Today we’d like to introduce you to CB.
Hi CB, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I was always immersed in the arts. Whether it was dancing, drawing, or anything creative, that was how I naturally expressed myself to the world. It wasn’t something I had to force. It was just who I was.
At the same time, my first real example of entrepreneurship came from my mother. She’s a cosmetologist and community leader, and watching her showed me early on that building something of your own was possible. There were a lot of hurdles along the way, but what stood out to me was her resilience. She carried a level of grit and tenacity that pushed her beyond what was expected of her. She didn’t just work hard, she worked smart. She adapted, stayed consistent, and found ways to keep moving forward no matter what was in front of her. That example shaped how I approach everything.
Because of that, I became very aware at a young age of how much she was carrying. Not that I saw myself as a burden, but I understood the weight of everything she was doing. So I moved differently. I didn’t always participate in things like field trips or extracurriculars if I felt like it would add more to her plate. I wanted to lessen that load in any way I could.
And in my own way, I wanted to build something that would one day give back to her.
So I leaned into what I already had, which was my creativity. Art became my way of building something without requiring more from her. It was the one space where I knew I could create freely, using the gifts I already had.
As I grew, I started refining those skills. I picked up graphic design and began looking for ways to turn my creativity into something tangible. It started with putting my designs on t-shirts, but over time, I realized it was bigger than that. I wasn’t just creating designs. I was trying to communicate ideas, identity, and vision.
At that time, I didn’t have access to photographers, videographers, or people in my circle who were building in that space, and I didn’t have the resources to outsource it. So I had to figure it out on my own. If I was going to sell apparel, I needed a way to present it. I needed to build a world around it.
That’s when everything shifted.
Because I already trusted my creative instincts, I started teaching myself film, photography, and videography so I could promote what I was creating. What started as a necessity turned into another layer of my skillset. From there, people began to notice the work, and that naturally turned into clients.
As that grew, I kept expanding. I stepped into 3D animation, creative direction, and eventually web development. Each skill built on top of the last. It wasn’t random. It was all connected, and it all came from the same place. The need to create, communicate, and bring ideas to life without limitations.
What I also noticed was a gap. There weren’t many accessible, cohesive spaces where people could fully build and express their brand. That realization pushed me to think beyond myself.
That’s where Chocolate Bamboo Productions came from.
The goal was to create a space where people wouldn’t have to go in ten different directions to bring their vision to life. A place where creativity, branding, and storytelling could all live under one roof. Not just as a service, but as a partnership. We wanted to work alongside people who were taking that first step toward their vision and help them communicate it at a high level.
Even if someone came to us for one specific service, the standard was always the same. High quality, intention, and patience in the process.
The name itself carries meaning. “Chocolate” represents the diversity of the people we work with. Different cultures, different backgrounds, different perspectives. Everyone has their own flavor, their own way of moving through life.
“Bamboo” represents growth. Bamboo takes years of nurturing before it ever breaks through the surface, but once it does, it becomes one of the strongest plants there is. That mirrors the journey. Growth takes time, consistency, and belief before results are visible.
Our slogan, “We Are Artist,” is about redefining what art actually means. Art isn’t limited to painting or dancing. We believe art is anything you do in a way that can’t be replicated. The way you think, create, and execute. That’s what makes you an artist.
As we build, we moved with that same mindset. Slowly, intentionally, like bamboo. We started building a community, collaborating with creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who believed in what they were doing. Over time, that expanded into working with organizations, universities, and larger platforms.
And through that growth, we started to see the impact. Not just in the work, but in the people and brands we were able to support.
That’s really where our story begin.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
One of the biggest challenges early on was access. I didn’t have access to capital, equipment, or even a network of people doing what I was trying to do. When I transitioned into college, I had to figure out how to create opportunities for myself while also supporting myself.
I had support around me in terms of family and encouragement, but when it came specifically to the path I wanted to take, it wasn’t something that was clearly laid out or readily available. There wasn’t a direct blueprint, and I didn’t want to limit my vision to what was immediately around me. I knew I had to take that first step of believing in myself and build something that aligned with where I saw myself going, not just what was expected or familiar.
Instead of waiting until I could afford to outsource things, I chose to invest in myself. I spent an entire summer working and saving just to buy my first camera going into college. I used money from my high school graduation to start my business. It required a lot of discipline and sacrifice, but it allowed me to create my own lane instead of waiting for one to open up.
Even after getting my first camera, there were still limitations. I didn’t have a proper computer or access to the tools I needed. The first computer I used was a used setup, and that was the first time I even had a real workstation to create at a higher level. Before that, I was staying after school just to use available resources and create what I could.
Another challenge was starting over socially and professionally. Moving into a new environment for college meant rebuilding my reputation from scratch. I had to find my place, build trust, and connect with people who understood the level I was trying to reach. That process took time and intentional effort.
As things grew, new challenges came with it. Learning how to navigate different clients, personalities, and expectations was a big part of the journey. I also had to learn the business side of what I was doing, not just the creative side. Understanding pricing, positioning, structure, and professionalism was something I had to develop over time.
There were also technical challenges. Working with outdated equipment, limited resources, and constantly needing to upgrade tools made the process slower at times. But it also forced me to become resourceful and maximize what I had.
Beyond that, one of the biggest lessons was understanding the importance of relationships. I had to learn early that growth isn’t just about what you know, but also who you’re connected to and the value you bring into those spaces.
Overall, the journey required resilience, discipline, and belief. Nothing was handed to me, but every challenge helped shape the foundation of what I’ve built today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Chocolate Bamboo Productions, we specialize in visual storytelling, branding, and creative execution across multiple mediums. That includes film and video production, photography, 3D and motion design, web and digital experiences, and overall creative direction. At the core of everything we do is helping people and brands communicate their vision in a way that feels intentional, elevated, and true to who they are.
What we’re known for is our ability to take an idea, whether it’s fully developed or just a starting point, and bring it to life in a way that feels cohesive and high-level. We don’t just execute, we translate. We find the strongest way to visually communicate something so it resonates.
One of our biggest strengths is our ability to identify what makes something work and elevate it. Whether it’s a small concept or a large-scale production, we approach it with the same level of care, creativity, and attention to detail. It’s about pulling out the strongest elements and building around that with intention.
What also sets us apart is how we work with people. There’s a level of patience and intention in our process. We understand that not every client comes in with everything figured out, so we take the time to guide them, build with them, and create an environment where they feel confident in the process. We’re serious about the work, but we also know how to create an experience that feels collaborative and enjoyable.
Another thing that differentiates us is that every piece we create is intentional. We’re not reliant on templates or quick solutions. Everything is curated to fit the person, the brand, and the message behind it. It’s not just about how something looks, it’s about how it feels and how accurately it represents who it’s for.
What I’m most proud of is the impact. Being able to start from a place with limited resources and grow into working with businesses, organizations, and institutions, and seeing how our work actually helps elevate their presence and tell their story, that’s what matters most. It’s also the community we’ve built along the way, collaborating with creatives and entrepreneurs who are serious about what they’re building.
At the end of the day, what sets us apart is our ability to combine creativity, strategy, and execution in a way that feels seamless, while still keeping the human element at the center of everything we do.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that might surprise people is that a big part of my foundation is actually in dance.
Before anything else, dance has always been one of my main forms of expression. It’s something I’ve been deeply invested in, and it still plays a major role in how I see creativity. I’ve competed, won multiple competitions, and even had the opportunity to perform on America’s Got Talent, which was a really pivotal moment for me.
In a lot of ways, that’s what led me into film. I became interested in video because I wanted to document my own dance performances and create visuals that fully expressed what I felt creatively. I wasn’t just focused on performing, I wanted to shape how it was captured and presented.
That curiosity turned into learning film, which eventually expanded into everything I do now.
So while most people know me for visual storytelling and production, a big part of that perspective comes from being a performer as well. That background still influences how I approach my work today, especially in how I think about movement, emotion, and storytelling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chocolatebambooproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chocolatebamboo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chocolatebambooproductions
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devounte-ho-hing-chocolatebamboo/?skipRedirect=true
