We were lucky to catch up with Jerry Leam recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jerry, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

In my little kitchen, with the sweet smell of melting chocolate all around, I poured everything I had into making something special. It wasn’t just about the chocolate—it was about resilience and hope. During my battle with pancreatic cancer, I found that making luxury chocolates was incredibly therapeutic. Each piece I crafted was filled with love, dedication, and a bit of sweetness that reflected my journey.

Sharing these chocolates with others brought so much joy. Starting this business became a way to inspire and connect with people, showing that even in the toughest times, there’s always light and hope. My mission is simple: to spread a little sweetness and remind everyone that there’s always a way forward.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

From a young age, resilience was a defining trait in my life. No matter the challenges I faced, I always found a way to rise above and keep moving forward.

During a particularly tough period in my life, I found myself facing a battle with pancreatic cancer. It was a time of uncertainty and fear, but I drew upon the strength I’d built over the years.

One day, I decided to try something new to help cope with the stress and find a sense of purpose. I taught myself how to make luxury chocolates. What started as a simple hobby quickly became a therapeutic outlet, helping me channel my emotions into something beautiful.

Through Chocolux, my brand, I found a way to share my journey with the world. Each chocolate I make is infused with love, dedication, and a reminder of the strength to overcome.

Chocolux is more than just a brand; it’s a testament to resilience and hope. It inspires me every day.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

When I first learned how to make chocolates, it was never about starting a business. It was personal. I had just come through one of the most challenging times in my life—and I wanted to say thank you to the people who stood by me.

I returned to my job with a small box of handmade chocolates in hand, not for business, but for gratitude. I gave them to my clients—people who had kept me in their thoughts, who had sent messages, prayed for me, and rooted for my recovery. These chocolates were my way of saying, “I see you. I appreciate you.”

But something unexpected happened. They didn’t just accept the gift—they celebrated it. They posted about the chocolates on social media with captions full of love and encouragement. And soon, others began reaching out, asking how they could get some too.

What started as a simple gesture of thanks grew into something much bigger. The photos, the shares, the kind words—they turned social media into a powerful engine of word-of-mouth marketing. And just like that, Chocolux was born.

From gratitude came growth. From healing came a business built on love, resilience, and a little bit of sweetness.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I grew up in a place—and in an era—where being tough wasn’t just expected, it was survival. Toughness meant you didn’t show vulnerability. You didn’t ask for help. And you definitely didn’t spend time in the kitchen—because cooking, back then, wasn’t seen as something “tough” men did.

But life has a funny way of teaching you lessons, even when you don’t know you’re learning.

Every time I found myself in trouble as a kid, my grandmother and great-grandmother had a very particular punishment for me: the kitchen. While my friends were out running wild, I was peeling potatoes, stirring sauces, or standing over a stove. At the time, I thought it was their way of keeping me in line.

What I didn’t realize then was that they were giving me a gift.

Those moments—filled with the smells of garlic, butter, and simmering broth—became quiet lessons in patience, care, and craft. I didn’t see it as learning. I saw it as something I had to do, something that maybe took away from my image of being “tough.”

Years later, when I began my journey making chocolates—during a time in my life when I needed healing the most—I finally saw what my grandmothers had done for me. They hadn’t punished me. They had prepared me. They had passed down strength not through fists or fire, but through food, flavor, and family.

I had to unlearn the idea that having a basic skill like cooking was something to be ashamed of. It’s not. It’s powerful. It’s essential. And for me, it was the foundation of Chocolux and a new kind of strength—one built not on ego, but on purpose, gratitude, and love.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jacks_chocolux
• Other: Personal Instagram @LL_cool_jerry

Image Credits

Photo credit: Hillary Photography @Hillarybrownephotography