I had a great experience working with Emkao through this Riipen project. My main responsibilities included creating, editing, and posting reels, along with assisting in other various tasks. I really enjoyed the opportunity to be creative, contribute to the brand's online presence, and try Emkao’s delicious products firsthand. This experience helped me strengthen my content creation and digital marketing skills. Thank you to the Emkao team for the opportunity!

Strengths of the Partnership Authentic Learning Opportunity EMKAO provided hands-on access to real products, business goals, and constraints, allowing us to solve actual problems (e.g., optimizing Amazon listings for ethical cocoa products). The company’s transparency about their sourcing story (Kotou farm, UTZ certification) helped us craft compelling narratives—a skill applicable to any consumer-facing role. Impactful Work Our deliverables (SEO-rich listings, outreach templates) were practically implemented, not just theoretical exercises. Seeing EMKAO’s products rise in Amazon rankings (#124 in Baking Cocoa) proved the value of data-driven revisions. Open Communication EMKAO’s team was responsive to questions about their process (e.g., cocoa powder mesh size, fair-trade priorities), which deepened our research accuracy. Areas for Growth Earlier Access to Metrics: Sharing past sales data or competitor benchmarks upfront could have helped us quantify improvements more precisely (e.g., “Listing A vs. B conversion rates”). Structured Feedback Loops: A mid-project check-in with EMKAO’s team would have ensured alignment before finalizing drafts. Final Thoughts This project wasn’t just about cocoa—it was a masterclass in adapting skills to a business’s unique needs. EMKAO’s commitment to sustainability and storytelling challenged us to think critically about how ethics and profits intersect, a lesson I’ll carry into future roles. To Future Students/Partners: If you want to work with a company that values both purpose and performance, EMKAO FOODS is a stellar choice. Be ready to dive deep into their mission—it’s what makes their products (and this project) stand out.

Emkao Foods’ Sales Process Optimization project is a great way to improve how we attract and manage customers to a product. As the Social Media Assistant, I’ve seen how social media can help drive interest in our products. I’ve learned that Creating more engaging content, encouraging direct customer interactions, and tracking how social media leads to purchases helped me understand what works best throughout the experience. While working on this project, I’ve noticed that clear messaging and well-timed posts make a big difference in customer engagement. I’ve had to learn the hard way thatmanaging your time from when you create the post to when you have to post them is very important!

Supportive and helpful. Highly recommend working with her.

I was given very little guidance with regard to the tasks and I was not properly taught how to complete the tasks given. When I would ask for guidance, there was no help from the employer and I was expected to know how to do everything. I received negative feedback (e.g. "Doesn't work") on the tasks I submitted with no guidance to improve thus defeating the purpose of this learning opportunity.

Ayissi was great to work with, very interesting company and she was always energetic and happy to help. Highly recommend!

Ayissi was an incredible employer. She was always there to answer my questions and always tried to meet with us at least once a week to check on our progress. Her instructions were always super straightforward, and I always knew what she expected out of me, and I could deliver exactly that. If you have the opportunity, I would 100% recommend working with Ayissi, as she supports you along the way and clarifies everything very well.

It was great working with Ayissi Nyemba; she consistently provided valuable feedback to our group.

Collaborating with Emkao Foods was a pleasure through the Riipen Level up internship program. Ayissi was a great mentor who showcased remarkable professionalism as well her expertise in the field me and my team were seeking to grasp. Overall a wonderful experience and would say to anyone who has this opportunity at their disposal to take it, it would not be one you would want to miss!

Reflecting on my time working with EMKAO FOOD INC, I'm grateful for the invaluable experience gained. Thank you, Ayissi, for your guidance and collaborative spirit!

Cultivates a supportive environment, clear communication, and opportunities for growth. I highly recommend working with this team for their professionalism and positive work culture.

It was a great experience working with Ayissi. She was so nice and kind all the time and allowed us to learn while performing work duties. She also gave us more time when we needed that.

I had a fulfilling experience collaborating with Emkao Foods. This project provided invaluable exposure and allowed me to refine my skills. Many thanks to AYISSI NYEMBA for granting me this opportunity.

We love working with Ayissi, glad to give her more work done for the webpage

Very easy to work with and consistent communication

Since joining this project, I have witnessed Ayissi's dedication and commitment to fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes collaboration, growth, and well-being. She consistently leads by example, inspiring us all to strive for excellence and encouraging open communication and feedback. Her approachability and genuine concern for the team's welfare create an environment where every member feels valued and empowered. I was grateful for the opportunity to work alongside her team and would also recommend others to work with Emkao Foods.

Working with EMKAO Foods has been a highly rewarding experience. I particularly valued the creative freedom in designing monthly campaigns, which enhanced my strategic thinking. This project provided many "firsts" for me, including writing blog posts and using new technology platforms. These opportunities have significantly broadened my skill set. The positive experience and supportive environment have motivated me to continue developing professionally with the company.

Ayissi is very professional and experienced in the Cocoa industry. It was a pleasure working alongside her to expand the availability of Emkao Products.

Great company with an excellent founder!

Thank you for the opportunity for allowing my team and I to explore a new venture of software development and wish you all the best!

Nice people to work for, interesting company and would definitely do it again

Ayissi has been incredibly helpful, maintaining consistent communication and providing valuable assistance in improving my work. Her support ensured that I never felt left behind in the project.

Emkao was a great experience to learn about Shopify and how to implement products

It was great as she was organized and we had meetings weekly to clarify any doubts and update the website.

Pleasure working with EMKAO

Flexible and organized employer; highly recommend working with EMKAO!!