In this episode, Shawn Askinosie, founder of Askinosie Chocolate, shares his journey from being a criminal defense lawyer to pursuing chocolate.
Takeaways:
*Tragedy can lead to finding one's life purpose.
*Rising cocoa bean prices pose challenges for chocolate makers.
*Building relationships with farmers is crucial in the chocolate industry.
*Profit sharing can have a positive impact on farmers and their communities. *Askinosie's bean-to-bar chocolate company pays cocoa farmers a higher price and provides them with advance payments, improving their lives and communities.
*The company has funded projects such as metal roofs for homes, making a significant impact on the communities they work with.
*The Chocolate University program offers transformative experiences for students, teaching them about the impact of their work and the importance of human connection.
*Shawn highlights the challenges of technology and the need for in-person connections and authentic experiences in today's world.