We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolina Pozo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolina, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
MUZE started as a result of my experience running my non-profit AVANTI since 2008, which implements sustainable development projects to fight extreme poverty in rural communities in Ecuador. In 2014 we started working with cacao farmers in the Province of Manabi, which led to the start of MUZE, a social business focusing on disrupting the cacao and chocolate industry with a focus on innovation, social impact and sustainability.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
MUZE is a women owned, vegan chocolate company based in Ecuador & NYC, producing premium chocolate at origin from the world’s best bean: Ecuadorian fine aroma cacao.
Our award-winning, bean-to-bar chocolates are all vegan and made from single origin organic cacao from the coastal province of Manabi, Ecuador; giving great importance to sustainability, traceability, and practicing direct trade with cacao farmers. All of our chocolates are gluten free, non-GMO, and contain NO-lecithin.

At MUZE we promote the circular economy of cacao implementing social impact projects through our non-profit AVANTI. Our chocolate bars are carbon neutral, our packaging is 100% compostable, and we are working to become the most sustainable & functional chocolate in the market.

We are pleased to announce Cacao EcoVillage, the first of a global network of sustainable and smart villages; a carbon-neutral destination and innovation center for circular economy in the cacao industry.

Aiming for sustainability in this industry is a challenge and dialogue is not enough, we need to inspire action with practical examples of how we can build an ethical businesses in a competitive market. The key being forming strategic partnerships and building teams of visionaries who are not scared to disrupt and innovate with purpose.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The cacao farmers from the coastal province of Manabi, the local community leaders and to the MUZE team of dreamers and doers.

Website: www.muzecacao.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muzecacao/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/muzecacao/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/muzecacao

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muzecacao

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0jl9JRnZkzqTwwHy9s4-IQ

Other: www.cacaoecovillage.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.