Where nourishment meets magic—with Loco Love Founder, Emica Penklis

Your brand has such a beautiful energy behind it — how did it all begin?

Founded after I graduated as a naturopath in 2011, then found myself searching for more. After many sleepless nights of trying to figure it all out, and never being able to do so. One day, or year, I gave up trying and in 2013 a customer at the dispensary I was working in suggested I come and work for him. One of the first tasks was to create a healthy treat from my kitchen table in a tiny studio apartment. I created the coconut and Cashew, wore all the hats for many years and the rest is history!

What’s the deeper mission that guides everything you do at Loco Love?

Our mission that unfolded after countless Seredipitous experiences as the years went on.
Heal your heart and you heal the world.

At Loco Love, chocolate is a moment of intentional indulgence, a daily return to love and an invitation to taste the divine within. We call it Love Alchemy; a way of making and living where nourishment and indulgence belong together. Where healthy food becomes a portal back to your true nature.

Where pleasure and purpose are part of the same whole.

Love Alchemy is the art of having it all while remembering that you already do. That you are already whole. It’s a way of being in devotion to self, others, and the Earth.

To be human is to be of nature.
To be of nature is to be love.
Loco Love Chocolate is how we remember.

For someone discovering Loco Love for the first time, what treat would you recommend they start with?

I would start with our Classic Chewy Caramel, which just won the best food product at the Naturally Good awards this year. It’s a luscious blend of chewy coconut caramel enrobed in velvety dark chocolate, our take on an old favourite. It’s made with organic, plant-based ingredients, no cane sugar and infused with plant based collagen, for the ultimate healthier indulgence. An interesting fact, my husband and I created this revolutionary plant based, no added cane sugar caramel back in 2017 when we first met and it really has been a game changer for Loco Love.

What’s one moment that has really touched you on this journey?

Definitely the heartfelt stories we receive from our community. Hearing from customers who say our bars are the first foods they’ve felt truly safe to enjoy, especially those navigating disordered eating. Others share how a Loco Love is their sacred ritual after a stressful day and how it has kept them going in dark times. Stories like Mother’s hiding in cupboards for a moment of peace from the kids. These moments reflect our mission, which is to awaken people to their true nature through the transformative power of quality food. Knowing we’re creating a space for joy, a moment of real presence and healing, keeps us going when the workloads can feel overwhelming.

Where can people find your chocolate creations?

You can purchase Loco Love in premium retailers, wellness stores, and specialty grocers across Australia and select international markets. Our full range is also available online www.locolove.com and at our showroom in Byron Bay.

Check our stockists list for your closest stockists: https://locolove.com/pages/store-locator

Is there something exciting coming up you’d love to share with our readers?

We are launching a world first product in October, it’s been 3 years in the making and we are so excited to spread it out into the world. It’s a bit different to Loco Love, but it is absolutely designed to melt in your mouth, take to your next dinner party and share with your loved ones, or not!