Plant Sumo Interviews - amy carson

Amy Carson

Bona Dea Chocolatier

For nearly a decade, Amy Carson (a writer for Plant Sumo) has been on a mission to alleviate suffering and spread joy through edible alchemy. She created Bona Dea Chocolatier to honor cacao’s ancient role in medicine, while celebrating its alluring beauty as an artistic medium. She combines years of training in both eastern and western herbalism with her previous career as a personal chef to create chocolates that are both delicious and functional.

Checkout Amy’s: LinkedIn

Company Profiles

Website, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Email

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

Honestly, exercise is the biggest reset button for me.

In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?

Setting clear boundaries in my relationships.

If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — what would it say and why?

"Throw away morality and justice and people will do the right thing. Throw away industry and profit and there won't be any theives." --Lao Zi

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

I would not have pursued an advanced degree and entrepreneurship if the primary relationship of my 20s hadn't failed.

What is the most significant thing that someone much younger than yourself has taught you?

That most people are insecure and make poor decisions because of it when they're young.

Tell us about your business. What does it do and what value do you add?

I have two main titles. Chocolatier and Doctor of Chinese Medicine. My company (Bona Dea Chocolatier) is unconventional because it uses dark chocolate as a vessel for tonic Chinese herbs. It's an example of how a person can combine two seemingly unrelated passions to create their own career path.

Where do you see your industry in the next 5 years?

I sincerely hope that the chocolate industry will become more ethical--That the major chocolate manufacturers will stop using child slaves and work toward healing the wounds of colonialism. I also see the demand for high quality dark chocolate growing as more people recognize it as the superfood that it is.

How do you feel about artificial meat products and its role in vegan/vegetarian-ism's growth in the coming years?

Are we talking about Beyond Meat or soy and wheat gluten-based products? I'm all for anything that's ethical and healthy, especially if it can be made into something tasty.

What's your favourite colour?

Green

What's a myth about fitness that you most people believe to be true that's actually false

That more is more

What are you NOT Very Good at?

Math

What's your star sign?

Libra

What's your favourite vegan meal?

I can't choose a specific meal, but I love Indian and Thai food.

What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?

By far, long-term international travel.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?

Identify your values first, and your passions next. Explore as many of your passions as possible and keep an open mind. Work for other people and learn as much as you can. It will become clear early on whether you like working for others or if you're destined to work for yourself.

What careers advice would you give to your 21-year old self?

Don't worry about others judging you. People are usually projecting their own insecurities and their opinions don't really matter unless you can use them to grow.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I have fallen in love with photography, and I would love to learn videography.

What's your favourite holiday destination?

Italy

What popular celebrity do you admire the most and why?

Lizzo, for being a bad bitch / model of self-love and body positivity.

What one thing in life do you consider to be overrated?

Having babies

What's your favourite vegetable?

Spaghetti squash

What's your favourite type of exercise?

Yoga

If you could only do ONE type of exercise for the all around fitness what would it be?

Burpees

What's the most underrated type of exercise in your opinion?

Walking

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Papaya

About the Author

Heather Wilkinson

Heather Wilkinson is a globe-trotting content creator and PR enthusiast who’s finally put down roots in her native UK. When she isn’t working, you’ll find her pretending to care about Minecraft for her son’s sake, while secretly reading the latest Ace Atkins novel (or sleeping – her second favourite past-time).

We’re Plant Sumo, a London-based UK vegan meal prep service, delivering innovative, exciting, and flavoursome plant-based meals. If you’re on the hunt for healthy and delicious vegan food in London, look no further.

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Plant Sumo is a part of the Pearl Lemon Group . We also run three Cafe’s – Pearl Lemon Café (w/lots of plants), Pearl Lemon Catering, Pearl Lemon Boba, and How Matcha (come visit) in London!