From Wall Street to Clean Sweets: A Conversation with Alak Vasa of Elements Truffles

Alak Vasa, co-founder of Elements Truffles on the importance of meditation, chocolate that's actually good for you, and how she quit her job as a trader at Goldman Sachs to pursue her dream of creating a company that gives back. Find Elements Truffles in our True Moringa Valentine's Day Gift Box.

So let me get this straight - you make chocolate that’s healthy for you AND good for the skin? How does that work? 

Our chocolates are inspired by the ancient life science of Ayurveda.  Ayurveda, a sister science to yoga, reveals the secrets of how to balance the five elements - earth, water, fire, air and ether - in our body. Each of our chocolates is infused with an ayurveda superfood that helps balance the elements in your body. Besides that, our chocolates are free from dairy, refined sugar, cane sugar, soy, gmo, gluten, emulsifiers and artificial ingredients. They are sweetened just with locally sourced raw honey. 

Moreover, these chocolates are raw and organic. Cacao in its raw form is a a wealth of antioxidants and essential minerals. The antioxidants help block harmful radicals in the body and prevent the skin from premature aging. The high content of vitamin C and magnesium helps keep the skin healthy. Enriched with minerals and omega6 fatty acids, raw cacao promotes better blood flow and increases cellular healing for a youthful glow.

Tell us a bit about the Turmeric Infused Dark Hot Chocolate in our Valentine's Day Gift Box

This turmeric infused dark hot chocolate powder is made from raw, organic and fair trade Peruvian Cacao that you have to taste to believe! It is hand-made in micro batches. Made from only four ingredients, this mix turns into a decadent Barcelona style hot chocolate by simply adding water to it.

A perfect drinking cocoa treat for the cold weather. Enjoy it warm!

What makes your way of doing business unique? How are you using business as a force for social good? 

We are committed to making a difference in the lives around us. Each member of the team invests at least five hours of their time every week in giving back to community. Moreover, 25% of the profits go towards supporting education of under-privileged children in tribal areas of India. 

Our company was created with the simple intention of spreading happiness and peace through our products. Every member on our team meditates. Our chocolates are handcrafted with the purest ingredients, sourced fair-trade, infused with positivity and wrapped in eco-friendly packaging. We strive for highest quality with lowest possible environmental impact. And, we are fully committed to become more sustainable the more that we grow. There is a big heart in our logo and it is green. Literally!

Any funny stories to share from your early startup days?

One of the first batches of Peppermint-Lavender flavor truffles was an irreversible and a serendipitous accident! Instead of peppermint, I mistakenly emptied ginger essential oil in the large batch of Cacao. While that flavor was a disaster, the effort to salvage the batch lead to our our next flavor in works - Ginger with Black Pepper! As an added bonus, we were left with never ending supply of Ginger flavored chocolates!

What's one fun fact about you that we might not know? 

Before making chocolates, I used to be a trader with Goldman Sachs. I would often rely on a bar of chocolate to calm my nerves when things went a bit topsy-turvy and also daydream of having my own chocolate factory some day!

What's your personal beauty/self care routine? 

I strongly believe that outer beauty is a reflection of inner beauty. I nurture my inner beauty with my daily 30 minute morning mediation practice. This daily ritual nurtures my heart and soul and fuels the rest of my day. 

During the cold winter months, I also practice self Abhyanga (a warm oil body massage), that helps me restore the balance of all the elements in my body. 

Besides that I eat clean food and use clean products on my skin - after all skin is the biggest organ of our body. 

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Don’t forget to enjoy the journey, that is the best part. The ups and downs is what makes it fun and gives depth to the entire journey. Hold on to the three P’s : Passion, Perseverance and Patience. 

And have faith - in yourself, your team, your product, your vision and the universe. Help does come your way from the people you least expect! 

What's the next big thing for Elements Truffles?

We are very excited about the partnerships we are about to forge. What we have in common with these global partners is our value systems and passion. We are also looking forward to coming to the store near you very soon!