For Rocio Urbina, chocolate has always been more than a treat—it’s a love language. As a trained pastry chef and lifelong chocolate enthusiast, she dreamed of creating something that reflected her heritage and her travels. That dream became RU Chocolate, founded in Texas in 2021. The brand specializes in Latin America-inspired luxury chocolates, using premium ingredients and bold flavors.
Initially, Rocio managed every aspect of her business, from setting up tents at pop-up markets to making hundreds of bonbons. She quickly realized her culinary skills did not translate to operations. “When it came to marketing, forecasting, and accounting, it felt like a different language,” she explained.
Lacking structure and business knowledge, Rocio applied for the EforAll Business Accelerator. The experience turned out to be exactly what she needed. “We had homework, accountability, and people who truly cared about our success.” The program helped her understand financial forecasting, while her mentors gave her fresh perspectives from outside the culinary world. “They each saw my business from different angles and helped me grow in ways I hadn’t even considered,” she recalls.
Since completing EforAll, RU Chocolate has seen measurable growth. Rocio used her final presentation prize money to invest in new chocolate-making equipment, allowing her to increase production and efficiency. RU Chocolate is available in two local retail shops and is expanding into hotels and events. Rocio expects to increase sales by 20%, reaching $23,000 by the end of 2025. “We’re going to hit those numbers,” she said confidently. “This program gave me the tools, the confidence, and the community to take RU Chocolate to the next level—and I’m just getting started.”
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Published December 2025