The Chocolate Therapist

What The Chocolate Therapist does

The Chocolate Therapist is a privately-held, founder-owned artisan chocolate producer and experiential retailer founded in 2009 and headquartered in Littleton, Colorado. The company produces small-batch, handcrafted chocolates on-site at its Historic Downtown Littleton storefront using all-natural ingredients — organic flavoring oils, locally roasted nuts, and dried berries — with no dyes, preservatives, or artificial ingredients, and offers soy-free and gluten-free product options. The portfolio spans chocolate bars, patties, caramels, mints, toffee, barks, chocolate-covered nuts and dried fruits, gift sets, custom corporate baskets, and wedding favors, supplemented by founder Julie Nygard's three published books on chocolate's health benefits and pairing methodologies. The business also operates a beverage program featuring locally-roasted Kaladi Brothers coffee, original-recipe hot chocolate, and curated wines for in-store pairing purchases.

Revenue is generated across six distinct streams: direct retail at the Littleton storefront; e-commerce with temperature-controlled nationwide Priority Mail shipping and same-day Denver delivery; wholesale distribution to retail stores and wineries nationwide; the Chocolate of the Month subscription ($36.95/month, 3–12 month terms); in-store, corporate, and virtual pairing classes (chocolate with wine, beer, or tea) priced $2,195–$5,200 per virtual event; and corporate gifting/event favors with drop-shipping to gift lists. Customers are segmented horizontally across individual chocolate enthusiasts, corporate clients seeking custom gifts and team-building experiences, wedding and event planners, and experiential event organizers, with no disclosed enterprise anchors or named-logo accounts. The operating model is founder-centric, with Nygard personally anchoring the pairing classes, virtual events, and thought-leadership content that drives top-of-funnel marketing.

Name

The Chocolate Therapist

Legal name

The Chocolate Therapist

Website

https://thechocolatetherapist.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Chocolate Therapist is an artisan chocolate producer and experiential retailer in Littleton, Colorado, manufacturing small-batch all-natural handcrafted chocolates on-site and offering pairing classes, virtual corporate events, subscription boxes, and wholesale distribution to nationwide retail partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisan Confectionery

NAICS

Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate (311352), Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers (42445)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Chocolate & Confectionery Shops (THAFAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Chocolate & Chocolate Confectionery (CRADABAA), Chocolate & Candy Snacks Manufacturing (AFAKAIAM)

Keywords

• Handcrafted artisan chocolates
• Gourmet coffee retail
• Chocolate pairing classes
• Corporate chocolate gifts
• Chocolate subscription club

Headquarters

HQ city

Littleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Retail Chocolate Sales: On-site and e-commerce sales of handcrafted chocolates including bars, patties, caramels, mints, toffee, barks, nuts, fruits, and gift sets. Revenue generated from individual products, gift baskets, and bulk chocolate.
2. Chocolate & Wine Pairing Classes: Ticketed in-store events pairing 4 wines with 10 handcrafted chocolates. Also available for corporate team-building, private events, and virtual classes with shipped tasting kits.
3. Gourmet Coffee & Hot Chocolate: Serving locally-roasted Kaladi Brothers coffee and original-recipe hot chocolate at the retail location.
4. Wholesale Distribution: Products distributed to retail stores and wineries throughout the nation.
5. Corporate Gifts & Event Favors: Custom corporate gift baskets, wedding favors, and party favors with bulk pricing. Drop-shipping available to gift lists with custom labels.
6. Subscription (Chocolate of the Month Club): Monthly shipments of handcrafted chocolates with 3, 6, 9, or 12-month subscription options in various milk, dark, or vegan configurations.
7. Wine Sales: In-store wine sales for wines used in pairing classes plus select popular wines that pair with chocolate. Cannot ship wine due to liquor license restrictions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Chocolate Therapist is a small-batch, artisan chocolate producer operating an on-site manufacturing facility inside its Historic Downtown Littleton, Colorado retail storefront. It sells handcrafted, all-natural chocolates (bars, patties, caramels, mints, toffee, barks, nuts and dried fruits), hosts in-store and virtual chocolate-and-wine/beer/tea pairing classes, distributes wholesale to retail stores and wineries, and offers custom corporate gifts, wedding favors, and a Chocolate of the Month Club subscription.

Product overview

The Chocolate Therapist is a small-batch chocolate artisan shop and wine/coffee establishment operating from Littleton, Colorado. The product portfolio centers on handcrafted all-natural chocolates made with organic flavoring oils, locally roasted nuts, and dried berries—products are soy-free, gluten-free, and contain no dyes, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. The core offerings include chocolate bars (in dark, milk, and specialty varieties), patties, caramels, toffee, nuts/dried fruits, and bark. The company also publishes books authored by founder Julie Nygard (The Chocolate Therapist, Dare to Pair, The Last Damn Diet) and operates experiential services including Chocolate & Wine Pairing Classes, Beer & Chocolate Classes, and Virtual Chocolate Events. Gift products include tasting kits (Chocolate Tasting Kit, Tea and Chocolate Tasting Kit, Chocolate and Wine Pairing Gift Set), gift towers, corporate baskets, and subscription services (Chocolate of the Month Club). Additional offerings include hot chocolate, local Kaladi Brothers coffee, wines for pairing, and custom event/party favors. The business operates an e-commerce platform with same-day Denver delivery and nationwide shipping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Handcrafted Chocolate Bars Small-batch, handcrafted chocolate bars in dark, milk, and specialty varieties (e.g., Purist 72% dark, Traditional Decadence milk, single-origin Madagascar, Down by the Sea Salt, Going to the Dark Side, Berried in Chocolate, Blue Suede 'Shews) made with all-natural ingredients for individual consumers and gift purchasers.
• Chocolate Patties Handcrafted chocolate patties (haystack with coconut, Cocoa en Fuego with New Mexican chili, pecan tortoises) made with all-natural, soy-free, and gluten-free ingredients for individual consumers.
• Caramels and Mints All-natural house-recipe caramels (no corn syrup) in sea salt, regular, and mint meltaway varieties for individual consumers and gift buyers.
• Toffee Milk chocolate-covered almond toffee (regular and Maldon Sea Salt), awarded Denver's Best Toffee, sold to individual consumers and gift buyers.
• Chocolate-Covered Nuts and Dried Fruits All-natural chocolate-covered nuts and dried fruits (almonds, pecans, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, ginger, espresso beans, pomegranate seeds), with regular and sugar-free options, for individual consumers.
• Chocolate Barks All-natural chocolate bark in dark almond sea salt, dark or milk peppermint, and dark sea salt toffee varieties for individual consumers.
• The Chocolate Therapist (Book) Julie Nygard's published book documenting chocolate's health benefits, with over 60 alphabetized ailments, supporting research, recipes, and chocolate history for chocolate enthusiasts.
• Dare to Pair (Book) Julie Nygard's pairing guide covering 40 wines with two chocolate pairings each, plus wine regions, tasting techniques, glassware, and recipes, for wine and chocolate enthusiasts.
• The Last Damn Diet (Book) Julie Nygard's published book on balancing brain chemistry to end food cravings and unhealthy eating habits, for general consumers interested in nutrition and weight management.
• Chocolate and Wine Pairing Classes Ticketed in-store and external-venue experiential classes pairing 4 wines with 10 handcrafted chocolates, available as private events and corporate team-building.
• Virtual Chocolate Tasting Events Virtual chocolate, wine pairing, and tea pairing experiences for groups of 20+ guests, with shipped tasting kits (chocolate, wine or tea, information folder) and live presentations by founder Julie Nygard for corporate, fundraiser, and private events.
• Chocolate Tasting Kit Gift/educational kit including Purist bar (72% dark, 2 oz), Traditional Decadence bar (milk, 2 oz), single-origin Madagascar bar, Private Stash tin, cocoa nibs and beans sample, and information folder; priced at $28.95.
• Tea and Chocolate Tasting Kit Tasting kit pairing Purist, Traditional Decadence, single-origin Madagascar bars with a 16-piece Pairing Adventure collection, cocoa nibs/beans sample, information folder, and 4 types of tea; priced $50.00-$56.95 for individual or kit-for-2.
• Chocolate and Wine Pairing Gift Set for 2 Pairing collection for 2 including a 16-piece box of all-natural chocolates (8 milk, 8 dark), 2 chocolate bars (2oz each), single-origin Madagascar bar, cocoa nibs and beans, pairing information folder, and Dare to Pair book; priced at $56.95 (wine not included).
• Wine Pairing Book and Chocolate Set Combo gift set pairing the Dare to Pair book with a box of pairing chocolates selected for white wine (milk), red wine (dark), whisky, or beer; priced $24.95 (gift certificate option available).
• Tea Pairing Collection Handcrafted chocolates with organic flavoring oils in tea-inspired flavors (Earl Grey, Chai, Irish Cream, Black Cherry, Lemon, Orange, Plum, Peanut Butter, Raspberry, Sangria, Key Lime, Milk Orange, Apricot, Maple, Amaretto, Cappuccino, Hazelnut, Mulling Spice), paired with Republic of Tea options.
• Gift Tower Multi-tier gift tower containing a 25-piece assorted chocolate box, half-pound almond toffee, half-pound caramels, and a 2 oz chocolate bar; priced at $74.95 for gifting occasions.
• Corporate Chocolate Baskets Custom corporate gift baskets in small, medium, and large sizes ($54.95-$94.95) with milk/dark or dark-only options, color coordination, custom labels, drop-shipping to clients, and custom molds with logos for businesses.
• Just for Her Chocolate Basket Luxury gift basket including The Chocolate Therapist book, 16 oz dark chocolate wine pairing collection, 6 oz almond toffee bark, sea salt caramels, peanut butter meltaways, pecan tortoise, key lime chocolates, Private Stash tin, stuffed animal, and Super Hero bar; priced at $94.95.
• Chocolate of the Month Club Recurring subscription delivering handcrafted top-seller chocolates monthly, with 3, 6, 9, or 12-month options in milk, dark, milk/dark mix, or vegan varieties, starting at $36.95/month plus shipping.
• 2 and 4 Piece Event Table Favors Custom 2-piece or 4-piece chocolate favor boxes sold in sets of 12 for weddings and parties, with 20+ flavor options and customizable colors and ribbons; priced $45.00-$63.00.
• Wines for Chocolate Pairing Curated wines selected for chocolate pairing (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tawny Port), priced $15.95-$20.95, in-store pickup only with ID required due to liquor license restrictions.
• Hot Chocolate and Sipping Chocolate Original-recipe all-natural hot chocolate and Ciao Cacao European-style sipping chocolate, with soy-free options, priced $12.95-$14.95, for in-store and take-home consumption.
• Locally Roasted Coffee Locally-roasted Kaladi Brothers coffee in Mexico Chiapas Medium Roast and Peru Cajamarca Dark Roast varieties (both Fair Trade Certified), sold for in-store and take-home consumption.
• Online Gift Cards Digital gift cards redeemable across the product catalog, available in denominations of $25, $45, $60, $75, and $100+.
• The Private Stash Collection Five-piece assortment of the company's most popular chocolates, presented in a black tin or box, available in milk/dark, all milk, or all dark varieties; priced $6.95-$234.00 for hostess gifts, corporate gifts, and table favors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6-month expiration date on all products demonstrates product quality and shelf stability

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Hudson GardensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Hudson Gardens to offer chocolate and beer pairing classes. Events hosted at The Hudson Gardens venue, with registration through their platform. Classes feature 4 different beers paired with 10 handcrafted chocolates.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Godiva Chocolatier: Global premium chocolate brand with boutiques, e-commerce, and gifting. Comparable premium positioning and experiential retail concept, but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• See's Candies: Iconic American chocolate and confectionery retailer/manufacturer with broad national footprint and strong gifting/seasonal business. Comparable product category and gifting channel but operates at far larger scale with mass-market positioning.

Direct peers

• Hu Kitchen: Allergen-friendly ("paleo-inspired"), clean-label premium chocolate brand sold DTC and through national retail. Closely comparable allergen-friendly positioning, though at significantly larger scale and with VC backing.
• Lake Champlain Chocolates: Vermont-based small-batch premium chocolate maker with retail, wholesale, and corporate gifting programs. Comparable in artisan manufacturing, premium pricing, and B2B gifting channel.
• Fran's Chocolates: Seattle-based premium chocolatier with retail shops, mail order, and corporate gifting. Comparable premium positioning, gift baskets, and pairing-inspired product lines.
• Mast Brothers Chocolate: Brooklyn-based bean-to-bar artisan chocolate maker with flagship retail, tasting experiences, and wholesale. Comparable in craft positioning, experiential retail, and direct-to-consumer storytelling.
• Vosges Haut-Chocolat: Chicago-based premium chocolatier known for experiential retail (chocolate tastings, pairings), distinctive flavor profiles, and mail order. Comparable in experiential retail and premium artisanal positioning.
• L.A. Burdick Chocolate: Small-batch, handcrafted premium chocolatier with a retail shop, nationwide mail order, and experiential offerings (chocolate tastings, classes). Closely comparable to The Chocolate Therapist in artisan positioning, gift basket model, and store-as-classroom concept.
• Compartés Chocolatier: LA-based artisanal chocolate brand with flagship retail, e-commerce, wholesale, and celebrity/gift collaborations. Closely comparable premium DTC chocolate model with strong gift and subscription positioning.

Emerging players

• Salty Sweet Beauty / Salty Road (artisan chocolate-covered confections): Emerging small-batch artisan chocolate-covered confections brand with DTC focus. Comparable in scale, giftable product mix (chocolate-covered nuts/fruit), and clean-label positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-chocolate-therapist-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Chocolate Therapist