Phoebe Preuss - Living KoKo

Building Legacies, Not Just Businesses: Why We Back Our Youth

by Phoebe Preuss | May 1, 2025 | Cacao Body Scrub Products, Chocolate manufacturers Melbourne, Drinking Cacao Shop, Drinking Chocolate, Organic Chocolate Shop, Uncategorized, Wellness Blogs, Wholesale Chocolate

At Living Koko and Vaiusu, we believe in more than just ethical cacao and unforgettable cultural experiences — we believe in building futures.

Recently, we were invited by the Target Zero campaign to join a powerful panel discussion about the future of young people in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs. This important initiative focuses on keeping youth out of the justice system by creating meaningful pathways to employment, leadership, and purpose.

Giving Young People a Real Chance

We’ve seen firsthand what happens when you offer a young person more than a job — when you offer trust, training, and real responsibility.

🟤 At Living Koko, our young team members do more than pack orders. They engage in sustainable business practices, ethical production, digital storytelling, and cultural care. They learn that business can be soulful, sustainable, and socially just.

🟡 Through Vaiusu’s My Island Dream Festival, we created paid roles where youth were responsible for everything from vendor management to stage logistics and event marketing. We didn’t ask them to shadow — we asked them to lead. And they delivered.

Opportunity is Prevention

During the Target Zero panel, I shared this truth:

“I believe giving young people opportunities to see what options are out there is one of the most powerful ways we can prevent harm and unlock potential.”

We know that when young people are given space to grow, they build not only skills — they build confidence, identity, and connection. That’s how we break cycles. That’s how we build futures that are rich with possibility.

What We Need from Government and Community

To truly shift the story, we need:

💼 Paid internships and hands-on learning programs
💡 Micro-grants for youth-led business ideas
🧠 Culturally informed mental health and peer mentoring support
🔁 Wraparound services that see the whole young person, not just their resume

Because young people don’t need to be “given a voice” — they already have one. What they need is for us to listen, invest, and walk alongside them.

Join Us

Whether you’re a community member, business owner, or policymaker — you have a role to play. Together, we can create a future where our youth are seen not as risks, but as rising leaders.

At Living Koko and Vaiusu, we’ll keep building pathways and platforms for them to rise.

Because when you invest in young people, you don’t just grow businesses.

You grow legacies.

📍Learn more about our work at www.livingkoko.com
🔗 Let’s connect on LinkedIn: Phoebe Preuss – Living Koko

Honouring the Slow: Moving with the Seasons and Your Own Energy

by Phoebe Preuss | Apr 23, 2025 | Cacao Body Scrub Products, Chocolate manufacturers Melbourne, Events, Organic Chocolate Shop, Uncategorized, Wellness Blogs, Wellness Event

There’s something almost imperceptible in the air right now. A shift. Not quite winter, not quite summer. Just… something different. The earth turns, the weather changes, and somewhere in our bones, we feel it too.

As the wind cools or thickens with humidity, as the sun lingers or leaves earlier, our energy levels rise and fall like tides. It’s not laziness. It’s not distraction. It’s nature moving through us.

But in a world that celebrates speed, productivity, and constant motion, it can feel strange—uncomfortable even—to slow down. To nap instead of hustle. To drink tea instead of coffee. To listen instead of speak.

Yet this is the call of the season:
To listen. To honour. To soften.

At Living Koko, our work is deeply rooted in tradition and rhythm. The cacao we grow and use in our products doesn’t rush. It ripens in its own time, under Samoan skies, following the old wisdom of the land. We are learning to do the same.

So here’s your gentle permission slip—no, your invitation—to join the slow movement. To realign with nature’s pace. To honour your energy, wherever it may be today.

You might:

Take a long walk without your phone
Light a candle while you write or stretch
Brew a warm mug of cacao and simply sit with your thoughts
Say no to a plan that drains you
Say yes to a bath, a book, or an afternoon nap

Let your body be your guide, not your calendar.

As always, we’re here to offer not just chocolate, but ritual—grounding, nourishing, and made with care for these exact moments.

Slow is sacred.
Let’s honour it together.

🌿 Support Your Seasonal Self

As the seasons shift, so do our needs. Now is the time to replenish, restore, and nourish from within.

Our Living Koko Subscription Packs are crafted to support you during every cycle—especially the slow ones. Whether you need magnesium to soothe tired muscles, iron to balance your energy, or cacao to calm your mind, we’ve curated blends that move with you, not against you.

Honour your energy. Build a ritual. Feel whole.

Explore Wellness Subscriptions

The Paschal Moon: A Time of Renewal

by Phoebe Preuss | Feb 24, 2025 | Organic Chocolate Shop, Wellness Blogs, Wellness Event, Wholesale Chocolate

The Paschal Full Moon, also known as the Egg Moon, is the first full moon after the spring equinox. For centuries, it has signified renewal, guiding the timing of Easter and marking a transition from winter’s stillness to nature’s rebirth. This celestial event has long been associated with fertility, abundance, and the cycles of life—echoing ancient traditions that honored the power of creation and transformation.

Ishtar: Goddess of Love, Fertility, and Rebirth

Long before modern Easter, the Assyrian and Babylonian goddess Ishtar was celebrated as a deity of love, fertility, and war. Revered as a powerful force of renewal, she embodied the duality of creation and destruction, life and death. Her sacred symbols—the egg and the hare—represented fertility and the endless cycle of existence, themes that later wove their way into the traditions we recognize today.

From Ancient Rituals to Modern Traditions

Ishtar’s springtime festival honored the awakening of the earth, much like the renewal we now associate with Easter. Ancient celebrations included offerings of eggs as a tribute to her power over life’s continuous regeneration. Over time, these customs evolved, blending with various cultural beliefs to shape the way we celebrate the season today, from painted eggs to feasts symbolizing abundance.

Honoring Ancient Wisdom Through Chocolate

At Living Koko, we embrace these deep-rooted traditions of renewal and abundance. Our chocolate is crafted with intention, using ethically sourced cacao to honor the land, the community, and the cycle of life. Just as the Paschal Moon and Ishtar’s festival symbolised new beginnings, each bite of our chocolate is a connection to history, sustainability, and the joy of meaningful indulgence.

Buy our Easter Moon Creations Here

5 Health Benefits of Cacao You Didn’t Know About

by Phoebe Preuss | Jan 13, 2025 | Artisan Chocolate, Chocolate manufacturers Melbourne, Events, Organic Drinking Chocolate, Wellness Blogs, Wholesale Chocolate

At Living Koko, we’re passionate about the power of cacao. It’s not just a delicious treat or an indulgent snack—it’s a gift from nature that has been cherished for centuries for its healing properties. As cacao has grown in popularity, we’ve come to realize that many of its incredible health benefits are often overlooked. So, let’s dive into the top five health benefits of cacao that you may not know about.

1. Boosts Heart Health

Cacao is a natural source of flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that has been shown to promote cardiovascular health. Studies suggest that the flavonoids in cacao can help improve blood flow, reduce blood pressure, and lower the risk of heart disease. By regularly consuming high-quality cacao, you can help support your heart and circulation, leading to a more vibrant and healthy body.

2. Enhances Brain Function

Cacao contains compounds like theobromine and flavonoids, which have been linked to improved cognitive function. These compounds increase blood flow to the brain, supporting better memory, focus, and mental clarity. Whether you’re tackling a busy workday or engaging in creative projects, cacao can be your brain’s best ally. Its mood-boosting properties also help reduce mental fatigue and increase alertness.

3. Promotes Gut Health

Did you know cacao can be good for your gut? Raw cacao is rich in prebiotics, which are essential for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. A balanced microbiome is crucial for digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. Cacao encourages the growth of good bacteria, contributing to a healthy digestive system. So, indulge in a square of dark chocolate or a cacao smoothie to nourish both your body and your gut.

4. Improves Mood and Reduces Stress

Cacao is often referred to as a natural mood enhancer, and for good reason. It stimulates the production of endorphins and serotonin, the “feel-good” hormones that promote happiness and relaxation. This can be particularly helpful during stressful times, offering a natural and delicious way to uplift your mood. Cacao also contains magnesium, which helps to reduce stress and improve sleep quality, making it an ideal treat for relaxation after a long day.

5. Supports Skin Health

While cacao is often associated with indulgence, it also has incredible benefits for your skin. The antioxidants in cacao help protect against skin damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to premature aging. The high levels of polyphenols in cacao may even protect the skin from harmful UV rays. By incorporating cacao into your diet or skincare routine, you can support your skin’s health from the inside out, giving it a radiant and youthful glow.

Cacao is far more than just a delightful indulgence—it’s a powerful superfood with a wide range of health benefits that can enhance your life. At Living Koko, we’re committed to bringing you the best, sustainably sourced cacao so you can experience its full potential. Whether you’re enjoying it in its purest form or as part of a delicious chocolate creation, cacao can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your lifestyle. Embrace its health benefits and let it elevate your well-being!

Curious about Culture – Melton City Council

by Phoebe Preuss | Dec 5, 2024 | Events, Wellness Blogs, Wellness Event

Last week we had the honor of speaking at the City of Melton’s Curious About Culture event, focusing on Oceanic Communities. This inspiring initiative was thoughtfully curated by Henry Tamasese from the Community Development team at Melton.

Sharing the panel with Bou Hauraki from CMY, Marie Pewhairangi and Priscilla Maiava from Melton Warriors Rugby

Melton City Council has actively promoted and celebrated our community’s cultural diversity for many years and is continually striving to improve awareness and understanding of the economic, educational, social and cultural benefits of diversity and to mitigate the effects of discrimination and cultural isolation.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with local service providers and our vibrant Oceanic community, all working to uplift and empower our youth. We heard real, heartfelt stories about the challenges and triumphs faced by our people—spanning housing and financial struggles to the increasing incarceration rates among our youth.

It was encouraging to see the dedication of organisations like @charis_youthandcommunity, @centre.for.multicultural.youth, @nmp.kapahaka, @maori_warden, and many others. These groups are incorporating Oceanic perspectives and cultural frameworks into their systems, creating tailored solutions for our people.

At Living Koko, our mission has always been rooted in supporting the independence and financial empowerment of the Pacific. We are proud to stand alongside Indigenous and global Indigenous communities, who are working tirelessly to navigate and challenge post-colonial systems that, when examined closely, often disadvantage the very people they claim to serve. Our values are centered on collaboration, respect for cultural wisdom, and sustainability—not just of the environment but of our communities and traditions.

We stay true to these values by sourcing ethically, fostering transparent partnerships, and ensuring that our practices uplift the communities we engage with. Whether it’s through our fair-trade initiatives, community workshops, or advocacy efforts, we strive to honor the voices of our ancestors while paving the way for a more equitable future. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to shared knowledge, cultural resilience, and empowering our people to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Together, we work to create pathways to equity, healing, and strength for all.