Emily Nichols, an entrepreneur and founder in the Master of Business Creation (MBC) program at the University of Utah, is on a mission to transform how Americans experience chocolate. Her company, Deep Dark Drinking Chocolate, brings the indulgent richness of European style drinking chocolate to a market more familiar with traditional hot cocoa.
Nichols’ love for chocolate began during her childhood on a family sabbatical to Switzerland. “I discovered that not all chocolate is created equal,” she said. That formative experience inspired her to develop a product that combines her passion for high-quality chocolate with a commitment to creating joy and connection.
Observing that the U.S. market for drinking chocolate was either too like hot cocoa or exclusively for niche chocolate connoisseurs, Nichols created a unique recipe. “I started experimenting with my own recipes and realized the drinking chocolate I dreamed of didn’t exist in the U.S., so I decided to make it myself,” she said. “I wanted it to appeal to casual chocolate lovers while satisfying the serious enthusiasts.”
Unlike hot cocoa, which is often made from cocoa powder and sugar, Nichols’ drinking chocolate features premium dark chocolate as its main ingredient. “It’s a thick, velvety brew, like what you’d find in Italian cafes or with churros in Spain,” she said.
Nichols’ entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by her varied personal and professional experiences. After earning a degree in graphic design from BYU, she took on creative roles in New York, Chicago, Austin, and Utah. From pop-up cards to stop-motion animation, her work spanned multiple disciplines, but her passion for chocolate remained constant.
Through the MBC program, Nichols has gained the support and confidence to transform her side project into a full-fledged business. She emphasized how the program has provided her with clarity and direction, and the collaborative cohort model has been instrumental. “The MBC program gave me the tools to approach my business with a plan instead of blindly moving forward,” she said. “My peers inspire me, and the faculty and preceptors give invaluable mentorship.”
For Nichols, Deep Dark Drinking Chocolate is more than a product — it’s a way to create connections. “It’s amazing to hear customers share memories my product brings back,” she said. “One person told me they had this in a Parisian cafe, and another said it reminded them of their childhood in Bolivia. It’s those moments that make this worthwhile.”
Beyond creating joy, Nichols is dedicated to making a positive impact. For every bag sold, her company supports a charity in Ghana that provides food and education for at-risk children. “Every bag helps a child stay in school and out of human trafficking,” Nichols said.
Scaling her business has been a leap of faith, but Nichols’ passion for her product has guided her every step. “I’ve taken this from a recipe I made for myself to something I can share with the world. That’s been incredibly rewarding,” she said.
To learn more about Nichols’ journey or to experience the decadent flavor of Deep Dark Drinking Chocolate yourself, visit deepdarkdrinkingchocolate.com. As Nichols puts it, “Drink your chocolate.”
