Nestled in Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market, indi chocolate is more than a chocolate shop—it’s a place where community, craft, and sustainability come together in a meaningful way. We sat down with the founder of indi chocolate to learn more about her journey, her passion for sourcing with purpose, and how coffee and chocolate have become a vehicle for connection.
It all started with lotion. Yes, really.
The founder of indi chocolate began making lotion for her daughter, who had sensitive skin and couldn’t tolerate commercial products. Searching for effective, natural ingredients led her to cocoa butter sourced from Belize. That exploration turned into a business—and then into a chocolate company.
A family vacation in 2008 is what brought her down to Belize on the trip that would launch her first business there. Sourcing cocoa butter and beans came later with the launch of indi chocolate in 2010.
She returned stateside with the dream of creating something closer to home. She landed in Seattle and eventually opened indi chocolate—named after her daughter—in the heart of Pike Place Market, where it’s been a fixture for over a decade.
Coffee, Community, and Connection
Coffee has always been close to her heart. “It’s how I spend time with my parents,” she shared. Creating a coffee shop inside indi chocolate was about more than adding a product—it was about building a welcoming space. A place for connection. A community.
As an international chocolate judge, she knows quality when she tastes it. That’s what first drew her to Fulcrum—flavor. But it was the story behind the cup that sealed the partnership.
“Fulcrum has an ethos I believe in. It’s not just about where you sell, but how you impact every community you touch—from source to service,” she told us. Introduced to Fulcrum through Laura at Intentionalist, she instantly connected with our values and our sourcing practices.
The recent Overlook Walk project that replaced the viaduct has been a game-changer for indi chocolate. “It’s why I signed the lease here,” she said. The new connection to Seattle’s waterfront has brought in more foot traffic, especially from locals rediscovering the market.
Sourcing with Purpose, Giving Back with Heart
indi chocolate sources directly from origin, working closely with cocoa farmers in places like Belize and Peru. She built her first chocolate company working with Mayan farmers and has spent over 18 years intentionally sourcing cacao from regions rich in genetic diversity. Today, she continues to travel to origin as much as possible and co-sources beans with other ethical producers.
And you can see it all happen—her in-store chocolate factory is built behind glass, symbolizing full transparency.
More than just a business owner, she’s also a community advocate. As a board member of Community Carrot, she’s helped provide no-cost entrepreneurial education to young people, launching several new businesses directly out of indi chocolate. “We want to give people a way to start a business without going into debt,” she said. “That’s the real impact.”
The opportunities she’s created—for students, for women artists, and for small farmers around the world. From selling small-scale chocolate equipment to volunteering in origin countries, she’s all about empowering others to go from bean to bar, and beyond.
“When I first met Blas, I found a kindred spirit in my quest for quality, equity, and flavor. This is the reason why Pike Place comes to indi chocolate for their daily beverage. Fulcrum has been a full-service partner that I have enjoyed working with and alongside.”
We’re proud to work with partners like indi chocolate—businesses rooted in passion, purpose, and people.
Follow indi chocolate on Instagram @indichocolate
Follow Community Carrot @communitycarrotsea
