About Socola Chocolatier
Socola Chocolatier is an award-winning chocolate company that creates artisanal handcrafted chocolates and confections inspired by the diverse flavors of Vietnam.
We are led by our CEO and Chief Chocolatier Wendy Lieu, whose heritage and artistry permeates through everything we make.
Our origins
Co-founded by Wendy and her sister, Susan Lieu, Socola has always been a family endeavor. Wendy always had a passion for chocolate and was dreaming up (and cooking up) her own truffle recipes when she was a teenager. Susan is a perfect counterpart to Wendy, because her talent and acumen was in business and marketing. Susan was always finding and creating ways for more and more people to learn about and experience Socola!
During the early days, Wendy and Susan couldn't envision what Socola has become. The two sisters started off this business by selling directly to family and friends, setting up in front of their parents' nail salon during the Santa Rosa's Downtown Market in the summertime. Today, Socola is a vibrant business with an amazing team of staff members who work together to create the most stunning chocolates at our brick-and-mortar shop in the middle of San Francisco!
Far-reaching — and also community-centered
Socola has been featured in Forbes, NBC News, the San Francisco Chronicle, Zagat, and has a client list that includes Google, Tiffany, Sephora, and American Express.
Wendy has been honored with the National Association of Women Business Owners Aspire Award, PAAWBAC Monarch Leadership Award, the Renaissance Entrepreneur of the Year, and was named a Center for Asian American Media Rising Star. She is a graduate of UC Davis, Tante Marie Pastry School and the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.
Her community service includes active involvement in the East Cut Community Benefit District, mentoring high school students through Enterprise for Youth internships, teaching other small business owners at Renaissance, fundraising and giving support to the Catalyst Foundation and many other AAPI organizations.