The daughters of Dominican immigrants achieved the American dream. They’re bringing sweet chocolate success back to the homeland
Summary
Janett and Erika Liriano, daughters of Dominican immigrants, left successful jobs in the U.S. to start a chocolate company in the Dominican Republic. They aim to help local cacao farmers get a fair price by producing chocolate themselves, rather than just exporting raw beans.Key Facts
- Janett was a Forbes 30 Under 30 Listmaker and chief of staff at a biopharmaceutical firm.
- Erika worked in venture capital before starting the business.
- The Dominican Republic produces about 60% of the world’s organic cacao but mainly exports raw beans.
- Most profits from cacao come in countries that process the beans into chocolate, not from farming regions.
- Farmers often get low prices and unfair treatment from buyers in the cacao supply chain.
- The sisters moved to the Dominican Republic in 2020 with their parents to learn the cacao industry firsthand.
- They started Inaru Chocolate to create more value locally and support farmers better.
- Inaru means fertility or creation in the native Taino language.
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