(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Since launching Michele Foods forty years ago, South Holland native Michele Hoskins has transformed her family's cherished syrup recipe into an accomplished empire.
Hoskins' products are on the shelves of nearly 7,000 stores, including Walmart, Target, Kroger, Mariano’s and Jewel-0sco, which was the first store to showcase her products.
A divorced mother of three from Chicago’s South Side, Hoskins began selling the syrup in 1984. The secret recipe spans four family generations, beginning with her great, great-grandmother who concocted the syrup as a freed slave in the late 1800s.
Hoskins told WBBM her great, great-grandmother came up with the recipe while working as a cook for the family that she was raised in. The family did not like molasses, so she made a syrup out of honey, churned butter and crème.
The recipe was then passed down to the third daughters of future generations, one of which included Hoskins' mother. Since Hoskins herself was the only daughter, she did not receive the recipe until she had her third daughter.
After reading that the 80s was going to be the decade of the woman, Hoskins felt inspired to create her own business centered around the honey crème. She said her family was skeptical at first.
"No one really believed it could happen, and I had the belief that anything the mind can conceive could manifest if I put some hard work behind it," Hoskins recalled.
After several rounds of formulating and trying to figure out the right packaging, Hoskins was on her way.
She told WBBM her family became believers.
"They saw the effort turning into reality...Everyone kind of got behind me and became very supportive," Hoskins said.
Jewel-Osco was the first grocery store to sell her syrup. That was in 1984. Forty years later, Hoskins' product continues to be sold in all Jewel-Osco stores.
Today, Michele Foods produces a maple crème syrup, honey crème syrup and a butter pecan syrup.
“I tell people anything can be conceived with hard work and perseverance, and anything you want can be accomplished if you believe in it and have faith,” Hoskins said.
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