Interview with Sam Ratto of Videri Chocolate Factory and Golf Golf Golf in Raleigh, NC

Summary: Sam and I talk all about chocolate and golf and the challenges of entrepreneurship!

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Big Take Aways:
- How Sam had to pivot from his original business plan.
- How golf relates to life.
- The power of blind foolish courage.

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About Sam:
Sam Ratto’s path to the craft of making bean-to-bar chocolate started behind the wheel of a 40-foot RV. Sam used to drive that RV around America slanging skate shoes to skateboarders, surfers, snowboarders and dirt bike racers. But when Sam lost that job in the Great Recession of 2008, he relocated to Raleigh and found a part-time job roasting cacao beans for a local chocolate maker. Sam fell in love with the art and science of making bean-to-bar chocolate from sorting to roasting, grinding and tempering. He quickly started day dreaming of opening his own chocolate factory. 

In 2011, Sam opened Videri Chocolate Factory in downtown Raleigh, joining the ranks of the less than two dozen bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the country at the time. Videri chocolate is made with the finest cocoa beans, cocoa butter and organic cane sugar. The company does not use artificial flavorings or fillers, such as soy lecithin, xanthan gum and emulsifiers. All ingredients are thoughtfully procured, using sustainable purchasing standards. Videri’s production facility is allergy friendly and the chocolates are made without tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy or gluten. 

Since 2014, Videri has won eight Good Food Awards for its chocolate bars and confections; the awards honor superior tasting products made by companies that demonstrate social and environmental responsibility. Its 4,000 square-foot facility in Raleigh’s Warehouse District is home to a small batch chocolate factory, coffee shop and chocolate shop. In 2023, Videri was named one of the 10 best chocolate shops in the country by USA Today. For five years in a row, Videri has been named Best Chocolate in the Triangle in the annual readers’ poll by Indy Week. Videri has also been featured in GQ, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Condé Nast Traveler, The Associated Press, Our State Magazine, North Carolina Weekend and many more. 

In 2017, the Triangle Business Journal named Ratto one of its 40 under 40 winners, which honors outstanding professionals under the age of 40 for their contributions to their organizations and to the community. In 2019, Ratto was honored by the publication in its annual CEO of the Year awards. The company has more than 20 employees and its products are available for purchase at its Raleigh location, online and at various retailers in eight states. More info: viderichocolatefactory.com. 

In 2024, he opened Golf Golf Golf Indoor golf lounge & club. Venturing into the golf space has always been a dream and now it is a reality for Sam Ratto. Swing on by, have a beer, high five your pals and have a blast.

Connect with Sam: Videri Chocolate Factory | Golf Golf Golf | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
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