There are two things that Aurora’s Ome Enebeli and her daughter Daniella are particularly passionate about: traveling and snacks.
Prior to Covid-19, the duo spent much of their free time traveling and exploring new cultures and treats from across the world.
And, on March 13, 2020, they were at Denver International Airport preparing to board a flight for their next adventure, a tropical cruise, when they got the call so many did at the start of the pandemic.
They were instructed by the cruise company not to board their flight, as the trip had been cancelled.
In the place of travel, Ome and sixth-grader Daniella have spent much of the last 12 months reminiscing about the good times they had, recalling the snacks they’ve eaten and the places they’ve been to.
During one of their conversations, Daniella told her mom about an idea for a business that combined their two passions.
“Since no one can travel, we can create snack boxes so they feel like they can travel from their home,” Ome said she recalled Daniella telling her.
While Ome had never started her own business, she’s an HR professional and wanting to indulge her daughter’s dreams, she began looking into the logistics of the budding idea.
“When we started, we needed to assess if it was possible, it’s just me and her,” Ome said with a laugh. “I’m filtering everything to see what we can do budget wise.”
Soon after, Ome and Daniella started Snack Voyage, an Aurora-based subscription box company that delivers international snacks to your doorstep.
With a variety of subscription choices, Snack Voyage offers monthly boxes that contain 12 snacks from either one country, or from a variety of countries. But, the mother and daughter team aim to deliver more than just sweet and salty snacks, they’re trying to recapture the magic of travel.
With each snack box, subscribers receive a flag, a boarding pass to rank their snacks and a tourist guide with information on the country and snacks they’re eating.
After launching in August 2020, Ome said she’s enjoyed connecting with her daughter over this new business. While they have largely different personalities — Ome admits that she’s loud and Daniella is modest — they both have bonded over Snack Voyage.
“The business is our special bonding, it’s the one thing we agree on and are on the same page on,” she said. “When you have a tween, it’s hard to find that spot when you bond with them.”
Under Ome’s supervision, Daniella has handled much of building the business, from designing the initial website to creating graphics for the snack boxes.
Whether this entrepreneurial spirit leads her to a career in the startup world is yet to be seen, but Ome isn’t pushing her one way or the other.
“I want to be able to give her a choice, so that will depend on her,” she said. “I want her to know, whatever you choose to do, I have your back and you can achieve it, you just have to work hard.”
When it’s safe to travel again, Ome and Daniella have already circled France as their first stop in their travel bucket list.
For now, they’ll stick to Snack Voyage, offering a new, at-home travel experience.
“Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive, let us bring the countries to you,” she said. “We’re much more than snacks, we’re a travel experience.”
