One More Cocoa
One More Cocoa was born from founder Kenesha Lewis’s deep passion for chocolate, which has always been a place of comfort for her. In 2020, when the pandemic halted travel and disrupted her corporate job, Kenesha realized she wanted to dedicate her life to something she truly loved. This realization led her to turn her love for chocolate into a business. At first, she began making chocolates for family and friends, but with increasing demand and support, she officially launched One More Cocoa in 2021.
Kenesha named her business after the Jamaican proverb “One one cocoa, full basket,” as a way to connect with her Jamaican roots while perfectly symbolizing her journey, where small, consistent efforts have led to the creation of something special.
Chocolate Creations and Inspiration
Kenesha is a self-taught chocolatier, having learned through trial and error, and her determination to craft chocolates that she truly loves. Her first nine flavours were inspired by personal favourites, such as a lemon poppyseed loaf or her brother’s love for cereal, which inspired the creation of her unique cereal bar. Over time, she expanded her offerings based on customer demand, introducing new varieties like mint, fruit and nuts, and a Jamaican classic, rum and raisin.
The business has evolved beyond bars into bonbons, with vibrant designs and unique flavour profiles. Kenesha also takes pride in creating her own packaging designs, another skill she taught herself. Currently, her production process involves larger batches, with a focus on staying ahead of seasonal demand and ensuring creativity isn’t sacrificed for volume.
Operations and Growth
Kenesha initially didn’t plan on opening a retail store, but when the housing market surged, she opted to move into retail instead. In June 2021, she found a retail space in Whitby, which required significant renovations, and by September of that year, she opened for business. She now operates a thriving retail space that sees significant community engagement.
During the slower months, Kenesha runs the business by herself. However, she brings in students during busy periods, collaborating with local high schools and grant programs to offer meaningful opportunities for youth, particularly from Black and immigrant communities. Through programs offering subsidized wages, she hires students in marketing and culinary fields, contributing to their development while growing her team during peak seasons.
With the support of the Fair Finance Fund, Kenesha plans to purchase a larger tempering machine to scale production as demand continues to grow. She is also considering acquiring additional equipment from a chocolate business in Whitby that is closing down, with the goal of enhancing business efficiency and preparing for long-term growth.
Community and Impact
Whitby has embraced One More Cocoa, with locals frequenting the store and supporting Kenesha through collaborative food tours and events. Being part of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) has provided her with significant support, with members of the community even volunteering their time to help with tasks like building boxes.
One of Kenesha’s proudest moments came when a local teacher shared that one of their students had done a project on her business and its origin story, inspiring future entrepreneurs and food creators in the area. Her own young niece proudly shares her admiration for Kenesha’s entrepreneurial spirit, reminding her that her work goes beyond creating chocolates—it’s about creating a legacy.
Future Goals
Kenesha’s long-term vision is to stay in Whitby, expanding her product range to include sugar-free and dairy-free options and continuing to collaborate with local businesses. She is particularly excited about the Whitby Box, a collaboration with five different businesses in the area, where they contribute unique flavours to her chocolates.
With the new equipment funded by the Fair Finance Fund, Kenesha aims to increase production capacity, enhance business efficiency, and explore new, innovative products. Her ultimate goal is to build a sustainable, long-lasting business that not only satisfies customers' cravings for chocolate but also makes a meaningful impact in the community.
As Kenesha herself says, “If we can share chocolate, we can share joy!”
The financing will also enable improvements to the company’s online platform, focusing on user-friendly navigation and new features that will make it easier for customers to shop and engage with the brand. By investing in targeted digital marketing campaigns and forming new collaborations with local businesses, One More Cocoa aims to strengthen its presence in the community. The expansion is designed to create job opportunities, including transitioning part-time staff to full-time roles with benefits and bringing on additional part-time workers, thereby contributing to local economic stability.