Shane Hills
Managing Director, Koko Black
Koko Black commenced business in December 2003 and was founded by Shane Hills, co-owner of Suga Confectionary Group.
To start Koko Black, Shane undertook training at world renowned chocolate school ZDS in Germany and searched Europe for a Master Chocolatier: he discovered Koko Black's founding chocolatier,Dries Cnockaert, working in Belgium under the renowned Dominique Persoone at The Chocolate
Line, one of Bruges' most revered chocolate shops.
Shane was given a start-up grant to launch the business from the City of Melbourne, which recognised the new business' fit with the city's objectives of enhancing the experience of visiting the CBD.
"Koko Black started with the idea to create a world-class chocolate experience, not just a product sitting on the shelf. Every element of the business - from product, service and interior - was then grafted around that idea," Shane says.
Shane moved to Melbourne eight years ago from Tasmania. He worked in finance/banking until he
opened the Chadstone Suga store, and 12 months later purchased the entire Suga business with his father-in-law, Joe Carbone (then CEO of the Melbourne Eye and Ear Hospital). Suga has since grown to five stores and Koko Black to seven.
"From the very first thought, Koko Black has been a passion in my life; a means where I can focus my energy and a place where I can find about as many challenges as I like," Shane says. "I get the chance to work with an excellent team and together we work to provide something very special to our customers.
"Mostly I think about doing things differently and in ways that people will enjoy, myself included."
Shane is married to Mirka. Their first child, daughter Sienna, was born in January 2006; their second daughter, Aurelia, arrived in November 2008. Chocolates named in their honour include the Sienna Strawberry and Aurelia Champagne Truffle.
