Berenice de los Santos: Intertwining tradition with innovation at Kakualab
In Chiapas, a region deeply rooted in the history and culture of cacao, Berenice de los Santos is redefining the perception of chocolate. With her company, Kakualab, she not only honours tradition but also champions sustainability, health, and community support.
5 MIN READ
impact story
Mexico
5 JUNE 2024
Berenice’s love for chocolate began at home, learning how to make it from her grandmother. Unlike mass-produced milk chocolates, her family crafted their own – a necessity born from a cousin’s allergy, but one that soon became a passion. Through experimentation with native cacao varieties, she discovered the rich biodiversity that gives Chiapas’s cacao its distinctive flavours – flavours often lost in the monocultures of industrial production.
The name Kakualab itself is a reflection of this approach: ‘Kakua’ blends ‘cacao’ and an indigenous word for ‘heart,’ while ‘lab’ signifies their commitment to constant experimentation. Today, alongside her cousin, brother, and a close friend, Berenice leads a brand that blends tradition with innovation, crafting chocolate that is as nutritious as it is flavourful.
The name Kakualab itself is a reflection of this approach: ‘Kakua’ blends ‘cacao’ and an indigenous word for ‘heart,’ while ‘lab’ signifies their commitment to constant experimentation. Today, alongside her cousin, brother, and a close friend, Berenice leads a brand that blends tradition with innovation, crafting chocolate that is as nutritious as it is flavourful.
A business rooted in community
Beyond creating exceptional chocolate, Kakualab actively supports local farmers in Chiapas. The business sources cacao from a small county of about 100 families, directly supporting five of them. By fostering personal relationships with these farmers, Berenice ensures they are included in the chocolate-making process.
The company also collaborates with nearby families who own processing machines, creating a network of mutual support that strengthens the local economy.
The company also collaborates with nearby families who own processing machines, creating a network of mutual support that strengthens the local economy.
Here in Chiapas, cacao is part of who we are.
Berenice de los Santos
Founder of Kakualab
Expanding horizons with ITC SheTrades and UPS Women Exporters Programme
Determined to grow beyond Chiapas, Berenice conducted market research in Mexico City, leading to an expansion of Kakualab’s product line from two to ten offerings. A significant opportunity came when the Chiapas government invited her to explore export possibilities in Orlando, where a large Latino community longs for the flavours of home.
As Berenice’s ambitions expanded beyond national borders, support from global initiatives became crucial to turn her vision into a sustainable, export-ready enterprise.
As Berenice’s ambitions expanded beyond national borders, support from global initiatives became crucial to turn her vision into a sustainable, export-ready enterprise.
ITC SheTrades played a pivotal role in her journey, providing mentorship, networking, and access to markets. Through the initiative, she gained confidence and knowledge that helped refine her business model and vision. Meanwhile, the SheTrades and UPS Women Exporters programme introduced her to digital tools that streamlined operations, freeing up time for creativity and product development. It also opened doors to new markets in the social and environmental impact sector, and provided insights into leveraging AI imagery to reshape consumer perceptions of cacao as a health food rather than just a sweet indulgence.
Lessons for aspiring women entrepreneurs
Reflecting on her journey, Berenice shares a simple yet powerful message: ‘Do it! Everything you do will be scary, but the only way to move forward is to start. And don’t forget that your community is rich in resources – other people have already learned the lessons that you need to learn. Listen.’
Despite growing up in a family that valued entrepreneurship, she initially pursued a conventional corporate career, spending 15 years in banking. Yet, the entrepreneurial spirit instilled by her mother and grandmother never left her. The realization that she had built businesses within a bank led her to ask, ‘If I can grow a business inside a bank, why can’t I do that with something of my own?’
Through Kakualab, Berenice is not only reviving Mexico’s cacao heritage but also demonstrating that businesses can thrive by blending heart with strategy. As she continues to grow her company, she carries forward the traditions of her region while embracing the tools and knowledge that will shape its future.
Despite growing up in a family that valued entrepreneurship, she initially pursued a conventional corporate career, spending 15 years in banking. Yet, the entrepreneurial spirit instilled by her mother and grandmother never left her. The realization that she had built businesses within a bank led her to ask, ‘If I can grow a business inside a bank, why can’t I do that with something of my own?’
Through Kakualab, Berenice is not only reviving Mexico’s cacao heritage but also demonstrating that businesses can thrive by blending heart with strategy. As she continues to grow her company, she carries forward the traditions of her region while embracing the tools and knowledge that will shape its future.