Lagusta's Luscious

Vegan Chocolatier Lagusta Yearwood on Running Her Business

"An artisanal vegan chocolate-maker founded in 2003 that has grown from a one-person operation into a staff of as many as 30, it is known for hands-on, old-school punk–DIY production and seasonal, labor-intensive confections. Recent hits include $30 butt-plug chocolate boxes that sell out immediately and a latke bonbon and dreidel chocolates made each December; a drinking‑chocolate sphere went viral in 2020 and created overwhelming orders and shipping headaches, prompting the creation of a two-person social-media team. The owner still prefers tangible tasks like packing orders and weekend “use-up” experiments, prides herself on reengineering recipes, and resists outsourcing—citing strict ingredient control and the desire to preserve the company’s aesthetic—even when doing so might lower costs. She’s pursuing side projects, including a THC edible offshoot of a CBD caramel line, as part of a broader effort to increase profits and pay workers more without abandoning the brand’s DIY ethos." - Emily Gould