It’s not every day you hear about an interior designer becoming a vegan chocolate truffle maker. But that’s exactly what Chef Andrea did when she transformed a family health journey into Sweet Vegan, the vegan chocolate brand she founded in 2019, proudly calling “.NYC” home.

Chef Andrea’s journey into a vegan lifestyle began unexpectedly after her mother became her longterm houseguest following an accident in New York City. "To aid her recovery, I hired a personal chef to come one day a week. She cooked and taught us the amazing flavors, variety, and benefits of a plant-based diet. My mom became the taste tester, and I assisted as a sous-chef" shared Chef Andrea. 

Her mother's transformation was remarkable. She went "from being in a wheelchair to pushing the wheelchair in only three months." Inspired by the experience and the benefits she'd seen firsthand from following a plant diet, Chef Andrea was inspired to enroll in The Natural Kitchen Cooking School. She first became a private chef to celebrities and eventually launched Sweet Vegan.  

Chef Andrea blends her background in interior architecture and culinary training to create a brand that marries aesthetic elegance with mouthwatering indulgence. Her goal? Redefine the confectionery industry.

“We set out to craft an experience catering to diverse dietary needs without compromising taste or flavor,” she said. “Sweet Vegan is more than a brand—it’s a movement toward mindful, healthconscious enjoyment of life’s sweetest pleasures.”  

The beauty of Sweet Vegan is that they look and taste great, while still being nutritious. The chocolates are made with 70% fair-trade dark chocolate, fresh, organic ingredients and are completely allergen-free, with no dairy, gluten, nuts, soy, or preservatives in sight.

Being new in the chocolate scene and changing perceptions around it hasn’t always been easy. In fact, “transforming skepticism around vegan chocolates has been a challenge," Chef Andrea said.  

Rather than being deterred, however, she embraced the opportunity to craft chocolates that have turned skeptics into fans. Through dedication, creativity, and craftsmanship, Chef Andrea has perfected recipes that surpass expectations, ensuring that even chocolate connoisseurs will enjoy these vegan treats.

Serving alongside Sweet Vegan’s chocolates is its “.NYC” website, which serves as more than just an online storefront. The website has been instrumental in sharing Chef Andrea’s story, showcasing Sweet Vegan’s mission, and connecting with customers.    

Despite shipping truffles to chocolate-lovers around the world, building the site on a “.NYC” domain for Sweet Vegan was deliberate. "We chose the “.NYC” domain to proudly showcase our roots in New York City," Chef Andrea said. "It represents our identity as a local business inspired by the city's energy, diversity, and creativity."    

Thanks in part to the website, word is spreading about Sweet Vegan’s Dreamy Bite truffles, and Chef Andrea’s creations are being recognized. Two of Sweet Vegan's classic truffles, Luscious Lemon and Spicy Ginger, were honored as 2022 and 2024 Good Food Award finalists. From 2021- 2024, Sweet Vegan was selected as the chocolate of choice for the Clinton Global Initiative at the Midtown Hilton Hotel. 

With more than 580 five-star Google reviews, the company's success extends well beyond awards. "Knowing that we've brought joy, satisfied cravings, and inspired others to make compassionate choices fills us with immense pride," said Chef Andrea.

For those considering starting their own venture, Chef Andrea recommends the following: “Focus on your strengths and be honest about your shortcomings to build a support system. Surround yourself with a team you trust, people who will give you honest feedback and ideas. Listen to their input, but always trust your instincts when it comes time to make the final decision.”

When things don’t go as planned (often the case), lean on your intuitive decision-making and tenacity, she said. These are essential traits for handling the ever-changing business landscape. Through it all, the key is to build a brand that genuinely reflects your values while addressing your customers' needs. That’s certainly what Chef Andrea is doing, one truffle at a time.