Hey there. Thank you for visiting our website. My name is Maria Ayala, from Colombia. I am passionate about nature and animals. With my background and experience as a psychologist and educator, I founded a small business dedicated to empowering communities and minority groups across Colombia—many of which have been deeply affected by decades of armed conflict. I believe education is a powerful bridge between cultures, fostering understanding and raising awareness of the resilience, heritage, and knowledge these communities continue to preserve despite such challenges.
Sustainability lies at the core of our mission. We are committed to environmentally responsible practices that protect rainforest ecosystems and support agroforestry systems. By sourcing our ingredients directly from these communities, we help create stable, dignified economic opportunities while contributing to the preservation of their land, livelihoods, and cultural legacy.
Cocoa sourced by small farmers and crafted locally.
Some of our partners are small cocoa producers in the Colombian region of Nariño. This tropical rainforest area near the equator has exceptional conditions for growing cocoa, harvesting, and supplying us throughout the year.
My story as a beginner chocolatier
Recently in my life, I embraced the opportunity to become an artisan chocolatier and in some way, a bridge between local communities to show the richness of our Latin American countries around the world. The chocolate and natural handcrafts we bring to the U.S. are unique and traded directly from small aboriginal and African-Colombian communities.
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Commitment to sustainability
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to sustainability. We prioritize environmentally friendly practices by sourcing our products from small communities in Colombia, and in the future from other countries in Latin America. We work with small communities that follow traditional practices to preserve rainforest areas and diverse ecosystems.
Chocolate Workshops
We offer an immersive chocolate workshop where participants explore the rich history and art of chocolate, create their own delicious confections, and taste a variety of exquisite chocolate treats. Perfect for dark chocolate lovers of all ages, this hands-on experience combines education, creativity, and indulgence in a fun and interactive setting
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Improving entrepreneurial skills
Getting to know the business world in the United States, I participated as a small business owner at CobraVenture in Parkland College (Champaign, Illinois). Continuing training keeps us up to date to address the world’s challenges.