OUR STORY
Cocoa’s mission is to create a more sustainable world by encouraging consumers to be conscious of the impact of their purchases.
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Upon returning home with a new understanding of the world, Tiana started integrating more sustainable and ethical practices into her life. However, she was constantly struggling to find products and vendors that were good both for people and the planet. This prompted Tiana to start a business that would help herself and others make more informed and positive purchases.
Alas, in September of 2019 Tiana finally went to work; and, with time and planning, Cocoa was born. Looking for a team of passionate individuals to back her dream, Tiana hoped to recruit a 3-5 people for her team. But, after receiving over 30 applications, Cocoa shifted from being just a dream to a reality.
Today, the new start-up is in developmental stages and is run by Tiana and her co-owner Andrew Kerr. Cocoa is preparing to launch its mobile application in the near future and hopes to contribute to making our local and global community a better place for all.
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In August of 2016, then 15-year-old Tiana Thomas, Cocoa's founder and co-owner, took her first international volunteer trip. She ventured off to the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador with the Me to We organization.
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It was during this trip that Tiana was exposed to the reality of poverty for the first time. In fact, after speaking to local indigenous populations who grew commodities for Western vendors (i.e. cacao beans), Tiana began understanding how consumers in Western countries have an international impact. It was from this experience that Cocoa's foundation and name arose.