Founder Feature: Yaniv Simpson of The Conscious Bar

Jan 30, 2026

Yaniv Simpson, founder of The Conscious Bar and maker of date‑sweetened craft chocolate, built a brand focused on radical transparency and compostable packaging. He discusses redefining chocolate as a wholesome indulgence, ethical cacao sourcing and traceability, the nine‑month hunt for compostable packaging, and the strategy of educating consumers before scaling to retail.

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ANECDOTE

Candy Store Ban Sparked A Mission

Yaniv was banned from a candy store at age five because he visited too often.
That childhood sweet-tooth shaped his mission to change how chocolate is perceived.

INSIGHT

Cacao + Dates = True Indulgence

Combining two ancient superfoods — cacao and dates — creates an indulgence that's also nutritious.
Yaniv argues a bar with only cacao and dates is genuinely good for you, not just 'better for you.'

ADVICE

Differentiate Chocolate From Candy

Do treat chocolate and candy as separate categories when building a brand and product.
Prioritize product quality, ethical sourcing, and compostable packaging to build consumer trust.

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In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Caitlin Bricker welcomes Yaniv Simpson, founder of The Conscious Bar, for an inspiring conversation about redefining the chocolate industry through radical transparency and intentionality. Yaniv shares his unique journey from getting banned from a candy store at age five to building a date-sweetened craft chocolate company committed to proving that chocolate isn't candy.

Yaniv discusses the inspiration behind The Conscious Bar—a mission to create chocolate that's truly good for you, not just "better for you." He explains how combining two ancient superfoods, cacao and dates, with zero additives creates an indulgent experience that doesn't compromise on health, ethics, or environmental impact. The conversation explores the complexities of sourcing ethical, organic cacao that meets strict Prop 65 standards while maintaining phenomenal flavor profiles.

They also delve into The Conscious Bar's commitment to 100% compostable packaging, building transparency into every aspect of the supply chain, and the decision to invest deeply in direct-to-consumer and social media education before scaling to retail. Yaniv reflects on the importance of intentionality in every decision—from nine months sourcing compostable materials to building a full creative agency in-house to educate consumers on why sugar isn't just sugar.

You will also hear about The Conscious Bar's community-building approach through educational content, their VIP Circle, and upcoming limited edition SKUs launching in early 2026 as they expand into natural grocery retail.

Tune in to learn how The Conscious Bar is challenging decades of cultural programming around chocolate by building trust, transparency, and a brand that refuses to compromise.

Listen in as they share about:

Origins of The Conscious Bar and Yaniv's Candy Store Ban
Why Chocolate Isn't Candy: Redefining the Category
Sourcing Ethical Cacao and Compostable Packaging
The Nine-Month Journey to Perfection Before Launch
Building a Creative Agency In-House for Education
Direct-to-Consumer Strategy and Community Building
Retail Expansion Plans for 2026

Episode Links:

Website: https://theconsciousbar.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconsciousbar.co
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaniv-simpson-aa72b22a/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-conscious-bar/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

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Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
Episode music by Super Fantastics