Kobe Goodwin

Kobe Goodwin co-founded Slow Coco, a craft chocolate company making single-origin, minimal-ingredient bars with ethical sourcing. He started the business with his sister Tovia from the Bronx, NYC.

1 Episode

Kobe Goodwin's Bio

Kobe Goodwin is the founder of Slow Coco, a company that produces 100% natural, compostable coconut-oil-based products with a focus on simplicity and sustainability.

Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, Kobe was a college student at Loyola University Chicago. He started making lip balms in his bedroom in 2019 with just $200, formulating products with only four core ingredients: beeswax, coconut oil, and two others. What began as a small project quickly gained traction, and he made the decision to leave school to focus on building the business.

Despite turning down a $300,000 offer from Kevin O'Leary to maintain control of his company, the exposure catapulted the brand forward. The business hit the $15,000 sales milestone early on, proof that customers were hungry for transparent, minimal-ingredient personal care products.

Today, Slow Coco represents the Gen Z ethos: environmentally conscious, digitally native, and unafraid to challenge established players. Kobe continues to steer the company toward broader distribution while staying true to the slow, intentional approach the brand is named after.

Career Timeline

2017 — Enrolled at Loyola University Chicago
Begins studies in computer engineering
2019 — Founded Slow Coco
Started the coconut-oil products company from his bedroom with $200 in initial capital
2019 — Left Loyola to focus on Slow Coco
Dropped out of college to build the business full-time after early traction
2020 — Reached $15,000 in sales at Slow Coco
Hit first significant revenue milestone, validating product-market fit
2021 — Appeared on Shark Tank
Pitched Slow Coco on ABC's Shark Tank; received $300,000 offer from Kevin O'Leary which he turned down to maintain control
2025 — Featured on How I Built This Advice Line
Called into the Advice Line segment with Guy Raz and John Zimmer of Lyft to discuss Slow Coco's journey

Episodes

EP 776

Advice Line with John Zimmer of Lyft

Alan Somerfield

Lyft

Lyft co-founder John Zimmer returns to The Advice Line to guide three founders through scaling challenges. From a UK showerhead innovator expanding to America to a weighted vest bootstrapper financing inventory, and a craft chocolate maker balancing purpose with personal sustainability, Zimmer shares lessons from building a rideshare giant. His advice centers on testing assumptions before scaling, creative financing over waiting for capital, and protecting your health to serve your mission. The episode offers a masterclass in founder resilience from someone who's lived the startup journey.

Oct 23, 202550 min

Related Companies

Slow Coco

Slow Coco is a craft chocolate maker based in the Bronx, New York. They handcraft chocolate from bean to compost, creating bars and drinking chocolate that invites connection over distraction.

1 episode