NCET Biz Tips: Making a sweet legacy with Dorinda’s Chocolates
NCET helps you explore business and technology
By Dave Archer
This holiday season, one local, family-owned and operated business is inviting people to join their family and build their legacy.
The company is Dorinda’s Chocolates’ sister enterprise, Live Kaya. Dorinda’s Chocolates is well known throughout the Reno-Tahoe region for its confections. Now, through Live Kaya, individuals are invited to be part of a growing business opportunity.
Founded in 2008 in Truckee, Dorinda’s has since expanded to two Reno locations in addition to the chocolate factory on Wells Avenue. The company’s hand-crafted treats can also be found in Whitney Peak Hotel, Nakoma Golf Resort, and Sierra St. Kitchen and Cocktail. No matter the venue, Dorinda’s delivers award-winning chocolates that are all-natural and hand-made with fair-trade ingredients of the best possible quality.
Dorinda’s story is one of entrepreneurship, family, and legacy. Founder Dorinda Vance started hand-rolling chocolate cherries when she was 12 years old. By age 18, she had sold so much Tupperware that the company bought her a car.
As a young adult, she kept chasing the dream and launched many businesses, such as a nail salon, airport shuttle, and several restaurants. Each time, she used the proceeds from the current enterprise to fund the next. She also achieved great success with a network marketing company, eventually opening its Japanese and German markets with her sons in tow.
For her next stage, Dorinda took her lifelong love of chocolate to the next level and completed formal training as a chocolatier. Then, in 2008, she opened Dorinda’s Chocolates in Truckee, California with then-teenage son Dustin at her side.
Now, the entire business is a family affair. Today, Dustin leads the company’s product development, and son Dillon manages the operations.
In 2018 the Dorinda’s family of products grew even more with the introduction of a sister company, Live Kaya. Like Dorinda’s, Live Kaya uses high-quality ingredients and craftsmanship to deliver an exceptional product. Live Kaya also offers health benefits through enhanced dark chocolate products.
The Live Kaya includes Kaya Probiotic, a 70% dark chocolate with 1 billion CFU probiotic plus beta-glucan for powerful immune system and gut health support. The company also makes Hemp CBD Oil Infusions, in either full-spectrum chocolate or isolate versions. And new products are on the way.
Live Kaya’s Brand Ambassadors have spread the company to 38 states. Through this platform, the Vance family hopes to empower other families to create a legacy of financial stability and success.
Celebrate the holiday season with chocolate tasting, wine, snacks and a tour of Dorinda’s Chocolates & Live Kaya’s factory during NCET’s Tech Wednesday event from 5:30–7:30 p.m. on November 16. See how this family-owned and operated business handmakes exquisite, delicious, and beneficial confections.
Learn about Dorinda’s sister company, Live Kaya, and how it’s helping families create a legacy. Tickets and more information at www.NCETwed.org
Dave Archer is president/CEO of NCET, which produces educational and networking events to help people explore business and technology.