In this episode, I sat down to chat with Karen Blackwell. Listen in as she shares how she went from a healthcare leader to a CPG CEO while making a social and environmental impact in Ghana.
Karen Blackwell of Kanda Chocolates
Karen worked many years as a Healthcare Leader and now turned into CEO and founder of Kanda Chocolates.
She once appeared on Oprah and told Oprah she was going to do big things. Now, she’s doing exactly that with Kanda Chocolates.
I love how Kanda Chocolates balance between profits and the welfare of society and the environment.
The chocolates are sourced and manufactured from Ghana which makes a significant impact to the community there. They provide jobs for people in Ghana and helping the economy.
Kanda Chocolates also donate 10% of sales towards a charitable cause.
Some Questions I Asked:
- How did you go from a healthcare industry to starting a chocolate business?
- Is there a story behind the name “Kanda”?
- What do you like most about what you do today because it’s much different from what you do in healthcare?
- How does social impact and sustainability affect how you run your business?
- How do you overcome the challenge of shipping chocolate without it melting?
- What are your goals in the next 12-24 months?
Don’t Miss:
2:10 Transitioning from healthcare to CEO of chocolate company
3:50 Story behind the name “Kanda”
5:15 Karen’s company before starting Kanda Chocolates
6:35 Biggest joy in running the business
8:35 How social impact and sustainability shows up in the business
10:45 How Kanda is helping the chocolate industry in Ghana
13:25 Shipping chocolate
16:10 Goals in next 12-24 months
18:25 Biggest challenge going into retail
20:45 This is a “lettuce” journey. Not a ladder journey
24:35 Where to buy Kanda Chocolate
Connect With Karen Blackwell & Kanda Chocolates
>>> Get yourself some chocolates at kandachocolates.com
>>> Follow @kandachocolates on Instagram
Or you can send them an email at
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Have an unbelievably splendid day,
Vincent