Influential Woman · Artisan Chocolatier
Aarti Khosla
Owner / President, Le Rouge-Handmade Chocolates by Aarti
Chester, NJ
Her Story
About Aarti
Aarti Khosla is the owner of LaRouche, an artisan chocolatier. With nearly 14 years in the field since starting around 2010, she brings together her background as an economist, prior experience founding companies in fashion and retail in India and the United States, time in finance, and international living across four continents. She holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and International Business along with a Master's in International Business. Self-taught in chocolate making, inspired by memories of her father bringing desserts from Paris, Khosla creates visually and tastefully beautiful chocolates that capture global flavors. She attributes her success to a strong belief in herself and adherence to her value system of giving, shaped by her upbringing in India. Through her Give a Little Love campaign, launched in 2016, the company donates 10 percent of proceeds to charities, with a primary focus on women's education and empowerment. Khosla advises aspiring professionals, especially young women, to conduct thorough research, pursue their work with passion and love, and ensure it feeds the soul beyond monetary gain. Her website is LaRoucheChocolates.com.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Aarti
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to belief in myself and sticking to my value system. Growing up in India where giving is a norm helped shape this. Chocolate gave me the opportunity to give back, which has been central to my journey. The foundation comes from being encouraged to think outside the box and never say I can't do it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice is to believe in yourself. This belief system, encouraged by my family, is the basis of every success. As in marketing's three P's, if you have the belief that I can do it, it works 99.9% of the time.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do your homework and research to see if it's right for you. Do it with passion and love because it will reflect in what you're giving. It has to feed your soul, not just be a path to monetary success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include lack of awareness about quality chocolate alternatives and few artisan chocolatiers in smaller towns. People question the price, and cost-cutting affects quality. Opportunities come from educating consumers that desserts should be high quality, and I've been blessed not to compromise.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Giving is most important on a basic scale. Chocolate allows me to give back and unifies people, bringing them joy regardless of mood. The Give a Little Love campaign embodies this value of giving back to causes like women's education.
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