A Sweet Start
Chocolate. The word itself kickstarts a movie reel of memories in my mind. I like to think that chocolate is part of my DNA. Growing up, I learned to love chocolate in just about every form. Bars, brownies, sauces and snacks... Each one tied to a cherished memory or a person.
It started early. A journal entry from 1997.
Some of my earliest memories include chocolate. I remember visiting my great aunt, Tante Nonneke (She was a nun, so we literally called her ‘Aunt Nun’.). She would always have a sweet treat on hand for me, mostly Kinder Chocolate bars. Though I was shy and generally anxious about family visits, I always looked forward to those in particular. Another childhood memory that I often re-create when visiting family includes a favorite restaurant down the street from my godmother’s house. — They make their own ice cream fresh every day. — We would order some to-go, take it home, and melt chocolate chips and cream together to create the most delicious sauce known to man. Family — parents, cousins, aunts and uncles — would all sit around laughing, talking, and playing games while delighting in our homemade sundaes.
Growing up, I dreamt of owning a candy shop. It started as a childish desire to have access to any and all sweets whenever my little heart desired. As I grew older, however, the dream remained and grew with me.
In 2017, I graduated from a MBA program that drastically changed my perspective on life. The program focused predominantly on global economic development. I’d always known that I’ve been afforded a great deal of privilege in life, but never thought I could do anything to provide others with the accessibility and resources they need to survive and thrive. This program, along with my amazing cohort, opened my eyes to a world full of people and businesses seeking to use their skills and passions to connect, build relationships, and create meaningful opportunities that allow people across the globe to flourish. Both during and after the program, I began to think about what my role could be in this newly discovered world. How could I put my passions and talents to use in a way that honors and serves others?
The simple answer? Chocolate.
Me and a few of my cohort from grad school!
Presently, children and adults are trafficked and forced to work in cacao farms. Big, well-known chocolate brands promised to put an end to child slavery years ago, but have done little to abate the problem. With inadequate certification processes and little to no inspections and accountability, the horror of slavery is allowed to live on in the name of cheap, accessible chocolate.
Upon learning these facts, I realized that I, as the consumer, have the power to impact this industry. My dollar is my vote, and I cast many each day. Then I began to think, how much more of an impact could I have if I not only purchased good chocolate, but made it and shared it with my loved ones? What if I could use tasty treats to start a conversation, to educate, to spark change?
Today I am a couple years shy of 30 and living in the middle of a cultural and medical pandemic (not to mention an economic crisis…), and I have decided it’s time to make this childhood dream a reality. Unity, equity and awareness are fought for in nearly every corner of society right now, and I’d like to join the fight while spreading some light. That being said, my goal here is to spread sunshine one small batch at a time!
