https://www.diabetes.ca/media-room/press-releases/one-in-three-canadians-is-living-with-diabetes-or-prediabetes,-yet-knowledge-of-risk-and-complicatio#:~:text=Currently%2C%20one%20in%20three%20Canadians,opens%20in%20a%20new%20window).">Diabetes Canada, one in every three Canadians is either pre-diabetic or diabetic — and it’s no surprise, as Canada has become an industrial hotspot for sugar producers.

While we often don’t think about the sugar content in our sweet treats, some people must think about what they’re eating due to health challenges. One such person is CEO and Co-founder of ZoRaw Chocolate, Gigi Gill, who experiences autoimmune issues that contributed to her being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at an early age.

“I learned that by changing the foods I ate I was able to drastically reduce my health issues and put my diabetes into remission. One of the drastic changes I made was completely taking out all refined sugars, which unfortunately at the time included my biggest addiction: chocolate.”

ZoRaw Chocolate

It was only on a trip to Peru that she began learning the magic of chocolate making, and started making her own chocolates without the artificial ingredients, sugar, or empty calories. Leveraging her biochemistry background, Gill created a first-of-its-kind chocolate with great success.

“Seeing we were actually solving a problem during our small-scale launch fuelled me to want to scale and grow this even more.”

Daily Hive got a chance to speak with Gill about how she took ZoRaw from a basement factory to a national operation.

Creating a better chocolate

ZoRaw Chocolate

Traditionally, chocolates are packed with sugar and empty calories that aren’t actually that integral to the chocolate’s overall taste. These additives are where Gill saw an opportunity to innovate.

“I wanted to create a chocolate that didn’t just satisfy a sweet tooth, but also added value to your diet. I like to think of calories like money — you wouldn’t want to waste them on things you don’t need, or get ripped off!”

That’s why ZoRaw Chocolates are low in sugar and high in protein — because proteins are an essential part of a balanced diet and help curb your appetite. The trick for ZoRaw was balancing the protein to make the chocolate feel indulgent and not like a protein bar.

ZoRaw Chocolate

“What makes us truly revolutionary is that we’re not just another ‘healthier’ option. We’ve created a decadent chocolate that aligns with health-conscious goals without compromising on flavour or texture.”

With no marketing or awareness, ZoRaw gained its popularity through word of mouth, mostly because they’re helping solve a problem: overcoming sugar cravings in a way that tastes good.

From there, the business quickly took off, and after opening their own chocolate factory, they’re now in over 3,000 stores across Canada, eyeing international expansion. ZoRaw has also expanded its product line up to include bite-sized chocolates perfect for a quick pick-me-up.

Building the business

ZoRaw Chocolate

Because of the unique technical properties related to ZoRaw’s production, Gill says that ZoRaw had difficulty finding a manufacturer. So, with a DIY attitude, she took on the manufacturing in-house — with no prior experience in machinery operations, within a heavily male-dominated space.

“Contractors often bypassed me to speak to my male partner, who would always redirect them back to me,” Gill tells Daily Hive. “Despite this, I found unexpected support, including free resources that helped us test our machinery.”

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By investing in food tech and custom machinery while optimizing their product, Gill and the ZoRaw team scaled their production to where it is now: manufacturing 30,000 bars in a single shift. This production scale makes them one of the few young companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) space to manufacture at that level.

“I truly believed in the potential of our product, not only because of the difference it could make for consumers, but also because consumer trends showed a real demand for an innovative chocolate option.”

Creating community through chocolate

ZoRaw Chocolate

On top of all the health benefits, ZoRaw Chocolate is made with fair trade cacao, which Gill sees as a core value of their brand. It ensures the cacao farms are paid fairly and work under ethical conditions, which is crucial for supporting sustainable farming practices.

“As the first generation in my family not born on a farm, fair trade is non-negotiable for me — trust me, not choosing fair trade cacao would probably get me disowned at family gatherings!”

On top of this, Gill also helps to mentor other women entrepreneurs, specifically when it comes to the STEM and food industries — as a formal mentor at The Forum, a Canadian-based charity for women entrepreneurs, and WBE Canada a Canadian non-profit organization that is opening doors for Canadian women-owned businesses to supply chains across Canada.

ZoRaw Chocolate

ZoRaw’s community focus extends to job creation, partnering with local causes, and donating to charities like Seva Food Bank in Mississauga.

“Growing up with a single immigrant mother, I saw firsthand how the power of community can transform lives, regardless of scale … Whether it’s creating local jobs, supporting newcomers to Canada, mentorship … We aim to strengthen the community around us in every way we can.”

ZoRaw Chocolate

Through their mission to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world, Gill’s vision for ZoRaw has gone beyond just producing chocolate.

“I hope ZoRaw’s story inspires others, especially women, to be creative, push boundaries, and recognize that every small step today lays the foundation for something extraordinary tomorrow.”

Visit ZoRaw Chocolate’s website to learn more about their story, and search the store locator to see where you can find this game-changing chocolate to try for yourself!

This content is sponsored by TELUS as part of ZoRaw’s #StandWithOwners prize. Since 2020, TELUS has committed over $6 million through #StandWithOwners, providing funding, technology and exposure to Canadian businesses. For more information and to apply to win one of five grand prize packages valued at over $200,000 visit telus.com/StandWithOwners by September 3, 2025.