer causes.
How do you define success?
Some people define success in terms of fame or finances. I think these things could come with success, but are not defining qualities. For example, if a child inherits a mass of wealth from his deceased parents, is he now successful? What if this child is a deadbeat?
I would argue success is linked to character and attitude. I believe knowing who you are, being confident in that, and persevering, when the odds seem stacked against are vital characteristics. I also believe success comes from realizing the importance of people and investing in them. You can’t take anything with you when you die, but the investments you make in people, especially those closest to you, can reach generations.
Contact Info:
- Email: Maurice@grconfections.com
- Website: www.groundsandgold.com; www.grconfections.com
- Instagram: @groundsandgoldco; @goldribbonconfections
- Facebook: @groundsandgoldco; @grconfections
- Twitter: @AhernMo
- Yelp: yelp.com/biz/grounds-and-gold-arlington
