We were lucky to catch up with Rudi Heshmatazad recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rudi , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
RAIRE isn’t just about chocolate; it’s about changing the way we think about indulgence. It’s about standing up to the old idea that sweetness must come drenched in sugar, cream, and decorated with artificial dyes to be joyful. I created RAIRE to prove that true pleasure can come from pure, mindful ingredients — that you don’t have to compromise your health to experience something beautiful.
My mission is to make this kind of joy accessible to everyone, to open the door wider for those who are often left out — whether because of their health conditions, lifestyle choices, or a simple desire for better and cleaner products. RAIRE is a rebellion against the status quo, crafted with heart, integrity, and a deep belief that food should honor the body as much as it delights the soul. Every truffle is a small but powerful invitation to choose differently, to savor more deeply, and to know that real indulgence comes from genuine care and love.
Rudi , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I never planned to start a chocolate company. Honestly, RAIRE came from a very personal place — from love and intention. A dear friend of mine was going through cancer treatments, and I just wanted to make her something that could truly nourish her — something clean, safe, and free from anything that could cause harm. I thought carefully about every ingredient. I left out all the sugars, dyes, and additives you usually find, and focused on what would actually support her — real fruits, nuts, dark chocolate.
Every truffle was made with the simple hope that it could promote a little vitality, maybe spark a little joy in her day. That was it.
But somewhere along the way, I realized it wasn’t just her. There were so many people looking for that same kind of trust — something they could enjoy without compromising their health. That’s when RAIRE became something bigger. A way to challenge the idea that indulgence has to come at the cost of wellness.
Today, RAIRE is a celebration of mindful living — a way to savor something beautiful, crafted with honesty, purity, and care. Every piece still carries the spirit of that first intention: to offer real nourishment, real love, and a small moment of comfort when it’s needed most.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
For me, resilience meant not settling for “good enough,” even when it would have been the easier thing to do. At the time, I was working a full-time corporate job — juggling deadlines, long hours, business trips, trade shows — all the usual pressures that could have easily become my excuse. I could have told myself, “This is all I have time for.” But deep down, I knew RAIRE deserved more. It deserved the best of me — not just the scraps of energy left at the end of a long day.
So I made the time — in the late nights and early mornings, even when exhaustion weighed heavy. I wasn’t just trying to make chocolate; I was trying to build something that carried meaning. A mission-driven brand that stood for more. I traveled to learn from those who had mastered their craft. I asked questions. I stayed curious. I kept pushing myself to reach higher, step by step. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn’t fast. But every time I chose to keep going — every time I chose to raise the bar instead of settling — I was building more than just a product. I was shaping a brand that reflected care, discipline, and real heart.
Looking back, resilience wasn’t just about working hard. It was about keeping a quiet promise to myself: that if I was going to create something, it would be crafted with all my heart — no matter how long it took, or how hard the road became.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
When it came time to fund RAIRE, I didn’t hesitate. I believed so deeply in the mission, the purpose behind it, and the quality of what I was creating, that I was willing to put everything on the line. I used the down payment money I had carefully saved to buy a bungalow home for my elderly mother — a dream I had held close for a long time, to bring her more comfort and peace. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew in my heart that RAIRE wasn’t just a business — it was a calling. I believed that if I stayed true to the values RAIRE was built on — purity, care, and integrity — it would grow into something worthy of that sacrifice. Funding RAIRE this way wasn’t just an investment of money; it was an investment of love, purpose, and an unwavering belief that something created with heart can change lives — starting with mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rairechocolate.com
- Instagram: RAIRECHOCOLATE
- Linkedin: RAIRE CHOCOLATE
