One More Cocoa has been named the only Canadian business to make the list of Oprah’s 2023 Favourite Things.

The Black-owned business offers unique and creative chocolate products rooted in the owner’s Jamaican culture and heritage.

“Pinch me, because this feels like a dream. I have been developing and working on our Hot Chocolate Box Set for the last year. From importing the beans from Jamaica for our cocoa tea to drinking a ton of hot chocolate and building out a product that is just perfect,” founder Kenesha Lewis said in an Instagram post. 

“It is an absolute dream to see it on Oprah’s Favorite Things, on @oprahdaily and on @amazon. This is a dream come true for a little girl from Jamaica who has worked hard to carve out a path for herself. Thank you for all the support,” she added.

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Being named to Oprah’s Favorite Things list is a coveted honour that can transform businesses. Created by billionaire media mogul Oprah Winfrey, her power to turn a relatively unknown product or brand into a household name has been well documented. Her impact on boosting sales, social media exposure and brand reputation creates long-term growth opportunities for the businesses she endorses. While the boost can sometimes lead to inventory shortages, production delays, and the need for rapid scaling of operations due to orders, it generally leads to sustained growth and generational wealth.

Lewis’s journey into the world of sweets began with her earlier ventures, namely Iced Iced Baby, where she crafted custom candy creations, and her stint as a cupcake baker.

In 2020, One More Cocoa emerged, offering over a dozen chocolate bar flavours in white, milk, and dark varieties. The online store also allows chocolate enthusiasts to curate bon-bon boxes featuring enticing flavours like crème brulee, salted caramel, and strawberry cheesecake.

After launching it in May 2021, Lewis chose downtown Whitby, Ont., as the ideal location to expand her operations. Initially supported by Futurpreneur, a non-profit providing financing and mentoring to aspiring young entrepreneurs, she opened her first brick-and-mortar store at 116 Athol St. in September 2021. She also received support from the Foodpreneur Lab, a non-profit that supports Canadian food entrepreneurs.

“Everybody just looks out for me. They see my drive and passion and know that this is something I want to do. Jamaicans have a saying: ‘Your hand ‘grees with it,’” she told Food Network. “It means you were meant to do it, in a way. People tell me ‘your hand ‘grees with chocolate.’”

In the future, Lewis is hoping to expand at stores in the U.S., according to Food Network.