Interview: Pashmina Lalchandani, CEO of Bar & Cocoa

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"I don’t think sustainability should break down at the last mile."

-Pashmina Lalchandani, CEO of Bar & Cocoa

Pashmina kinda started Bar & Cocoa "by accident," with co-founder and former co-owner Chris Lacey, back when they were offering craft chocolate subscription boxes under the name "ChocoRush." Fast forward half a decade and a few big moves, and Pashmina is now running one of the world's largest online craft chocolate retailers, offering nearly 80 makers & 800+ products. Each brand was carefully chose by Pashmina herself; she's even helped many of them get FDA certification for their products.

The company's selection is growing quickly, and with the holidays coming up, I wanted to make sure we all have a better sense of the mammoth that a retail business can be— even if they haven't physically seen any customers in nearly a year. So in this interview, Pashmina & I dig into global warming, social-based marketing, and adjusting in the middle of the pandemic. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it.

To read more about craft chocolate, check out my resource page for chocolate lovers, or my article on where to buy craft chocolate online.

Topics We Cover

• how Pashmina & her co-founder, Chris, got into the chocolate industry... by accident, via ChocoRush
• what Bar & Cocoa is doing to add value to shopping for craft chocolate (price & quality + uniqueness)
• the evolution of bean to bar over the last half decade, from the perspective of a retailer
• which daily processes are needed to keep Bar & Cocoa online, behind the scenes
• borrowing ideas from wine to suss out what types of chocolates repeat customers might enjoy
• designated protection areas for cacao (types & cacao brands)
• chocolate awards systems
• growing segments in the craft chocolate industry (i.e. what sorts of samples to send her!)
• chocolate in the face of global warming
• hot chocolate-making tips

Connect With Pashmina and Bar & Cocoa

Bar & Cocoa's Website.

Bar & Cocoa on Instagram.

Bar & Cocoa on Facebook.

Connect With Chocolate On The Road

On Instagram: @chocolateontheroad

On Facebook: @chocolateontheroad

Show music is Roadtrip by Phil Reavis, and our transition music is We’re Gonna Be Around by People Like Us & Sweet Dreams by Lobo Loco.

To listen to the previous episode, click here.