Food & Beverage

In Founder Focus, we introduce entrepreneurs and innovators working on our next generation of new business startups, social enterprises, and small businesses.

Can you tell us a bit about your business?

Ao Cacao is a unique conscious chocolate experience. Building on the 3 Michelin star global experience we have, our goal is simple : to educate, innovate, and deliver the ultimate conscious chocolate experience to our customers.

What is conscious chocolate? We call our blend conscious chocolate because we feel that the chocolate industry for centuries has been misguided with smoke and mirrors regarding ethics. We believe in full transparency in the chocolate-making process, including traceability of where our beans came from, who picked and farmed our cacao, paying above fair trade prices, and giving back to our farmers to create a chocolate circular economy.

We only work with Pacific cacao, as indigenous chocolate makers, because we are the change we wish to see.

What’s the backstory for your business idea?

Coming from a diverse background of Jewish and Māori heritage, our founder is a son of a baker and a descendant of the famous Wright’s Dairy from Chelsea in London. He started his career over a decade ago as a pastry chef and chocolatier, training in London and overseas, working up to 3 Michelin stars.

Tom’s dream was always to create a chocolate brand that delivers on everything it promises—from taste and aesthetics to ethical business practices and community support.

What programmes, learning, or mentoring have been of assistance so far?

• Read… Read… Read… never stop absorbing knowledge, but remember knowledge is useless unless applied. Filter what you need from everything you learn and apply it.
• Push yourself into uncomfortable situations that benefit your growth, such as an accelerator or mentorship. A dream without action is just a dream.
• Don’t be afraid to fail. Trial and error are key to growth, and what you do today might not be what you do next year. Progression is vital, and these steps are necessary to reach your desired levels.
• Book : Atomic Habits by James Clear is a major game changer for me.

Supporter Spotlight : Offers and services from NZ Entrepreneur supporters!

#J-18808-Ljbffr