A Sweet Partnership: PLU students partner with Tonči Chocolatiers in Tobago

What if studying abroad meant more than just sightseeing? At PLU, business marketing students Audrey Blais ’26 and Kai Lewis ’27 got to do something pretty sweet – literally. As part of a January Term (J-Term) study away program in Tobago, they partnered with Tonči, a small-batch chocolate company, to help expand its reach.

One of their biggest projects? Building Tonči’s website from the ground up. Audrey noticed how much the chocolatiers relied on QR codes and suggested creating a site where customers could order products, book experiences, and learn about the company’s story. Kai focused on video production, and Audrey took charge of photography. Together, they crafted social media content to showcase Tonči’s chocolate-making process and rich history.

Tonči isn’t just a business – it’s a family tradition. Owners Carlina Jules-Taylor and Randy Taylor use locally sourced cocoa to make their delicious chocolate, carrying on skills passed down through generations. When Audrey and Kai arrived, they saw an opportunity to help Tonči grow by using the marketing skills they’d been developing at PLU.

Beyond marketing, their time in Tobago was about connection. “The most meaningful conversations I had were with Carlina and Randy,” Audrey shared. “Tonči isn’t just about chocolate – it’s about celebrating life.”

For Kai, the experience was eye-opening. “This was the farthest I’d ever been from my family, and instead of struggling, I found it liberating,” he said. “I realized I could handle things on my own, solve my own problems, and grow as a person.”

Through PLU’s J-Term study away program, students don’t just travel – they engage, create, and make an impact. Want an education that goes beyond the classroom? At PLU, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with communities around the world, just like Audrey and Kai.