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Our Juntos Fund initiative started when we set out to find Latino/Latina/Latiné food businesses creating positive change in their communities. We're honored to announce the recipient of the Siete Juntos Fund: CocoAndré Chocolatier y Horchatería!
CocoAndré is a specialty shop based in Dallas, TX, led by the mother/daughter team of Andrea & Cindy Pedraza. They serve up hand-crafted delicious chocolates and other tasty treats filled with Mexican flavors, and a whole lot of love. Read more about them below!
Q: What is your bio in ~seven (siete!) words?
A: Dos Mujeres, un chocolate camino!
Q: What is your company's mission?
A: Our mission is to change the narrative by reconnecting to our ancestral roots in cacao to empower others. We believe chocolate is a unifier, and creating an inclusive safe space for the BIPOC community to come together is what drives us and reaffirms our purpose in this world.
Q: Tell us about yourself & CocoAndré's story!
A: CocoAndré is a Mexican-American family-owned chocolate shop in Oak Cliff, TX. Andrea and Cindy began their journey as entrepreneurs nearly 11 years ago after they were both laid off. Facing this setback allowed them to realize that they could create a chocolate shop of their own and began with less than $1000 between the two. Today, they are proud to have built a business that represents their heritage, culture, and story as Mexican-American-Texan mothers. For Andrea and Cindy operating CocoAndre Chocolatier is about making guests feel like family. As Cindy explains, “We want you to feel the love of home when you come through our door.”
In the 1980s, Andrea turned a part time job in Dallas's first chocolate shop into a 25 year career as a master chocolatier and head of production. She became passionate about chocolate and that passion led her to learn more about her Mexican roots in chocolate. Once that door closed she opened the doors to her own chocolate shop. As an immigrant and accomplished master of truffle creation and chocolate design, Andrea enjoys combining traditional European techniques with modern flavors from Mexico. She has been perfecting her unique style over the last 37 years.
Cindy was a single mother, working on her school and was living on her own, working in the construction business. She was enjoying learning what it took to really run a company: budgets, managing people, making long term decisions. But, with the collapse of the economy in 2009, she too found herself no longer employed. It was then that the mother-daughter team decided to take their skills and open a chocolate shop.
Q: Where can we find out more about CocoAndré?
A: Head to our website, https://cocoandre.com, or find us on Instagram @cocoandre_chocolatier !
CocoAndré’s family-driven dynamic and desire to represent their heritage warms our hearts, and leaves us with a huge smile on our faces. We love their mission and the vulnerable and heartwarming stories they shared with us about family, community, and running their business together. From drinking horchata and eating paletas with their neighbors on their front lawn, to openly learning from their ups and their downs—CocoAndré is admirably committed to gathering together and doing everything with love. We could not be happier for them, and we’re excited to watch and support as they continue their mission of changing narratives, empowering others, and connecting to their ancestral roots through delicious goodies. You can experience the warmth, love, and expertise of this amazing mother-daughter-duo and their business by heading over to their website or visiting their shop in Dallas to browse their assortment of chocolates, beverages, and traditionally flavored treats!
Con mucho amor,
Your Siete Family.
