Words: Tivania Moodley | Images: Supplied
The comfort of a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening is a treasured childhood memory for many. Rishav Sewsunker established the INCA Premium Cocoa Company when he recognised that South Africa didn’t have the quality hot chocolate found in European countries. He tells us more about his business:
How did your business start?
About two and a half years ago, my girlfriend at the time drank a lot of hot chocolate, and we struggled to find an offering that she liked. I invested time into researching what a cup of hot chocolate really contains, which revealed that what we have available here is highly processed, high in sugar with little chocolate value. The industry lacked creativity and I saw a gap in the market. It took a year to formulate the product and, in 2016, the INCA Premium Cocoa Company launched at the Coffee and Chocolate Expo serving authentic handmade cocoa.
Why did you choose this area to set up shop?
We have a little kitchen in Mount Edgecombe, where we do our preparation and crafting, and offer our product through popup stands at markets, events and malls. We’ve had to keep our overheads as low as possible, so space at the moment is purely functional. Also, with the nature of the food and beverage industry right now, much of the ability to create brand awareness centres on mobility. We’re able to get our products directly to where the consumers are. This way, we offer a classy and connected experience.
How did you find your premises?
The space became available through the generosity of my family. We’ve converted a space at my parents’ home into our prep kitchen.
Why are the premises ideally suited to your business?
As a start-up business, we don’t require much space, so this works well for us.
Who are your neighbours?
Residential families.
What are the shop rental/sales prices like in this area?
As I use a space in my parent’s home, I don’t pay a rental amount.
How many people visit your business each day?
Our kitchen is purely functional – no frills, nothing fancy. We don’t get any visitors besides deliveries from suppliers and courier services. At the pop-up stores, however, we see hundreds of people a day.
Do you have any expansion plans?
I anticipate opening a small cocoa shop that will not only be a destination for South African chocolate but will also be an experience with a unique atmosphere, serving our beverages the traditional way – in bowls.
Do you operate online as well?
We’re active on Facebook, Instagram and our website.
What’s your most popular item?
Our authentic cocoa paste is a winner, as it’s honey-sweetened and free of refined sugar, gluten and preservatives.
Contact Details:
INCA Premium Cocoa Company
082 491 9805
incacocoa.com
