Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Jimenez
Hi Monica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From an Ecuadorian Farm to Minnesota: The Beginning of San José Chocolate
After overcoming cancer and moving to a new country with my husband and our four children, I embarked on a new chapter in my life. I had built a career as an accountant here in the United States, but deep down, I felt the calling to do something more—something that would connect my roots to my future and create a legacy for my children. I wanted to build something that wasn’t just a job but a family endeavor, a business where my children could learn to make decisions, take risks, and become entrepreneurs themselves.
In 2018, I made the decision to step away from my accounting career and bring my extended family’s cacao legacy to the U.S so I reached out to my nephew, Jorge Marún Ramírez. Jorge is deeply dedicated—he spends most of his time in the plantations, overseeing the growth of the cacao trees and ensuring the best harvests. When I told him about my idea to sell our chocolates in the U.S., his response was immediate and full of enthusiasm: “Tía, let’s do it!” And just like that, San José – Minneapolis LLC was born.
Since then, my other nephew, Andrés Marún Ramírez, has played a crucial role in the cacao export process. He focuses on ensuring the smooth flow of cacao from Ecuador to the U.S. Meanwhile, his son, José Andrés Marún Brevi, is the one who helps me with the exportation of the finished chocolates. Their roles are integral to getting our products to Minnesota and ensuring the quality of our cacao and chocolate every step of the way. Our connection runs deep—while they carry the last name Marún Ramírez, my paternal last name is Ramírez, a bond that ties us together not just as family but as partners in this shared vision.
In 2022, inspired by the desire to bring the finest ethically sourced cacao and chocolate to Minnesota and the Midwest, I launched Inkakaw. This new line not only preserves the essence of our Ecuadorian cacao but also incorporates local ingredients, supporting my new community while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and fair trade. By ensuring ethical sourcing and fair compensation for cacao farmers, I strive to create a business that respects both people and the planet
What started as a way to bring my family’s chocolate to the U.S. has become so much more. It’s a bridge between Ecuador and Minnesota, between tradition and innovation, between the past and the future. This business is built on dedication, hard work, and above all, family. As I continue this journey, I do so with the hope that one day, my children will carry this legacy forward—just as my nephews have done in Ecuador, following in the footsteps of their grandparents before them. For generations, my extended family has nurtured and preserved this cacao tradition, and I dream of my children becoming part of that legacy, continuing what was started long before us.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building and growing my chocolate business has come with many challenges along the way. One of the biggest struggles has been production costs and scalability. The price of our cacao is highly competitive, and while my family provides high-quality cacao at a fair price, transportation costs have risen significantly—both for sea and air freight. Additionally, the high initial costs of equipment, packaging, and production processes made it difficult to acquire the necessary tools to craft chocolate. Finding affordable and high-quality packaging was another long process, but I eventually secured a reliable supplier. Scaling up remains a challenge, as I would love to expand my production capacity to meet the growing demand for my locally made cacao products.
Another major hurdle has been market competition. The chocolate industry is saturated with brands from all over the world, making it difficult to stand out. However, Ecuador is globally recognized for its premium cacao, and our company holds international awards and certifications for sustainability and social responsibility, which strengthen our competitive edge. Securing retail space has also been an ongoing challenge, as we compete against well-established national brands for shelf space in supermarkets and specialty stores.
Distribution and logistics present another layer of difficulty. Finding reliable and affordable distributors to expand our reach has not been easy. Managing inventory, delivery times, and shipping costs has been a learning process, especially considering that while chocolate does not require refrigeration, it must be stored within a specific temperature range.
Another critical factor has been accessing to funding and capital. While securing investors is often a challenge for small businesses, I am fortunate that my children have believed in this vision and helped fund the launch of INKAKAW. The high initial costs and the difficulty of obtaining credit remain concerns, though we have not yet pursued business loans.
We have also worked on educating consumers. More people are becoming aware of the health benefits of dark chocolate—it is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and essential minerals like magnesium. To strengthen this awareness, we have created campaigns highlighting, in addition to its Health Benefits, our certifications, commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, and our deep-rooted family tradition.
Finally, adapting to market trends has been key. Consumer preferences have shifted toward healthier, more sustainable, and plant-based products, which aligns perfectly with our philosophy. The only challenge has been reinforcing customer education to ensure they recognize that our chocolates already meet these evolving demands.
Despite these challenges, the journey has been rewarding, and I remain committed to growing this business while staying true to our values of quality, sustainability, and family tradition.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Chocolate San Jose Minneapolis is a Latina woman owned business that offers the best chocolate in the USA. We select the best cacao beans from Hacienda San Jose’s fields and turn them into chocolate for you. We want to share our vision of sustainability, full traceability, and transparency to build healthier communities.
Sustainability is the reason we started our business and have a deep belief in it is the path to make a real change in the world
My business is all about selling chocolates made from the cacao grown on my family’s farm in Ecuador. I started this journey in 2018, initially focusing on bringing these high-quality chocolates to the U.S. market. Over time, I realized I could also use local resources and make the chocolate here in Minnesota. That became my first big dream, and I am now making it a reality.
At INKAKAW, our new local line, we take pride in crafting chocolate that reflects both our Ecuadorian heritage and the rich diversity of Minnesota. Our locally made products incorporate cacao sourced from my extended family in Ecuador, San José Farm, as well as from the Kichwa Indigenous community in the Ecuadorian Amazon. What sets us apart is our commitment to honoring the ancestral traditions of cacao cultivation while embracing the intercultural identity of the communities we serve. We elevate the Indigenous communities whose knowledge and traditions have shaped our mestizo heritage, creating a bridge between Ecuador and Minnesota. Our mission is to collaborate with the ancestral Kichwa farmers to produce cacao and chocolate using local resources. Our vision is to uphold a legacy of sustainable trade rooted in ancestral conservation practices, strengthen authentic human connections, and contribute to a fair and equitable trade system for both local and global communities
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Throughout the journey of my business, I have been fortunate to receive support in many ways.
One of these was through You Becha! Box—a company that offered gift boxes featuring award-winning artisanal food made exclusively by Minnesota makers. (Now is part of Elevated Boxes). This initiative provided a great opportunity for many of us in the Minnesota food community, as they handled the distribution of these gift boxes, creating a successful outlet for our products, especially during the COVID era.
Another incredible support system during that time was MN Hero Snack Packs, organized by our dear friend Robyn Frank. This program provided healthy snacks to overworked doctors risking their lives during the pandemic and help sustain small local food businesses within Minnesota. We were able to sell our products to her, and she sustained the program through donations.
Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has been a valuable mentor, offering programs such as Make it Minnesota Marketing Investment Cost-Share Program which can help your Minnesota-manufactured consumer packaged goods (CPG) food, beverage, or pet food company take advantage of growth opportunities through a variety of high-impact marketing.
Feast! Local Foods Marketplace, has also played a significant role, providing a platform to showcase and sell our products. Since I first participated, I have had great success selling at their annual event in Rochester.
Lastly, I want to express my deep gratitude to my friend Claire Simons, founder of 3Cricketeers, along with her husband Chad. Claire first reached out to inquire about purchasing San José Chocolate wholesale, as she was interested in our sustainably certified products. Since then, she has become one of my most valued wholesale clients, regularly purchasing our 3-kilos bags of professional-grade chocolate discs. Over time, I also learned that she operates a shared kitchen space, which I now rent alongside her. Having access to this certified and well-equipped facility has been instrumental in the creation of my local cacao line, providing me with an accessible and reliable space to develop and produce my new products.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chocolatesanjose-minneapolis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_inkakaw_experience; https://www.instagram.com/sanjose_chocolate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chocolatesanjoseminneapolis
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-jimenez-4018b8ba/
