chocolate moron business plan

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Suman Moron

BY : Bebs | Published: 10/21/ 2020 | Updated: 10/21/ 2020 | 5 Comments

A sticky rice cake with a chocolatey twist! Suman Moron is a Visayan delicacy that uses glutinous rice flour cooked in coconut milk mixed with cocoa powder. This one is made special by adding chopped peanuts .

If you love Suman with its mild flavor and grainy mouthfeel, you will adore Letye's quintessential rice cake with its smooth texture and chocolatey and (sometimes) nutty flavors. It is also fairly easy to make and would be a great breakfast or afternoon snack for your family.

What is it?

How to wrap chocolate moron, serving and storing, printable recipe, suman moron (chocolate moron).

Suman Morón or Chocolate Morón (pronounced with the stress on the last syllable) or Muron, is an Eastern Visayan sweet rice cake comparable to the Suman that we all know. Moron, however, is made by rolling two layers together. The first layer is vanilla flavored while the second one is mixed with cocoa powder and sometimes with peanuts added.

It is a popular delicacy in Leyte specifically in Tacloban City. It is always a part of local festivities such as fiestas, festivals, and birthdays. You will also see these commonly sold in pasalubong shops or stalls for tourists to bring home to their family and friends.

Typically paired with hot coffee or Tsokolate Batirol, a Filipino hot chocolate drink, for a complete breakfast or snack.

• Clean the banana leaf and cut into 6x10 inch rectangles. Prepare them by carefully heating to make them more pliable.
• You can brush them with oil or butter to prevent the mixture from sticking to the leaves.
• Place two spoonful of the vanilla-flavored mixture and flatten them in a 6x4- inch rectangle on the banana leaf. Place two spoonful of the chocolate mixture directly on top of the vanilla one and flatten it as well.
• Gently roll the layers together in a cylinder and tie the ends with kitchen twine.

You can also intertwine the vanilla and chocolate mix together instead of rolling the layers together. To do so, just roll the vanilla mixture into a ¾ inch log and do the same with the chocolate mixture. Place them side by side and then twist them together until it forms into one big roll.

You can enjoy the Chocolate Moron as is, but you can also add a few ingredients to make it extra special.

• You can add cheese to the vanilla mixture to give it a savory taste that will contrast well with the sweetness of chocolate.
• As mentioned above, it is best served with hot coffee or a hot chocolate drink.
• If you have a sweet tooth and would like to amp the sweetness, you can drizzle some latik or caramel syrup.
• If you would like it to have a more native flavor, you can also enjoy it with grated coconut on top.

For leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days to a week. Warm it using a microwave oven or steamer when you are ready to eat some more!

Here are some more Sticky Rice Cake varieties that you can sink your teeth into!

Ingredients   1x 2x 3x

Vanilla mixture.

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 cup glutinous rice flour
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 can coconut milk -400ml

Chocolate Mixture

• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped roasted peanuts optional

 12-14 pcs Banana Leaves – 6x10 inch

Instructions  , plain vanilla moron.

• In a deep pan, add rice flour, glutinous rice flour and sugar. Whisk to combine.
• Add coconut milk and vanilla extract.
• Simmer over low heat while stirring regularly until very thick, sticky dough forms. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Chocolate Moron

• In a deep pan, add rice flour, glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, and cocoa powder. Whisk to combine.
• Simmer over low heat until it thickens slightly. Add chopped roasted peanuts and continue to simmer until very thick, sticky dough forms. Transfer to a bowl to cool down a bit.
• Heat cleaned banana leaves to make them pliable.
• Divide the dough into 12 -14 portions each. Take a portion of the white moron and place it on top of one side of the banana leaf and flatten it about 6x4- inch rectangle.
• Place a portion of chocolate moron and spread it on top but just within the white one.
• Gently roll the two into a cylinder then wrap it with the banana leaf. Tie the ends with a kitchen twine or use a thin strip of banana leaf as a twine. Do the same with the rest of the mixture.
• Place the rolled suman moron in a steamer basket and steam over low heat for 30 minutes.
• Take them out of the steamer and transfer to a plate to cool down. Serve with hot coffee or hot chocolate.

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Graham balls, reader interactions, what do you think cancel reply.

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April 02, 2021 at 1:16 am

I’m drooling. I’ve been craving for this for a while now.

Question: Banana leaves is scarce here and expensive. Is there something that can I can use to substitute it?

May 27, 2021 at 11:35 pm

Hi Anne, what about corn husks?

Jemayma Newland says

October 22, 2020 at 5:52 pm

Can i just double the amount glutinous flour to replace rice flour? I have no rice flour available and can't get them easily atm.🙈

October 27, 2020 at 1:10 am

Using purely sticky rice will give you a very sticky dough it would be like tikoy. But if you are ok with that then sure go ahead.

Sydney says

February 08, 2021 at 12:50 am

Just use a blender to grind jasmine rice

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How to Start a Profitable Chocolate Business [11 Steps]

By Nick Cotter Updated Feb 05, 2024

Business Steps:

1. perform market analysis., 2. draft a chocolate business plan., 3. develop a chocolate brand., 4. formalize your business registration., 5. acquire necessary licenses and permits for chocolate., 6. open a business bank account and secure funding as needed., 7. set pricing for chocolate services., 8. acquire chocolate equipment and supplies., 9. obtain business insurance for chocolate, if required., 10. begin marketing your chocolate services., 11. expand your chocolate business..

Starting a chocolate business requires a thorough understanding of the market to position your products effectively and meet consumer demands. A comprehensive market analysis will help you gauge competition, identify target demographics, and understand trends. Here's how to get started:

• Research your competitors: Look into other chocolate businesses to understand their product offerings, pricing strategies, and market positioning.
• Analyze consumer preferences: Use surveys, focus groups, and sales data to learn what flavors, types, and price points appeal to your potential customers.
• Identify market trends: Stay updated on the latest trends in the chocolate industry, such as organic ingredients, fair trade practices, or unique flavor combinations.
• Study the supply chain: Understand where to source ingredients and materials, and the cost implications for your products.
• Consider legal and regulatory factors: Be aware of food safety regulations, labeling requirements, and any other legal aspects that could impact your business.
• Assess market size and potential growth: Look at industry reports and forecasts to estimate the potential market size and growth opportunities for your chocolate business.

Are Chocolate businesses profitable?

Yes, chocolate businesses can be profitable if they are run efficiently. Successful chocolate businesses focus on creating high-quality products, developing an effective marketing strategy, and finding innovative ways to reach customers. Additionally, businesses must ensure that production costs are kept low and that the pricing of their products is competitive.

Embarking on the journey of starting a chocolate business requires meticulous planning and a clear vision. Crafting a comprehensive business plan is the cornerstone of transforming your chocolate dreams into reality. Here, we outline the vital components to consider when drafting your chocolate business plan.

• Executive Summary: Begin with a concise overview of your business, including your vision, mission, and the unique selling points of your chocolates.
• Market Analysis: Research and describe your target market, current trends, customer demographics, and potential competitors.
• Product Line: Detail the types of chocolates and confections you plan to offer, highlighting any special or signature products.
• Marketing and Sales Strategy: Explain how you intend to market your products and outline your sales strategy, including pricing and distribution channels.
• Operational Plan: Provide information on your production process, equipment needs, suppliers, and any staff or expertise required.
• Financial Projections: Offer realistic financial projections, including start-up costs, funding sources, sales forecasts, profit and loss estimates, and break-even analysis.
• Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks and challenges your business may face and describe the strategies to mitigate them.

How does a Chocolate business make money?

A chocolate business makes money by selling chocolate products such as bars, truffles, and other confections. Chocolate businesses may also generate revenue by offering classes, workshops, and other chocolate-related activities. Additionally, businesses may offer custom-made chocolate products for special occasions, as well as wholesale and bulk orders.

Creating a brand for your chocolate business is critical as it sets you apart from competitors and connects with customers. Your brand should reflect the quality, uniqueness, and values of your product. Follow these steps to develop a compelling chocolate brand:

• Define your brand identity: Determine the core values, personality, and message you want your brand to convey. Are you targeting luxury consumers, health-conscious individuals, or perhaps eco-friendly buyers?
• Choose a memorable name: Select a name that resonates with your target audience and captures the essence of your chocolate. It should be easy to pronounce, remember, and ideally hint at the experience your chocolate provides.
• Design a distinctive logo and packaging: Your logo and packaging are often the first things customers will see. Ensure they are visually appealing and communicate your brand's values. Consider sustainability in your packaging if that aligns with your brand ethos.
• Develop a unique selling proposition (USP): Clarify what makes your chocolate different from others on the market. It could be your ingredients, manufacturing process, or even your company's social impact.
• Build a strong online presence: Create a professional website and engage on social media platforms where your target audience is active. Share your brand's story, values, and the craft behind your chocolates to build a community of loyal customers.

How to come up with a name for your Chocolate business?

Coming up with a name for your Chocolate business requires some creative thinking. Brainstorming is a great way to come up with ideas. Think of words that are associated with chocolate, such as sweet, delicious, creamy, and smooth. Then, try to come up with a unique spin on these words, or combine them with other words to create something that is meaningful and memorable. Finally, make sure to do a quick search to ensure your name is not already taken.

Once you've crafted your business plan and secured the necessary funds, the next critical step is to formalize your chocolate business registration. This legal step is vital for ensuring your business operates within the boundaries of the law and lays the foundation for your company's future growth. Here's what you need to consider:

• Choose a Business Structure: Decide whether your chocolate business will be a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation. Each has different implications for taxation, liability, and ongoing requirements.
• Register Your Business Name: Select a unique name and check its availability. Once confirmed, register it with the appropriate state agency.
• Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits: Research and secure all required local, state, and federal licenses and permits, including food handling and safety certifications.
• Employer Identification Number (EIN): If you have employees, you'll need an EIN from the IRS for tax purposes.
• Register for State Taxes: Depending on your location, you may need to register for state taxes like sales tax or payroll tax.
• File for Trademarks: Protect your brand by filing for trademarks for your business name and logo.
• Understand Ongoing Compliance: Stay informed about annual filings, renewals, or other periodic obligations to keep your business in good legal standing.

Resources to help get you started:

Unlock invaluable resources designed specifically for chocolate entrepreneurs, offering insights into market trends, operational best practices, and strategic advice for business expansion:

• National Confectioners Association: A hub for industry statistics, advocacy, and events in the confectionary sector. Visit site
• Confectionery News: Delivers the latest updates, market analysis, and technological developments in the global chocolate market. Visit site
• ChocoPro: Offers in-depth analysis, reports, and guidance on chocolate production, marketing strategies, and sustainability practices. Visit site
• The Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA): Provides resources, research, and forums for professionals focused on premium chocolate. Visit site
• Bean to Bar World: An online community and newsletter sharing insights, tips, and innovations for small-scale chocolate makers. Visit site

Before launching your chocolate business, it's crucial to ensure that you are fully compliant with local, state, and federal regulations. Acquiring the necessary licenses and permits is an essential step to legitimize your venture and avoid legal pitfalls. Here is a guide to help you through the process:

• Food Service License: Apply for a food service license through your local health department, which allows you to legally prepare and sell food items.
• Business License: Obtain a general business license from your city or county clerk's office to operate your chocolate business lawfully.
• Cottage Food License: If you plan to operate from home, check if your state has a cottage food law that requires a specific license for home-based food businesses.
• Resale Permit: A resale permit from your state's Department of Revenue allows you to purchase ingredients wholesale and sell your chocolates without being double-taxed.
• Health Department Permit: Pass a health inspection to get a permit from the health department, ensuring your chocolate-making facilities meet sanitation standards.
• Zoning Permit: Verify that your business location is zoned for commercial use and obtain a zoning permit if necessary.

What licenses and permits are needed to run a chocolate business?

Depending on where you are operating the business and the scale of your business, the specific licenses and permits you will need will vary. Generally speaking, you may need a state-issued food license, a Sales Tax Permit, and a Business License. Additionally, you might need special permits to operate a retail store in certain jurisdictions.

When starting a chocolate business, a crucial step is to establish a solid financial foundation. Opening a business bank account separates personal finances from business transactions, providing clarity and professionalism. Securing funding, if necessary, will ensure you have the capital to cover startup costs, inventory, and operational expenses. Follow these guidelines:

• Research banks and credit unions that offer business banking services. Compare fees, services, and the convenience of each institution.
• Gather required documents such as your business license, EIN (Employer Identification Number), and incorporation papers if applicable to open your account.
• Consider starting with a checking account that offers online banking for easy monitoring of cash flow and transactions.
• Explore funding options like small business loans, investors, crowdfunding, or grants specifically for food-related businesses.
• Prepare a solid business plan to present to potential investors or lenders, highlighting the market potential for your chocolate products.
• Keep track of all financial transactions meticulously, and consider hiring an accountant or using accounting software tailored for small businesses.

Setting the right price for your chocolate services is crucial for the success of your business. It balances affordability for customers with profitability for your company. Here are some steps to consider when determining your pricing:

• Cost Analysis: Calculate the total cost of production for each chocolate item, including ingredients, labor, packaging, and overhead. Ensure your price covers these costs and provides a suitable profit margin.
• Market Research: Investigate the pricing of similar chocolate services offered by competitors to ensure your prices are competitive. Adjust based on your product's unique selling proposition.
• Value-Based Pricing: Price your chocolates based on the perceived value to the customer, especially if you offer premium or artisanal products. Consider the experience, exclusivity, and quality in your pricing strategy.
• Dynamic Pricing: Be flexible with your pricing strategy to accommodate seasonal demand, special promotions, and bulk orders. Offer discounts or bundles to incentivize larger purchases.
• Pricing Structure: Decide if you will use tiered pricing for different levels of service or a flat-rate for simplicity. Both have their advantages depending on the nature of your chocolate services.
• Legal Considerations: Ensure your pricing strategy complies with all local and national laws, including taxes and fair trading regulations.
• Feedback and Adjustment: Regularly review your prices based on customer feedback and business performance. Be prepared to adjust your pricing to reflect changes in costs, demand, and market conditions.

What does it cost to start a Chocolate business?

Initiating a chocolate business can involve substantial financial commitment, the scale of which is significantly influenced by factors such as geographical location, market dynamics, and operational expenses, among others. Nonetheless, our extensive research and hands-on experience have revealed an estimated starting cost of approximately $22500 for launching such an business. Please note, not all of these costs may be necessary to start up your chocolate business.

When starting a chocolate business, one of the critical steps is to acquire the right equipment and supplies that will enable you to produce high-quality chocolate products efficiently. Depending on your business size, production needs, and the types of chocolate you intend to make, your equipment list may vary. Here are some essential items you should consider:

• Chocolate Melter: A machine designed to melt chocolate evenly without burning it.
• Tempering Machine: Essential for getting the chocolate to the correct crystallization temperature to ensure a glossy finish and a good snap.
• Moulds: To shape your chocolates, you'll need a variety of moulds that can range from simple shapes to intricate designs.
• Conching Machine: If you're making chocolate from scratch, a conching machine is vital for developing flavor and texture.
• Enrober: For coating truffles or bars with a thin, even layer of chocolate.
• Refrigeration Unit: To cool and set your chocolates after they have been formed or enrobed.
• Packaging Supplies: High-quality packaging to protect your products and enhance their shelf appeal.
• Quality Ingredients: Sourcing high-grade cacao beans, cocoa butter, sugar, and any other ingredients you plan to use.

List of Software, Tools and Supplies Needed to Start a Chocolate Business:

• Chocolate making equipment (e.g. molds, tempering machines, etc.)
• Computer with word processing and spreadsheet software
• Business plan software
• Accounting software
• Inventory management software
• Packaging supplies (e.g. boxes, bags, ribbons, etc.)
• Labels and stickers
• Website design software and hosting
• Marketing materials (e.g. business cards, flyers, etc.)
• Point of Sale (POS) system
• Credit card processing system
• Shipping supplies (e.g. boxes, tape, labels, etc.)
• Catering supplies (e.g. trays, platters, plates, cups, etc.)

Securing the right business insurance is a critical step in protecting your chocolate business against potential risks and liabilities. It helps safeguard your investment and provides peace of mind as you embark on this sweet venture. Below are essential guidelines to help you obtain the necessary business insurance.

• Assess your risks: Consider the unique aspects of your chocolate business that need protection, such as property damage, liability claims, and product contamination.
• Research insurance providers: Look for insurance companies with experience in the food industry and compare their coverage options, prices, and customer service records.
• Choose appropriate policies: Common types of insurance for a chocolate business might include general liability, product liability, commercial property, and business interruption insurance.
• Consult with a professional: Speak with an insurance agent or broker who can provide tailored advice and help you navigate the complexities of business insurance.
• Review and update regularly: As your business grows and changes, so should your insurance coverage. Review your policies annually or after any significant business changes.

Now that your chocolate business is set up, it's time to attract customers and make your brand known. A strategic marketing approach can introduce your chocolate services to the right audience and create a loyal customer base. Here are some key strategies to kickstart your marketing efforts:

• Develop a strong brand identity: Create a memorable logo, a unique selling proposition, and an attractive packaging design that reflects the quality and ethos of your chocolates.
• Build a professional website: Use it to showcase your products, share the story behind your brand, and enable customers to make purchases online.
• Use social media: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are perfect for visually showcasing your chocolates, connecting with customers, and running targeted ads.
• Partner with local businesses: Collaborate with cafes, restaurants, and shops to offer your chocolates, increasing visibility and reach.
• Attend food fairs and markets: These events can help you network, give out samples, and sell your products directly to consumers.
• Implement an email marketing campaign: Keep your customers informed about new products, special offers, and events with a regular newsletter.

Reaching step 11 in your chocolate business journey signifies readiness for growth. It's time to scale up, reaching new markets and enhancing your product line. Consider the following strategies to successfully expand your chocolate empire:

• Explore new markets by researching and targeting demographics beyond your current customer base. Consider international markets if your brand is well-established locally.
• Diversify your product range with innovative flavors, limited editions, or dietary-specific options like sugar-free or vegan chocolates to attract a broader audience.
• Invest in marketing campaigns that leverage social media, collaborations with influencers, or partnerships with complementary brands to increase brand visibility.
• Improve your online presence with a seamless e-commerce platform that facilitates easy ordering and provides a great customer experience.
• Consider wholesale opportunities or opening additional retail locations to broaden your physical presence.
• Attend trade shows and chocolate fairs to network with industry professionals, stay on top of market trends, and showcase your products.
• Secure funding for expansion through investors, business loans, or crowdfunding campaigns, ensuring you have the financial resources needed for growth.

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Chocolate Business

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Chocolate Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on April 1, 2022 Updated on March 13, 2024

Investment range

$3,000 - $8,000

Revenue potential

$78,000 - $390,000 p.a.

Time to build

0 – 3 months

Profit potential

$55,000 - $156,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Chocolate-covered peanuts and raisins, chocolate caramels, chocolate fountains and toffees, milk and dark – everyone has their favorite, which helps explain why chocolate is a nearly $20 billion industry in the US. If you’re a chocolate lover with some kitchen skills, you could start your own chocolate business and make good money while bringing smiles to countless faces. Fine, handmade chocolates sell at a premium, so if your candies are amazing, you could get a share of that huge market. 

But before you get started in the kitchen, you need to hone your business knowledge. Luckily, by reading this step-by-step guide, you’ll gain all the entrepreneurial insight you need to start a successful chocolate business. 

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a chocolate business has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you. 

• Share Your Passion – Share your skills and love of chocolate with others
• Good Money – Profit margins on chocolates are high
• Flexibility – Run your business from home, set your own hours
• Time Consuming – Making and packaging chocolates takes time
• Saturated Market – The chocolate industry is highly competitive

Chocolate industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – The US chocolate industry was worth $19 billion in 2021 and after declining modestly the previous five years.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/chocolate-production-industry/ ))
• Growth forecast – The US chocolate industry is projected to grow slightly over the next five years. 
• Number of businesses – In 2021, 3482 chocolate production companies were operating in the US. 
• Number of people employed – In 2021, the US chocolate production industry employed 43,017 people. 

Trends and challenges

Trends in the chocolate industry include:

• Plant-based and vegan chocolates are seeing greater demand, as are chocolates with fruits and nuts.
• Many chocolate companies are coming up with recipes that contain vitamins and antioxidants to boost the nutritional value of their chocolates.

Challenges in the chocolate industry include:

• Rising prices of cocoa, cocoa butter, sugar, almonds and vanilla are cutting into the profit margins of chocolate businesses.
• Cocoa farming is contributing to deforestation, which may lead to new regulations that cause cocoa shortages.

Demand hotspots

• Most popular states – The most popular states for candy makers are Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Indiana.(( https://www.zippia.com/candy-maker-jobs/best-states/ ))
• Least popular states – The least popular states for candy makers are New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Oregon.

What kind of people work in Chocolate?

• Gender – 55.7% of candy makers are female, while 41.1% are male . (( https://www.zippia.com/candy-maker-jobs/demographics/ ))
• Average level of education – The average candy maker is high school educated.
• Average age – The average candy maker in the US is 42.3 years old.

How much does it cost to start a chocolate business?

Startup costs for a chocolate business range from $3,000 to $8,000. Costs include chocolate-making equipment, ingredients, and packaging supplies.

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your chocolate business, including: 

• Candy thermometers
• Pots and pans
• Baking sheets
• Mixing bowls
• Refrigerator
• Packaging supplies

How much can you earn from a chocolate business?

The average price for a box of chocolates is $15. Your profit margin after the cost of ingredients and packaging should be about 80%.

In your first year or two, you could sell 100 boxes online a week, bringing in $78,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $55,000 in profit, assuming that 70% margin. As your brand gains recognition, sales could climb to 500 boxes a week. At this stage, you’d rent a production space and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 40%. With annual revenue of $390,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $156,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a chocolate business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• The skills to make tasty chocolates
• Entering a competitive market with large companies like the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company and Anthony Thomas

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a chocolate business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research chocolate businesses in your area and online to examine their products, price points, and what sells best. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a homemade chocolate business or chocolate liquor.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or chocolate-covered nuts.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your products

Your products will be from the recipes you develop. You should try to come up with unique flavors that will stand out in the market. 

How much should you charge for chocolates?

The average price of a box of chocolates is $15. You should aim for a profit margin of about 70%. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will be chocolate lovers, which is very broad. You should spread out your marketing to include sites like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out a production facility. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Chocolate Business Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “chocolates” or “chocolate candies”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Divine Delights” over “Vegan Chocolate Company”
• Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion

Discover over 310 unique chocolate business name ideas here . If you want your business name to include specific keywords, you can also use our chocolate business name generator. Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Business Plan for your Chocolate Company

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

• Executive Summary: A concise summary outlining the key aspects of the chocolate business plan, including its objectives, mission, and potential for success.
• Business Overview: A brief description of the chocolate business, covering its mission, vision, legal structure, and location.
• Product and Services: Detailed information on the types of chocolates offered, highlighting unique features, quality, and any special offerings such as artisanal or ethically sourced ingredients.
• Market Analysis: A comprehensive evaluation of the chocolate market, identifying target demographics, trends, and potential growth opportunities.
• Competitive Analysis: An examination of competitors in the chocolate industry, including their strengths and weaknesses, to position the business effectively.
• Sales and Marketing: Strategies for promoting and selling chocolates, encompassing pricing, distribution channels, and a marketing plan to reach and attract the target audience.
• Management Team: Introductions to key personnel involved in running the chocolate business, emphasizing their relevant skills and experience.
• Operations Plan: A detailed outline of the day-to-day operations, including the chocolate production process, quality control measures, and any necessary equipment or facilities.
• Financial Plan: A comprehensive overview of the financial aspects, including startup costs, revenue projections, and a break-even analysis, providing a clear picture of the business’s financial viability.
• Appendix: Supplementary materials, such as charts, graphs, or additional documentation, supporting and enhancing the information presented in the business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to chocolate businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your chocolate business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2023

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Funda ble and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a chocolate business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Chocolate Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a chocolate business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

You may need a food handler’s license. Check with your local governments for requirements.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your chocolate business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as  Poster ,  Brilliant , or  Bepoz , to manage your purchasing, inventory, sales, and payments.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial. 

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

For your chocolate business, the marketing strategy should focus on highlighting the quality, uniqueness, and sensory appeal of your products. Emphasize the craftsmanship, premium ingredients, and the range of flavors you offer. Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

Kickstart Marketing

• Professional Branding : Your branding should communicate elegance, quality, and the unique character of your chocolates, from packaging design to your logo.
• Direct Outreach : Network with local businesses, event planners, and gift shops to offer your chocolates as corporate gifts, party favors, or retail products.

Digital Presence and Online Marketing

• Professional Website and SEO : Develop an enticing website that showcases your chocolate products, shares your brand story, and is optimized for search terms using best SEO practices related to artisan chocolates, gourmet gifts, and luxury treats.
• Social Media Engagement : Use platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to post mouth-watering images of your chocolates, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the chocolate-making process, and special promotions.

Content Marketing and Engagement

• Chocolatier Blog : Share articles about the art of chocolate making, the origins of your ingredients, and pairing suggestions for chocolate with wines, coffees, or teas.
• Customer Stories and Reviews : Feature testimonials from satisfied customers and stories of how your chocolates have been part of special occasions.
• Educational Videos : Create content that demonstrates your chocolate-making process, explores different chocolate varieties, or offers insights into what makes your chocolates unique.

Experiential and In-Person Engagements

• Chocolate Tasting Events : Host tasting events where customers can sample different chocolates and learn about the chocolate-making process.
• Participation in Local Markets and Food Expos : Showcase your products at local farmers’ markets, food festivals, and expos to reach a broader audience.

Collaborations and Community

• Partnerships with Local Businesses : Collaborate with local cafes, restaurants, and hotels to offer your chocolates in their establishments or as part of their menu offerings.
• Community Engagement : Participate in community events, sponsor local activities, and collaborate with charities to increase brand visibility and goodwill.

Customer Relationship and Loyalty Programs

• Loyalty Rewards Program : Implement a program that offers regular customers discounts, early access to new products, or special members-only tastings.
• Referral Incentives : Encourage customers to refer friends and family with discounts or gift packages.

Promotions and Advertising

• Targeted Advertising : Use online advertising platforms, food and lifestyle magazines, and local media to reach potential customers who are interested in gourmet food and luxury products.
• Email Marketing : Maintain engagement with your customers through newsletters featuring new product launches, chocolate recipes, and exclusive offers.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your chocolate business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your chocolate business could be:

• Handmade luxurious chocolates because you deserve a treat!
• Homemade chocolates from our kitchen to yours
• Unique chocolates to tempt your tastebuds

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a chocolate business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in chocolate for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in chocolate. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a chocolate business include:

• Chocolate Makers – assist with making chocolates
• Packagers – package prepared chocolates
• General Manager – ordering, scheduling, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Chocolate Business – Start Making Money!

Chocolate is a treat that will never be obsolete. It’s a huge US industry that you can get it on with your own chocolate business. If you have excellent chocolate-making skills and make chocolates that your family and friends crave, why not make some money from it? You can start from home, and eventually have a production facility that you can use to develop your own chocolate brand.

You’ve done your business homework, so now it’s time to start confectioning your way to successful chocolate entrepreneurship!

• Chocolate Business FAQs

Yes, profit margins on chocolates are high. You just need to make a high-quality product with unique flavors and you can be successful.

You can take chocolate-making classes from The Chocolate Academy . You can access the classes by getting a membership which costs less than $10 per month. You can also take inexpensive classes on sites like Udemy .

Milk chocolate is generally the most popular type of chocolate. People prefer its sweetness rather than the bitter taste of dark chocolate.

You can generally sell homemade chocolate. However, you may need certain health licenses and permits at the state and local levels.

Cacao is the most expensive ingredient in chocolate. Other ingredients added to chocolate, such as nuts, increase the cost to make it. 

Dark chocolate lasts the longest because it doesn’t contain dairy ingredients. If it’s unopened it can last up to 2 years.

Luxury chocolates are made with more rare types of Cacao beans and contain a higher percentage of Cacao than other chocolates.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Chocolate Business Name
• Create a Business Plan for your Chocolate Company
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Chocolate Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Chocolate Business - Start Making Money!

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Famous Chocolate Moron of Eastern Visayas and How to Make Them

The Philippines is a country rich of history and culture. Tourists from all around the world come here for the beautiful and marvelous sites of nature such as the breathtaking islands of Coron, Palawan, the various waterfalls all around the nation, the tall volcanoes peaking over the clouds, and even the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

However, many of these tourists stay because of the people and the food. As the old saying goes, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”.

One of the delicious native delicacies found in the Eastern Visayas is the Chocolate Moron. It is a sticky rice cake shaped like a long cylinder mixed with cocoa powder to give it its distinct chocolatey taste. It is typically wrapped in banana leaves and eaten with hot cocoa during breakfast or as a snack.

It is pretty easy to make and worth it when you can finally eat it. Here is how you can make the Chocolate Moron; this recipe credits Foxy Folksy for the ingredients and the preparation. This recipe can accommodate up to 12 servings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 cup glutinous rice flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 can coconut milk -400ml
• 12-14 pcs Banana Leaves – 6×10 inch
• (Optional) 1 cup chopped roasted peanuts

How to make

• Add in the rice flour, glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, and cocoa powder in a deep pan and whisk to combine.
• Add in the coconut milk and the vanilla extract.
• Simmer over low heat until it thickens slightly.
• (Optional) Add chopped roasted peanuts.
• Continue to simmer until very thick, sticky dough forms.
• Cool down the mixture by transferring it to a bowl.

NOTE: If you want Vanilla Moron mixed with your Chocolate Moron like in the pictures, you can do so by making the vanilla mixture separately. Follow the same process above but without the cocoa powder and replacing the ¼ brown sugar with ½ white sugar.

• Clean and heat the banana leaves for wrapping.
• Divide the dough into 12 to 14 pieces.
• (If you have Vanilla Moron)  Place the Vanilla Moron on top of one side of the banana leaf and flatten it about 6×4- inch rectangle. Spread a portion of the Chocolate Moron atop the Vanilla Moron.  (If you don’t have Vanilla Moron)  Place the Chocolate Moron on top of one side of the banana leaf and flatten it about 6×4- inch rectangle.
• Gently roll the mixture into a cylinder to wrap it into the banana leaf.
• Tie the ends using a thin strip of banana leaf as a twine.
• Place these rolled morons in a steamer basket and steam over low heat for 30 minutes.
• Take them out and cool them down to eat.

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What To Eat PH

Wanna know what-to-eat follow us and drool as we feature the yummiest food here in the philippines..

Chocolate Moron Recipe 

It has been a while since we have given you something munch-worthy and we are here to correct that. Today we are giving you a popular Visayan delicacy called Chocolate Moron! 

Our Chocolate Moron, also called as Suman Moron is an Eastern Visayan sweet rice cake that is popular in Leyte, particularly in Tacloban City. This Filipino snack is made with glutinous rice flour cooked in coconut milk and then mixed with cocoa powder. With its subtle sweet flavor and grainy mouthfeel, this quintessential rice cake from Leyte is easily loved by many, including us. 

Speaking of our love for Chocolate Moron  we tried our hand at making our own and spoiler alert, it went absolutely great! We made ours by using its classic ingredients and then dazzling it up with condensed and a sprinkle of crushed nuts, giving us that smooth texture on top of chocolatey and nutty flavors. 

Honestly, making some Chocolate Moron was a fairly easy task. In fact, we would go as far as saying that making it was a fun activity to take on! We basically just mixed all the ingredients together for two types of Moron — one is chocolate moron and the other is plain or milky moron. After making each Moron into logs, we then combined those two by twisting them together, wrapping them in banana leaves, and then steaming them for some time. 

Once our Morons were ready, we then unwrapped them from the banana leaves and then topped them with some crushed nuts for that extra crunchy texture. This Chocolate Moron is no doubt a great breakfast or even afternoon snack that you and your loved ones could enjoy. 

You no longer need to wait for local festivities such as fiestas, festivals, and even family gatherings or even visit pasalubong stores wherein you can grab and enjoy some Chocolate Moron goodness since you can now make one for yourself in the comfort of your own kitchen! You can even pair this with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee like we did.

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How to Start a Chocolate Business

Crafting fine chocolate is a true art that takes mastery of candy making to the next level. Develop treats that your customers will go out of their way to purchase at a small shop or seek out for online delivery. You will be involved in packaging and marketing your sweets, and possibly running your neighborhood candy store along with the candy kitchen. Franchises for candy stores often feature products made at a distant factory, but are profitable in high foot-traffic areas and do not require candy making knowledge to operate.

Learn how to start your own Chocolate Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a chocolate business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Chocolate Business
• Form your Chocolate Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Chocolate Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Chocolate Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Chocolate Business
• Get Chocolate Business Insurance
• Define your Chocolate Business Brand
• Create your Chocolate Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your chocolate business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Chocolate Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your chocolate business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a chocolate business.

Should you want to start your chocolate making business from the comfort of your home, you can do it for about $5,000-$10,000.  You'll need to invest in quality thermometers, a cold table, additional refrigerators and freezers for your business materials. You cannot store product for public consumption with your family's groceries.  Should you be going full-scale, a small professional stand alone candy kitchen can be built for around $50,000 with room for packaging and an office area. Should you wish to add a storefront, start-up costs can skyrocket up to $200,000 depending on location and targeted clientele.

What are the ongoing expenses for a chocolate business?

Marketing will always be part of your costs.  Paying for supplies of ingredients and maintaining your kitchen will be your other major cost, followed by payroll.

Who is the target market?

If you operate a small kitchen, your perfect customer will value fine chocolates personally crafted for their enjoyment and be willing to pay a premium for your treats. For a bigger candy kitchen, target gift shops, grocery stores, and other local retailers who would be willing to sell your product on their shelves. Gift services such as flower shops and fine food baskets may hire you to provide chocolates for their larger designs.

How does a chocolate business make money?

For the finest chocolates, it takes time to create perfection. You will charge your customers for the highest quality ingredients and the hours spent crafting your product. However, lower quality chocolate generates the most money through volume, selling lots of small bags of sweets to hungry customers. Carefully target your audience before settling on recipes and pricing structure.

A one pound box of fine chocolates can run as high as $30.  For more ordinary chocolate, expect to charge around $7 to $10 per pound.  If you add special occasion packaging, tack on an additional 10% to the price.

How much profit can a chocolate business make?

The large volume companies have a lower profit margin of around 8 to 10%, while boutique chocolatiers can enjoy margins between 55 to 75%.  Your total profit for a year will depend entirely on the volume and type of product you produce and sell.  The home-based candy kitchen can earn enough for a nice vacation, or a well-positioned boutique can bring in $1,000,000 in annual sales.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Through constant business model review, cull any recipes that do not sell from your selection. Increase profits by supplying demand for your most popular items, answering your customers' desire for all things deliciously chocolate.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your chocolate business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a chocolate business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Food establishments are randomly inspected by the local health department on a regular basis. These inspections will check for compliance with local health laws, typically related to prevention of food contamination. Tips for faring well on a health inspection can be found here .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Certificate of Occupancy

A chocolate making business is generally run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location :
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a  chocolate making business.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
• If you plan to purchase or build a location :
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your chocolate making business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Chocolate Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Chocolate Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a chocolate business

Taste is everything in the chocolate world. When introducing your business to potential clients, whether a distributor or individual, they will need a sample of the product they are purchasing. Consider a direct-mail sampling campaign to kick-off your success. If you are opening a single shop, make sure to hold a grand opening with lots of freebies for your guests. Target a busy holiday like Christmas, Valentine's Day or Easter for your opening, as more people will be looking to add chocolate to their shopping list.

How to keep customers coming back

During your initial year, consider holding a several sampling campaigns at malls, grocery stores or farmers markets. Create a direct mail campaign with attractive photos depicting your sweets and their gift-worthy packaging. An attractive box with festive ribbon helps to draw the eye and encourage customers to pay an additional premium. Customers will keep coming back when they eat your delicious chocolate.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

If you love creating new and original chocolate treats, and enjoy spending hours every day crafting fine candies, opening your own chocolate making business might be right for you. The successful candidate will also enjoy teaching others to duplicate their recipes, manage portion control, market their products, and balance the books.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a chocolate business?

When you own a chocolate making business, you can expect to complete these tasks on any given day:

• Craft fine chocolates with a keen attention to detail and consistency
• Adhere to sanitary food preparation guidelines according to your Board of Health
• Clean the kitchen
• Order supplies
• Conduct quality control tests
• Train chocolatiers in new recipes and products
• Pack candies for shipment or delivery with attention to maintaining product quality
• Market your product and business to potential customers nearby and online
• Pay invoices and collect payments
• Complete payroll for your staff
• Operate your store, if included with your business model
• Inform consumers of ingredients with complete list of potential allergens

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful chocolate business?

• Good palate and appreciation of what fine chocolate tastes and looks like
• Extensive knowledge of the art of chocolate making
• Basic accounting and personnel knowledge
• Safe food handling practices that include obtaining proper certifications
• Good marketing background
• Understanding of packaging/display and how that affects your customer's perception of your product
• Knowledge of product distribution networks/shipping options

What is the growth potential for a chocolate business?

Should you create a new chocolate treat that takes your neighborhood by storm, expansion into larger candy stores, distribution to more outlets and increasing internet sales provide endless opportunities for expansion.  However, success begins with the best chocolates.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a chocolate business?

Find your superstar sweet that will become your specialty.  It must stand out from the generic checkout candy and easily compete with big brand name treats found in popular mall stores. Sampling your creation helps to get consumers excited about your product who will then spread the word for you. Think about conducting sales at high-traffic events such as fairs, pop-up mall locations, and cooking trade shows.

How and when to build a team

If you are opening a large kitchen from the beginning, you will need to hire chocolatiers during your research and testing period in order to perfect your product before you sell the first unit. For the home baker, you may wish to hire a business partner when distribution starts to outpace your capacity.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• Franchise Opportunity with Peterbrooke Chocolatier
• Fine Chocolate Industry Association
• Professional School of Chocolate Arts

Real World Examples

• Socola Chocolatier
• The Velvet Chocolatier
• Schakolad Chocolate Factory

Further Reading

• 7 Step to start a candy or chocolate business

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

• How to Start a Chocolate Business in 2022: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How much does it cost to start a chocolate business?

Is chocolate a good business to start? How much money do you need to start a chocolate business? Is it profitable? What machines do you need? Which all licenses you will need?

There's a lot to consider.

But before you seek answers to any of the above questions, it is a good idea to take a minute to consider why in the first place you want to do a business?

Whatever the reason for wanting to start, now’s a great time to kickstart your chocolate startup. Research shows that the chocolate industry is booming, continuously growing year after year.  According to Statista, the chocolate confectionery market revenue in the US is expected to increase from $48 billion (as of 2021) to around $59 billion by 2027.

Looking at these numbers, we can see that there is indeed a good opportunity for an online chocolate business. Of course, if you want to get a piece of that market, you need to have a good business plan. 

Our guide below will go over everything you need to know about how to start a chocolate business. It takes a lot of planning, but you can successfully start your own chocolate company even from home if you’re ready to dedicate time to it.

How to Start a Chocolate Business in 13 Steps

• Identify the market and opportunity
• Decide what type of chocolate business to start
• Perfect your craft & product selection
• Write a chocolate business plan
• Decide on a business entity structure
• Choose a business name
• Get necessary permits and licenses for your chocolate business
• Register your business for taxes and obtain an EIN
• Get your finances in order
• Secure funding for your business
• Build brand for your chocolate business
• Prepare your business website
• Spread the word

Step 1: Identify the market and opportunity

Now that you have decided on starting a chocolate business, the next logical step is to get a clear picture of the market you are hoping to enter. Having some baseline information of the industry you are entering and the other businesses that you will be competing with, is absolutely essential.

The Business

Broadly speaking, the chocolate companies create chocolates as an end product. As a chocolate business owner, you have multiple options to sell chocolates:

• Sell chocolates directly to customers from your own shop
• Collaborate with other businesses such as bakeries who may buy chocolates in bulk from you 
• Sell chocolates at small outlets such as farmers market or via kiosks in big box stores
• Via your own online store or on the marketplaces

You may decide to craft your own chocolates and sell them. Or, if you don't want to get into manufacturing and rather focus just on sales, you can do that too via franchising or business collaborations with chocolate manufacturers.

The Opportunity

Globally, the chocolate confectionery business is a trillion dollar business and The United States is amongst the world’s biggest chocolate consumers. According to recent statistics, on average Americans consume over 10 pounds of chocolate every year. 

Looking at such numbers, there surely is a big opportunity in the chocolate business segment. It is totally up to your craft and business execution to make it reach the business scale you want it to.

Know your customer

Along with everything else, one important thing you need to understand next is your customer. Some important things to ask yourself:

• Who will buy your chocolates? 
• Are you planning to craft chocolates for kids, teens or adults?
• Why will they buy your chocolates?
• How frequently do they buy chocolates?

When you get to know who your target customer is, it will be a lot easier for you to make a lot of decisions regarding your chocolate business.

Step 2: Decide what type of chocolate business to start

Before you can start your chocolate business, you need to know what type of business you want to own. You might want to own a franchise, build your own brand from scratch, purchase an existing business, or work with a chocolate manufacturer.

Each type of chocolate business has its pros and cons, you just have to find the one that’s right for you. Let’s take a closer look at some of your options.

If you decide on a chocolate franchise, you will purchase the rights to use the brand name and business model of an existing chocolate business brand. 

Independent chocolate brand

The biggest advantage of starting your own chocolate brand is to have full control over your business. You can choose which chocolate variety you want to sell, which all sale channels you want to sell on and the price points you want to target.

With this power, comes a big responsibility too. You will need to build your brand from scratch and will be competing with the big brand names as well.  

Purchase existing business

It could be possible that you may not want to start your chocolate business from scratch and also not be bound under a franchise agreement. In that scenario, you have an option to buy an existing business, whose owners are looking to sell.

This way you won't have to start everything from scratch and also may acquire a loyal customer base as well.

Work with another chocolate manufacturer

One other option that you choose is to work with another chocolate manufacturer, who can manufacture chocolate as per your specifications and brand them under your name. These chocolate manufacturers are generally business to business focussed companies, who do not want to get into retail directly.

As they will be doing the manufacturing, you won't have to invest in factories and expensive equipment. This along with the cost savings, will also help you in getting to market sooner than what it would take for you to start from scratch.

Step 3: Perfect your craft & product selection

Once you have decided on the target market, The next question that you may need to answer is the type of chocolate you want to start with. It is impractical ( and super expensive ) to start with all chocolate varieties available in the market.

It is a well known fact that if you scale your business organically, the chances of success are very high. Additionally, deciding on the product variety is also going to be helpful in deciding other costs that will come up soon on your balance sheet. 

For example, once you have decided the chocolate variety, you can finalize on the decisions such as where you will source your ganache from, what kind of molds you will need etc.

This exercise will also help you decide on the costs involved in starting your own chocolate business. Equipment such as Chocolate tempering machines, melters, vibrating tables, confectionery guitar cutters are expensive and run into $5000 - $10000. With a clear understanding of the type of chocolate you can make calls such as, if you need a 6 lb melter that costs around $899 or a 30 lb melter that costs around $4500.

That said, here are some most common chocolate types that you can choose from:

• Chocolate truffle
• Keto chocolates
• Luxury chocolate
• Chocolate pralines
• Swiss chocolate
• Vegan chocolate
• White chocolate
• Dark chocolate
• Bean to bar chocolate etc.

Step 4: Write a chocolate business plan

Next important step in starting your chocolate business is to have a clearly defined business plan. It will not only help in getting your chocolate business organized but will also help in showing its value to the potential investors whenever you look to secure funding.

Please note that writing a detailed business plan may take some time to complete. But it is an important step and will be very helpful in later stages of your business. It will be helpful to use a business plan template to make sure you cover all of your bases.

A business plan will act as a foundational document for your chocolate business. It will clearly lay out your plan of action and demonstrate to potential lenders, investors and advisors what it is that you plan to do with your chocolate business.

You can customize the business plan as the need be as there is no set format, but successful business plans usually include the following elements:

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Market analysis
• Business organizational structure
• Product & service details 
• Marketing & sales plan
• Funding requests 
• Financial projections.

Step 5: Decide on a business entity structure

Choosing the business structure is again a very important step in starting your chocolate business. Your decision on the structure will impact the taxes that you will need to pay, your ability to secure funding and also determine your personal liability related to your chocolate business.

As this step affects taxes and other legal responsibilities, getting expert help will be your best bet. 

For general business advice you can start by consulting the small business administration (SBA). Basically, what you are looking for is to determine which entity is the best choice for your chocolate business:

• A sole proprietorship
• Limited liability company (LLC)
• General partnership
• Corporation

Step 6: Choose business name

If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to decide on the name for your chocolate business. In the end you need to find a name that can be rightfully yours. 

As a part of this step, you need to double check that no other business is using the same name for their business. You can perform a Google search to determine that and also use the official state website name search to find it out.

In theory there are three names that you need to consider:

• Entity name that you will be registering your business in the state
• Trademark name that will make your business unique on the national level
• Doing business as (DBA) name, which is what you will trade under

Pro Tips : 

• While choosing your business name, also perform a search for the domain name. Because ideally you would not want to be in a situation where someone else owns the domain for the name that you have decided for your business
• A creative name can do wonders for your business, thus if possible you can hire services of a brand consultancy for naming.

Step 7: Get necessary permits and licenses for your chocolate business

You would want to make sure that you follow all the rules and regulations set up by the state and other authorities. This step will help you in the right zone and away from legal trouble and penalties at the later stages of your business.

As each and every state has its own set of rules and regulations, it is best to research the government websites ( the city, state and county), to get information about licenses and permits needed to start a chocolate business.

The rules and regulations vary according to the location and business type, but generally any food related business will likely need more licenses than most other businesses. Thus as you are planning to start a chocolate business, you should make sure that all the documentation and licensing requirements for your business are spot on.

Step 8: Register your business for taxes and obtain an EIN

Registering your business for taxes is an extremely important step in setting up your chocolate business. Not only will it make you an owner of a responsible business, it will also help you adhere to all tax, licensing and employment laws.

The business entity structure that you have chosen earlier will decide which all taxes you will have to pay and also when and how you need to file them to be compliant with tax laws.

As your chocolate business will need employees as soon as you launch your business, you will need an employer identification number, also known as EIN or business tax ID number. You will need to get it from the IRS and is an important part of filing taxes for your chocolate business.

Additionally, EIN will also be needed whenever you apply for any business bank account, credit cards or as a part of a business loan application.

Step 9: Get your finances in order

When you open your chocolate business, there is a very high chance that you will be using your personal money to fund the initial launch and set up. If not taken care of, pretty soon your personal expenses are bound to get mixed up with business expenses.

This mix up not only makes things difficult at the time of filing of taxes, but will also create difficulties in separation of personal and business assets in the event of a lawsuit. 

Opening a business bank account will automatically force you to create the separation and put you in the right financial path.

In addition to the business bank account, you should also apply for a business credit card. There will be plenty of options to choose from and most likely your chocolate business will be eligible for a 0% APR in the beginning. This credit will surely help you cushion the early stage of your chocolate business.

Step 10: Secure funding for your business

Starting a chocolate business is expensive and needs money, especially when purchasing equipment and bulk supplies. It is a no-brainer that you will need money to make money. Quite literally you will need money to make chocolates for your business.

In addition to the equipment and supplies you will also need to consider your requirements related to the rent, salaries and other costs. Even if you start your business small and may be from the basement, as you start to grow you will need to move to a location and hire people. 

Mostly these funding requirements will be part of your business plan that you have ready with you. Once you know the requirements you can consider the following as your funding options.

Some popular chocolate business funding options include:

• Small business administration (SBA) loans
• Business line of credit
• Debt financing
• Friends and family
• Crowdfunding
• Angel investment
• Venture capital

Step 11: Build brand for your chocolate business

It isn't a surprise that you will be competing with many other businesses when it comes to getting customer attention for your chocolate business. Professional branding is an amazing way to make your chocolate business stand out.

As a part of your target audience research, by now, you will have a fair idea of the price points and the competition landscape.

You will need to take branding decisions that will intentionally create a distinctive and compelling identity for your chocolate business. Every decision that you make will influence how your customers view your chocolate business.   

As a part of branding exercise, you need to consider the following areas:

• Brand identity
• Brand positioning
• Brand story
• Visual identity
• Brand voice and tone

For your chocolate business branding, you may specifically look at things such as product names, chocolate packaging and social media messaging. The key to a successful branding is consistency. The more consistent your branding is, the better it will be to acquire and retain loyal customers.

Step 12: Prepare your business website

A professional website is no longer a “good to have” thing to have for your business. When you launch your chocolate business, especially in the beginning, the customers will expect to have a place on the web where they can learn more about your brand and you.

A website also doubles as an ecommerce sales channel to your revenue strategy and thus is a wise investment. With the advance of technology, you can start your website in a matter of minutes by selecting from a set of amazing website tools.

Step 13: Spread the word

If you are confident that your customers will love the chocolates that you have crafted with so much of love and attention, you can be assured that they will be happy to tell their friends about it. When it comes to marketing, nothing can beat having a loyal customer base who is ready to do word of mouth marketing for you.

Consider spending some time building a presence on the following digital channels to spread the word about your awesome chocolate business:

• Social media: Definitely something on top of your list. You can choose a relevant social media platform or two and start building a presence on them. For your chocolate business, Instagram and Tiktok are worth checking out as many other businesses have found a lot of success on their social media marketing efforts.
• Email: Email marketing is the most underutilized marketing tool used by businesses. If you use it well, it will give your chocolate business direct access to your loyal customers. You can reach them with promotions and new product launches, as and when you have something to share.
• Review platforms: Even though the review platforms are considered more of a burden than being a boon, they actually are a blessing in disguise. Just remember that it is unrealistic to believe that each and every customer will love your chocolates. 

There would definitely be a set of people who may not like it for a reason. Rather than not being ready to take negative feedback, you can actually learn a lot from it. If there is something that genuinely needs to be fixed, by learning and fixing them, you will be helping your chocolate business in the long run.

The bottom line

Learning how to start a chocolate business can feel overwhelming in the beginning. But with patience, planning and attention to detail, you can make your chocolate business a successful enterprise.

As a chocolate business owner, you will need to focus on quality of your chocolates, branding, marketing and many day to day tasks.  But that itself won't be enough. To make sure that your chocolate business is successful, you will need to have a concrete business plan, all your finances in order and are compliant with all rules and regulations.

We wish you the best of luck and can’t wait to hear the stories of what you’ll build.

Businesses to Watch

Sweet Vegan Chocolates , NYC

This women owned chocolate brand provide natural, health-conscious chocolate options that everyone can enjoy even the ones with any dietary restrictions. Their homemade chocolates are made from vegan ingredient without nuts, soy and gluten.

Elements Truffles , Union City, NJ

Unique offering. Inspired by the science of Ayurveda, their artisanal chocolates are free from any dairy, refined sugar or emulsifiers.  The chocolates are infused with Ayurveda superfoods like turmeric, moringa, honey, etc.

Exquisito Chocolates , Miami, FL

This is a full bean to bar brand which using single source cocoa beans from around the world; with every chocolate piece presented like a piece of art.  They also provide tour of the store's on-site factory.

Explore related topics

Explore more, about the author, related articles, how to choose a dropshipping niche (step by step guide).

How to Cook the Best Suman Moron (Chocolate Moron)

May 30, 2020 by Eat Like Pinoy Leave a Comment

The Philippines’ geographical location makes it a very diverse nation, not just in culture, tradition, and heritage: the nation is also diverse in terms of food and delicacies that the people enjoy. This ranges from the most exquisite, even up to the most absurd, and even borders the exotic.

There are also native delicacies that made their mark not only for the locals but also for people who taste these delicacies for the first time. And each province has the signature delicacy they are proud of, treats that represent the locals’ value and tradition. Every bite is as good as sharing the life of the people who made them. 

And for this article, we will be sharing with you a native delicacy that will not only whet your appetite but will also surely spark your culinary curiosity. You might even start wondering, who’s the genius who came up with this heavenly concoction. 

With all these things that we just said, we know that by now, we have tickled your curiosity enough: and we do not want to prolong that curiosity, wondering what this delicacy might be. So let’s go straight ahead and share with you the things you need to know for you to cook the Best Suman Moron in your very own kitchen. 

What is Suman Moron (Filipino rice cake desserts)

Suman is a general term to describe rice cakes. But the idea of cooking them is glutinous rice flour that is ground, mixed with coconut milk, which is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until they are cooked. But the term suman is just an umbrella term, meaning multiple delicacies will fall under the category suman. 

But this particular rice cake or suman that we will share with you is truly unique in its own right. Only an innovative cook would be able to think of this kind of rice cake: a rice cake intertwined with tablea , which gives the rather plain tasting rice cake a hint of chocolate. Pair it with a cup of freshly made hot cocoa drink, and it feels like you’re transported back to the province. 

This Willy Wonka-like goodness of a rice cake is famous in the province of Samar and Leyte, regions located east of the Philippines. These regions are naturally dotted with coconut trees, that is why most of the native dishes and delicacies have coconut milk and other coconut by-products in them.

The suman moron structure is also a sight to behold: the glutinous rice flour mixture is gyrated or braided into a mix of the chocolate mixture after they are cooked separately. After “braiding” them together, they are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until they are thoroughly cooked and form a single rice cake. 

Ways to Cook Rice Cakes Recipes

For many, native delicacies are supposed to be cooked the traditional way for you to maintain their taste. That may be true at some point, however with the dawn of new kitchen equipment and the innovation of cooking techniques, the only way for these traditional delicacies to thrive is to adapt. 

And for a good home cook, there is nothing wrong with innovation; it actually makes their jobs easier. In this article, we included a few other ways that you can cook Suman Moron other than the traditional. 

Instant pot

The instant pot is probably one of the most functional cookware ever invented: its ability to do other cookware functions is genuinely a big help for any cook. With just a click of a button, you can choose which procedure is needed for whatever it is that you’re cooking. 

There are settings in the instant pot intended for different types of cooking needs. You can use it to saute ingredients, slow cook foods, and even steam rice. For that reason, we can use the instant pot for cooking Suman Moron as well. 

The process of cooking Suman Moron using this cookware doesn’t differ much from the traditional way. An instant pot has a steamer basket attachment, which you can use to steam foods: and you can use that attachment to cook our native delicacy. 

Simply follow the steps for cooking and assembling the Suman Moron; they may be a bit complicated a bit, the first time you do it: you’ll get the hang of it soon enough, so don’t worry too much. After wrapping the cooked mixture in banana leaves, put them in the instant pot’s basket attachment, and set the cooker to steam function.

Then let the instant pot do its job, and you can do other things while waiting for it to cook.

A stovetop cooker is an essential cookware that most Filipino households have. Others have the electric type, which is the more modern version, while others still use the LPG-fueled, which is cheaper than its more modern cousin. 

Either way, you can use them for cooking Suman Moron at home. The additional equipment you need to use is the stovetop steamer, and you’re good to go. You can use the aluminum type, which is easier to find, or the more rustic one, which is made from bamboo for that traditional appeal. 

Follow the steps as it is given in the recipe. After mixing them or braiding them together, put the prepared suman in the steamer and steam the rice cake for about 15 minutes or until they are cooked. 

Pressure Cooker

Who says that a pressure cooker is only for tenderizing tough cuts of meat. You just have to be a bit more creative so that you can use whatever cookware you have for your cooking needs.

The pressure and the steam buildup causes food to cook much faster; that is why this cookware is something that every cook must-have. You can achieve cooking suman using a pressure cooker by putting the wrapped rice cake in a pot and then putting them inside the cooker for about an hour.

For safety reasons, be sure to check the pressure cooker’s manual and follow the steps religiously to avoid any untoward incidents.  

Other Delicious Variants and Rice Cake Desserts Recipes

One thing we really like about native delicacies is that we can put our twist on them. We can be as creative as we can to make them fit to our liking. There are practically no rules as to the extent of variations we can do with them.

And for that, we have a list here of these Suman Variations that you can try cooking, so it can help widen your culinary horizon. 

Suman Moron with Coconut Curd

Just the thought of having a creamy spread put on top of a freshly cooked, hot off the steamer rice cake is enough to make your mouths water in excitement: so why not make something that is truly unique. 

Coconut curd is like custard spread, so in that sense, you already know how this will taste like. Creamy with the right amount of sweetness and spread on top of a chocolatey rice cake, what more can you ask for, right?.

To do this, you simply have to follow the recipe for the Suman Moron. Once you’re done with it, you can go ahead and make the coconut curd. Whisk together the sugar, eggs, and coconut milk, and slowly stir them in a heatproof bowl on top of a pot of boiling water. Do not use direct heat as it will cause the milk to curdle. 

Do this for about 40 minutes or until you reach your desired consistency. Once you are satisfied with the consistency, you can cool it down and use the curd as a spread.

Chocolate Moron With Nuts  

Adding nuts to any delicacies gives that dish a bit more body. The additional texture of crunch and that nutty flavor makes you want more of whatever that delicacy might be. 

There are a variety of nuts that you can choose from: you can use cashew nuts, pili nuts, or whatever you have available. You can even use almonds or walnuts if you’re feeling a bit generous. 

For a fuller taste of the nuts, chop the nuts finely and include them in the chocolate mixture. This ensures that the peanuts’ oils will incorporate well with the Suman Moron for you to have that nutty layer of flavor. 

Chocolate Moron With Latik

Latik is the residue of boiling coconut milk until all the milk turns into oil. The resulting residue is called latik, and you can mix this with sugar to sweeten it a bit. This sweet treat is often added to plain tasting rice cake to heighten its taste. 

The procedure is the same as cooking the Suman Moron as instructed by the recipe. So proceed with the steps indicated and steam the mixture after wrapping them in banana leaves. You can also lightly burn the leaves in the fire to give it a smoky overtone. 

Trivia about Chocolate Moron Desserts

The tablea that is usually included in the Suman Moron is a pure chocolate powder that is pressed and made into pucks. Contrary to popular belief, pure chocolate is not sweet. As a matter of fact, it is bitter. 

The history of suman, and generally rice cakes, predates colonial times. Our ancestors have been making rice cakes since time immemorial and make them as an offering to nature spirits, gods, and goddesses. 

Traditional delicacies can sometimes be challenging to make, but no worries because we got you covered. We made a list of tips that you can try to make your Suman Moron taste even better. 

• Use young banana leaves for wrapping. They are more durable and more heat resistant. 
• Use tablea if possible; they are tastier and richer in taste. 

Troubleshooting

Rice cakes may be challenging to master at first, and mishaps may occur along the way. But don’t worry because we have time-tested troubleshooting steps that can help you. 

• If the texture or consistency is not that firm, steam the Suman Moron for five more minutes to let the excess moisture evaporate. 
• If the rice cakes are sticking to the banana leaves, dab them with coconut oil. 

Best Serve With

Traditional dishes and delicacies are best eaten with other dishes that will heighten the dining experience. So we have a list of foods that may work well with our Suman Moron.

• Suam na Mais

Nothing spells comfort more than a warm bowl of chowder on a lazy afternoon. And partner this mildly salty and flavorful soup with our rice cake, and indeed this will be a trip down memory lane. 

• Tortang Alamang

The contrasting textures and flavors are sure to win the favor of your palate. And the rustic appeal of these dishes will take you to the countryside. 

• Minatamis na Saging

These are childhood merienda snacks that most of us grew up eating. Simple, filling, yet very heartwarming. These kinds of snack pairing make us want to relive our childhood days. 

The beauty of an archipelago is the diversity of many facets of people’s lives. Culture, tradition, the way of living, and the food that the people enjoy are really different. And that leaves us with a wide variety of delicacies that we can learn to cook and enjoy. 

And with that principle in mind, we know that you have been well equipped with the things that you need to know to cook the Best Suman Moron that your family will surely fall in love with. 

For more delicious recipe, visit Eat like Pinoy !

Best Suman Moron Recipe

• Banana leaves passed on stove flame (cut into 9 inches long and 6 inches wide)
• String (for binder)

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup Glutinous rice powdered
• ½ cup Evaporated milk
• 1 cup Coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• ½ cup White sugar
• 1 ½ cup Rice powder
• ½ cup Glutinous rice powdered
• 1 cup White sugar
• ¼ cup Cocoa powder
• ⅛ teaspoon Coffee
• ⅛ teaspoon Salt
• ¼ cup Peanut
• ½ teaspoon Butter

Instructions

For the main mixture.

• In a pan, combine powdered glutinous rice, evaporated milk, coconut milk, vanilla, and sugar. Mix well over low heat for 10 minutes or until it is smooth enough to mold. Set aside.

For the Chocolate Mixture

• In another pan, combine rice powder, powdered glutinous rice, cocoa powder, coffee, salt, coconut milk, evaporated milk, vanilla, and butter. Stir first before placing on heat.
• After mixing well, cook the mixture over low heat for 10 minutes.
• Let it cool for a moment, then add the peanut into the chocolate mixture.

Wrapping and Steaming

• Place one banana leaf on a flat surface, put 2 tablespoon of the plain mixture and chocolate mixture on the center of the banana leaf and shape it by placing together these 2 mixtures.
• Roll the banana leaf and tie a string on both sides. Do the same procedure with the remaining mixtures.
• Place all wrapped mixture into the steamer and steam it for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, serve and enjoy!

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How to write a business plan for a chocolate shop?

Writing a business plan for a chocolate shop can be an intimidating task, especially for those just starting.

This in-depth guide is designed to help entrepreneurs like you understand how to create a comprehensive business plan so that you can approach the exercise with method and confidence.

We'll cover: why writing a chocolate shop business plan is so important - both when starting up, and when running and growing the business - what information you need to include in your plan, how it should be structured, and what tools you can use to get the job done efficiently.

Let's get started!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a chocolate shop?

• What information is needed to create a business plan for a chocolate shop?
• What goes in the financial forecast for a chocolate shop?
• What goes in the written part of a chocolate shop business plan?
• What tool can I use to write my chocolate shop business plan?

Understanding the document's scope and goals will help you easily grasp its structure and content. Before diving into the specifics of the plan, let's take a moment to explore the key reasons why having a chocolate shop business plan is so crucial.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

It's rarely business as usual for small businesses. The economy follows cycles where years of growth are followed by recessions, and the business environment is always changing with new technologies, new regulations, new competitors, and new consumer behaviours appearing all the time...

In this context, running a business without a clear roadmap is like driving blindfolded: it's dangerous at best. That's why writing a business plan for a chocolate shop is essential to create successful and sustainable businesses.

To write an effective business plan, you will need to take stock of where you are (if you are already in business) and where you want the business to go in the next three to five years.

Once you know where you want your chocolate shop to be, you'll have to identify:

• what resources (human, equipment, and capital) are needed to get there,
• at what pace the business needs to progress to get there in time,
• and what risks you'll face along the way.

Going through this process regularly is beneficial, both for startups and existing companies, as it helps make informed decisions about how best to allocate resources to ensure the long-term success of the business.

To maintain visibility on future cash flows

Businesses can go for years without making a profit, but they go bust as soon as they run out of cash. That's why "cash is king", and maintaining visibility on your chocolate shop's future cash flows is critical.

How do I do that? That's simple: you need an up-to-date financial forecast.

The good news is that your chocolate shop business plan already contains a financial forecast (more on that later in this guide), so all you have to do is to keep it up-to-date.

To do this, you need to regularly compare the actual financial performance of your business to what was planned in your financial forecast, and adjust the forecast based on the current trajectory of your business.

Monitoring your chocolate shop's financial health will enable you to identify potential financial problems (such as an unexpected cash shortfall) early and to put in place corrective measures. It will also allow you to detect and capitalize on potential growth opportunities (higher demand from a given segment of customers for example).

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your chocolate shop, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your chocolate shop has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your chocolate shop, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Information needed to create a business plan for a chocolate shop

You need the right data in order to project sales, investments and costs accurately in the financial forecast of your chocolate shop business plan.

Below, we'll cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your business plan.

Carrying out market research for a chocolate shop

As you consider writing your business plan for a chocolate shop, conducting market research becomes a vital step to ensure accurate and realistic financial projections.

Market research provides valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other key factors that can significantly impact the commercial success of your business.

Through this research, you may uncover trends that could influence your chocolate shop.

You may discover that customers could have a preference for dark chocolate over milk chocolate. Additionally, market research could reveal that customers might be more likely to buy chocolate products that are made with organic ingredients.

Such market trends play a significant role in forecasting revenue, as they offer valuable data about potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By incorporating these findings into your financial projections, you can present investors with more accurate information, helping them make informed decisions about investing in your chocolate shop.

Developing the marketing plan for a chocolate shop

Before delving into your chocolate shop business plan, it's imperative to budget for sales and marketing expenses.

To achieve this, a comprehensive sales and marketing plan is essential. This plan should provide an accurate projection of the necessary actions to acquire and retain customers.

Additionally, it will outline the required workforce to carry out these initiatives and the corresponding budget for promotions, advertising, and other marketing endeavours.

By budgeting accordingly, you can ensure that the right resources are allocated to these vital activities, aligning them with the sales and growth objectives outlined in your business plan.

The staffing and capital expenditure requirements of a chocolate shop

Whether you are starting or expanding a chocolate shop, it is important to have a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) in order to ensure the success of the business.

Both the recruitment and investment plans need to be coherent with the timing and level of growth planned in your forecast, and require appropriate funding.

The staffing costs for a chocolate shop might include salaries for employees such as a store manager, cashiers, and production staff. The equipment costs might include items such as display cases, refrigerators, ovens, mixers, and other necessary tools and machinery for production.

In order to create a realistic financial forecast, you will also need to consider the other operating expenses associated with running the business on a day-to-day basis (insurance, bookkeeping, etc.). 

Once you have all the necessary information to create a business plan for your chocolate shop, it is time to start creating your financial forecast.

What goes into your chocolate shop's financial forecast?

The financial forecast of your chocolate shop will enable you to assess the profitability potential of your business in the coming years and how much capital is required to fund the actions planned in the business plan.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a chocolate shop are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

The projected P&L statement

Your chocolate shop forecasted P&L statement enables the reader of your business plan to get an idea of how much revenue and profits your business is expected to make in the near future.

Ideally, your reader will want to see:

• Growth above the inflation level
• Expanding profit margins
• Positive net profit throughout the plan

Expectations for an established chocolate shop will of course be different than for a startup. Existing businesses which have reached their cruising altitude might have slower growth and higher margins than ventures just being started.

The projected balance sheet of your chocolate shop

Your chocolate shop's forecasted balance sheet enables the reader of your plan to assess your financial structure, working capital, and investment policy.

It is composed of three types of elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: represent what the business owns and uses to produce cash flows. It includes resources such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: represent funds advanced to the business by lenders and other creditors. It includes items such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), taxes due and loans.
• Equity: is the combination of what has been invested by the business owners and the cumulative profits and losses generated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). Equity is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Your chocolate shop's balance sheet will usually be analyzed in conjunction with the other financial statements included in your forecast.

Two key points of focus will be:

• Your chocolate shop's liquidity: does your business have sufficient cash and short-term assets to pay what it owes over the next 12 months?
• And its solvency: does your business have the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term?

The projected cash flow statement

A cash flow forecast for a chocolate shop shows how much cash the business is projected to generate or consume.

The cash flow statement is divided into 3 main areas:

• The operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the operations (running the business)
• The investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.)
• The financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to investors and lenders

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to ensure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

It is also a best practice to include a monthly cash flow statement in the appendices of your chocolate shop business plan so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan, also known as a sources and uses table, is a valuable resource to have in your business plan when starting your chocolate shop as it reveals the origins of the money needed to establish the business (sources) and how it will be allocated (uses).

Having this table helps show what costs are involved in setting up your chocolate shop, how risks are shared between founders, investors and lenders, and what the starting cash position will be. This cash position needs to be sufficient to sustain operations until the business reaches a break-even point.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what goes into the financial forecast of your chocolate shop business plan, let's shift our focus to the written part of the plan.

The written part of a chocolate shop business plan

The written part of the business plan is where you will explain what your business does and how it operates, what your target market is, whom you compete against, and what strategy you will put in place to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified.

Having this context is key for the reader to form a view on whether or not they believe that your plan is achievable and the numbers in your forecast realistic.

The written part of a chocolate shop business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The executive summary, the first section of your chocolate shop's business plan, serves as an inviting snapshot of your entire plan, leaving readers eager to know more about your business.

To compose an effective executive summary, start with a concise introduction of your business, covering its name, concept, location, history, and unique aspects. Share insights about the services or products you intend to offer and your target customer base.

Subsequently, provide an overview of your chocolate shop's addressable market, highlighting current trends and potential growth opportunities.

Then, present a summary of critical financial figures, such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Lastly, address any funding needs in the "ask" section of your executive summary.

2. The presentation of the company

The second section in your chocolate shop's business plan should focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team of the company.

The structure and ownership part provides an overview of the legal structure of the business, who the owners are and how much each has invested and owns. If you are seeking financing it is important that the reader gets a clear picture of which legal entity is receiving the funds, and who controls the business.

The location part should give an overview of the premises from which the company is operating, and why that location is of particular interest (catchment area, accessibility, amenities nearby, etc.).

When describing the location of your chocolate shop, you may want to emphasize its proximity to a large population center. This could make it an attractive option for customers looking for a quick and convenient way to purchase chocolate treats. You might also point out that the area is growing in popularity and may be an up-and-coming destination for those seeking a unique experience. Finally, you could emphasize the potential for increased visibility and foot traffic due to the shop's location in a high-traffic area.

Finally, you should introduce the management team. Explain each member's role, background, and experience.

It is also important to emphasize any past successes that the members of the management team have achieved, and how long they've been working together, as this will help potential lenders or investors understand why they should trust in their leadership.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your chocolate shop business plan should include a detailed description of what your company sells to its customers. 

For example, your chocolate shop might offer a variety of chocolates, including single-origin bars, artisan bonbons, and classic favorites like milk chocolate. You might also offer chocolate-covered strawberries, custom boxes of chocolate, and hot chocolate. Additionally, you could offer chocolate-making classes and workshops, which would be a great way for customers to learn about the craft and the different types of chocolate while also having a fun, educational experience.

The reader will want to understand what makes your chocolate shop unique from other businesses in this competitive market.

When drafting this section, you should be precise about the categories of products or services you sell, the clients you are targeting and the channels that you are targeting them through. 

4. The market analysis

When presenting your market analysis in your chocolate shop business plan, you should detail the customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any regulations that may apply.

The goal of this section is to help the reader understand how big and attractive your market is, and demonstrate that you have a solid understanding of the industry.

You should start with the demographics and segmentation subsection, which gives an overview of the addressable market for your chocolate shop, the main trends in the marketplace, and introduces the different customer segments and their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

The target market section should follow and zoom on the customer segments your chocolate shop is targeting, and explain how your products and services meet the specific needs of these customers.

For example, your target market might include young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 who have a sweet tooth. These customers would likely be looking for unique and interesting chocolates that they can enjoy as a snack or give as a gift. They would likely be price-conscious shoppers who are willing to pay for quality but also value a good deal.

Then comes the competition subsection, where you should introduce your main competitors and explain what differentiates you from them.

Finally, you should finish your market analysis by giving an overview of the main regulations applicable to your chocolate shop.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your chocolate shop business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your chocolate shop faces a number of potential risks. For instance, you may encounter the risk of competition. There may be other chocolate shops in the area that could reduce your market share. Additionally, you could also experience the risk of spoilage. If your products are not stored properly, they could spoil and become unusable before they are sold.

6. The operations section

The operations of your chocolate shop must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your chocolate shop - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You may have key assets such as recipes and manufacturing equipment. These recipes and equipment could be essential intellectual property to a chocolate shop. Additionally, the shop might have a recognizable brand and logo that could be valuable and help differentiate the business from its competitors.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we discussed earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes into a chocolate shop business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours efficiently.

What tool should I use to write my chocolate shop's business plan?

In this section, we will be reviewing the two main solutions for creating a chocolate shop business plan:

• Using specialized online business plan software,
• Outsourcing the plan to the business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your chocolate shop's business plan

Using online business planning software is the most efficient and modern way to write a chocolate shop business plan.

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your chocolate shop's business plan

Outsourcing your chocolate shop business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

These writers possess valuable experience in crafting business plans and creating accurate financial forecasts. Additionally, enlisting their services can save you precious time, enabling you to concentrate on the day-to-day operations of your business.

It's important to be mindful, though, that hiring business plan writers comes with a cost. You'll be paying not just for their time but also for the software they use, and their profit margin.

Based on experience, a complete business plan usually requires a budget of at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax, and more if revisions are needed after initial meetings with lenders or investors - changes often arise following these discussions.

When seeking investment, be cautious about spending too much on consulting fees. Investors prefer their funds to contribute directly to business growth. Thus, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be negligible compared to the amount you raise.

Another aspect to consider is that while you'll receive the output of the business plan, you usually won't own the actual document. It will be saved in the consultant's business plan software, which will make updating the plan challenging without retaining the consultant on a retainer.

Given these factors, it's essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons of outsourcing your chocolate shop business plan to a business plan writer and decide what best suits your business's unique needs.

Why not create your chocolate shop's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write a chocolate shop business plan is not advisable. Allow me to explain the reasons.

Firstly, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel or any spreadsheet demands technical expertise in accounting principles and financial modelling. Without a degree in finance and accounting and significant financial modelling experience, it's unlikely that the reader will fully trust your numbers.

Secondly, relying on spreadsheets is inefficient. While it may have been the go-to option in the past, technology has evolved, and software now performs such tasks much faster and more accurately.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Moreover, software offers ease in comparing actuals versus forecasts and maintaining up-to-date forecasts for clear visibility on future cash flows, as we discussed earlier in this guide. Such tasks are cumbersome when using spreadsheets.

Now, let's address the written part of your chocolate shop business plan. While it may be less prone to errors, using software can significantly boost productivity. Word processors lack instructions and examples for each section of your business plan. They also won't automatically update your numbers when changes occur in your forecast, and they lack automated formatting capabilities.

In summary, while some entrepreneurs may consider Word or Excel for their business plan, it's far from the best or most efficient solution when compared to specialized software.

• Having an up-to-date business plan is key to maintaining visibility on your future cash flows.
• A business plan has 2 parts: a financial forecast highlighting the expected growth, profitability and cash generation of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to interpret and assess the quality of the forecast.
• Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this guide helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for a chocolate shop. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• How to write a 5 years business plan
• Business plan myths

Know someone who owns or wants to start a chocolate shop? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Essentials Of A Homemade Chocolate Business Plan

Do you love making chocolates? Are you a passionate chef who is always whipping up delectable chocolates? Are you always delighting your friends and family with your delicious homemade chocolates, always making them ask for more? Are your well-wishers always telling you to convert your scrumptious chocolate making skills into a profitable business? Well, then the time is right to turn your passions and entrepreneurial dreams into a reality.

Chocolates have been a sweet treat whose popularity will never cease. Made from cocoa beans, chocolates are the best mood-lifters and make every occasion a small celebration. And apart from being an all time favourite across age groups and an instant dessert treat, chocolates have certain health benefits too. Chocolates, especially dark chocolates, are known to lower blood pressure and have antioxidants and are also found to lower inflammation and thus lower the risk of heart diseases. And of course, chocolates are one of the best known aphrodisiacs.

But the market is currently brimming with the commercial chocolate bars which have been around for ages and there is very little in terms of variety and flavor. What the majority of consumers are looking for today is premium chocolates that are exclusive, healthy and locally produced using organic, safe ingredients and this need is fulfilled by the growing creed of homemade chocolate manufacturers. There is a steadily growing demand for homemade chocolates especially because they offer a lot of flavours and varieties and are made in clean, hygienic environments using standard, quality ingredients.

A homemade chocolate business is a rewarding business that does not require much investment, can be operated from the comforts of your home itself using the bare minimum equipment which is available at hand and with limited ingredients and raw materials too. Also, making chocolates is not too labour intensive and can be manufactured in a limited time period, thus providing you with the flexibility of time and effort. Additionally, the popularity of chocolates is never going to wane and therefore if you want to start homemade chocolate business , it is a great idea for aspiring entrepreneurs.

However, starting a home business , needs some preparation and planning in the beginning, even if the business is being operated on a smaller scale. A business plan helps in preparing for the business and ensuring that all the essential factors are taken care of, so that the business can make a smooth start, without any hiccups.

Homemade Chocolate Business Plan

A business plan refers to a written document which acts as a road map directing the business towards its goals and objectives by charting out the ways and methods to take in order to achieve them, along with an estimate of the time and investment needed to achieve these goals. A business plan is beneficial to every enterprise starting out, irrespective of its size as

• A business plan will help make the objectives of the business clear. Often entrepreneurs have a different image of the business and when they actually start the business, it is altogether different in terms of methods of working or the goals or the expected goals. Thus it is recommended to define the objective of the business clearly, by mentioning the targeted sales, the profits, the new products, etc, thereby defining the success of the business in objective terms.
• A business plan helps the entrepreneur stay on the business strategy, which might otherwise be forgotten in the daily routine and business related interruptions and tasks. The business plan acts as a written reminder of the strategy and helps stick to it.
• A business plan has written data about the market research conducted, such as the potential market, the market trends, the sales and pricing figures and strategies, etc which is important information but might otherwise be lost and be useless if not written in the business plan.
• A business plan outlines the milestones for the business and helps the entrepreneur or the team stick to these milestones. The targeted deadlines and important dates are adhered to thanks to a business plan.
• The business plan helps the entrepreneur to delegate the various tasks systematically since the tasks are outlined in detail in the business plan. Delegation helps get the job done faster and streamlines the various
• The business plan helps the business to manage its cash flow better as all the likely expenses are noted in the business plan.
• A business plan is also vital when applying for funding for the business as all the objectives, methods, financial requirements, etc.

These are just some of the benefits of having a business plan in place, for the homemade chocolate business too. There are some essentials that the homemde chocolate business plan must include in the format that is usually standard for all business plans. A business planning checklist will help understand the format and the essential details which need to be included in the business plan, regarding the business operations, the manufacturing process, food packaging and labeling of the chocolates, the selling of the chocolates, the marketing strategies applied for boosting the sales and various other details.

Essentials Of Homemade Chocolate Business Plan

Executive summary.

The executive summary of the homemade chocolate business plan describes the entire business in a concise manner including the type of chocolates the business will be making such as chocolate candies, nutty chocolate and rolls, chocolate cookies, fudge chocolates, caramelized chocolate bars and many more. Along with the type of chocolates, the location from where the chocolates will be made and the areas where they will be sold is also mentioned. The summary mentions the structure, entity and operation of the chocolate business in short.

Company Description

The company description is a detailed description of the entire homemade chocolate making business. It outlines the entire plan for the business such as the exact location of the place of manufacturing, which might be the home of the entrepreneur in this case or the workshop or place the entrepreneur might have taken as a manufacturing centre (such as a kitchen on rent or any other location), the detailed description of the type of chocolates the business will deal in, such as dark, white, milk and the various innovative concoctions in terms of flavors, fillings, shapes, etc., the list of ingredients (compound chocolate bars, flavourings, nuts, cocoa, fruits, etc), utensils that will be used for the chocolate making process (pots, pans, moulds, spatulas, gas, thermometer,etc), packaging details and other details regarding the business. Along with the business details, the company description also mentions the –

Vision of the business- what the business aspires to achieve over the years- for example how much the chocolate business wants to grow over the years, supply to which locations, have a certain turnover, all of which is mentioned in the vision of the business.

Mission- the mission of the business is what the business currently is achieving and aims to achieve in the present. The objectives of the business are also elaborated in the mission statement.

Further the company description also mentions the target audience they wish to reach out to with their chocolates and products.

Additionally, the homemade chocolate business too requires certain licences and registrations such as a Shop Act registration and an FSSAI registration along with a sole proprietorship registration or a partnership deed registration, depending on the type of business entity the entrepreneur wants to go ahead with for the business. This information and the details about the application status must be included in the business plan too.

Market And Competition Analysis

The market research and analysis is also an important part of the chocolate business as it helps understand what the audience likes, which chocolate flavours and types have more demand, what are the competitors offering, what is the pricing of the products in the market, how the other chocolate brands packaging their chocolates, and how are they marketing it. All this will help the entrepreneur decide the pricing, packaging, marketing techniques and chocolate varieties that the business must introduce into the market for the products to find an instant audience and liking for their products. The competition analysis and market analysis are essential factors that influence the sales and growth of the chocolate business and must be included in the business plan.

Management & Operations

The homemade chocolate business plan must also include the business management and operations details. This refers to information regarding how many employees or helpers will the entrepreneur need for the homemade chocolate business, maybe a worker to help with the cleaning and organizing of the kitchen and ingredients. Additionally it will include details regarding who will handle the sales of the chocolates, who will carry out the actual production of the chocolates, who will keep a tab of all the accounts and expenses, who will procure the licences, who will handle the daily tasks such as purchasing of the ingredients and materials, etc. In a single owner business, such as the homemade chocolate business, all of these tasks will be handled by the entrepreneur itself but a helper can be hired for some of the tasks or some activities can be given to external agencies to handle such as the accounting, procuring of licences, marketing and sales. The terms of working for the employee such as the work hours, the salary, the duties, etc must also be specified in the business plan.

Marketing and Sales

Another important aspect of a business is the marketing and sales, the details of which must be included in the homemade chocolate business plan. The sales can be carried out by supplying the chocolates to various department stores, grocery shops and supermarkets who will display the chocolates and aid the sales. Or the chocolates can be sold through participation in various food events and fairs such as farmer’s market or the entrepreneur can sell the chocolates via the online food delivery services or through a website or exclusively from their homes.

Marketing is vital for the sales to increase and for promoting the business and various marketing strategies such as promotional discounts, special occasion hampers, advertising through flyers and posters can be carried out and mentioned in the business plan. Additionally, the business can employ digital marketing strategies too such as have an Instagram and Facebook page to showcase the products, and a website to carry out the sales and a blog to interact with the audiences and share recipes and experiences. The marketing strategy decided must also be mentioned in the business plan.

Financial Summary

A homemade chocolate business can be started on a minimal budget as the ingredients and equipment required for making chocolates are less and reasonably priced and the chocolates can be made using the utensils and equipment available at home too. However, the procurement of the licences might require paying an application fee and the marketing also might require a small expense. The financial summary of the business, including the investment required for starting the business, obtaining the ingredients, equipment, marketing costs, license application fees and day to day miscellaneous expenses such as packaging costs and delivery expenses must be included in the chocolate business plan. Also, how these expenses will be met must also be mentioned in the business plan, whether the entrepreneur’s savings will suffice for the business or a small loan will help the business, especially while expanding the operations, must also be included in the homemade chocolate business plan.

These are the essential factors which form the crux of every business plan and must be included. Entrepreneurs starting a homemade chocolate business might feel overwhelmed by the business plan structure and information to be included but they can always take the help of deAsra Foundation for preparing a comprehensive business plan for their homemade chocolate business.

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Chocolate Factory Business Plan

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Resources On Chocolate Factory

• Financial Model
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model

Marketing Plan

• Bundle Business Plan & Fin Model
• Description

Executive Summary

Products & services, market analysis.

• Management Plan
• Financial Plan

Our Chocolate Factory business aims to solve the problem of limited options for sustainably sourced, high-quality chocolate products packaged in eco-friendly materials. Our solution includes sourcing chocolate from sustainable farms, making it in small batches, and packaging it in eco-friendly materials, thereby addressing the issue of environmental sustainability. Our direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform ensures that consumers can purchase our artisanal chocolates with ease, while our online customer service and support help build a loyal customer base. Our key resources include access to sustainably sourced chocolate and eco-friendly packaging materials, and our key activities involve sourcing, packaging, and selling sustainably sourced artisanal chocolate. Our solution not only offers a product but also aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products and helps build a reputable brand in the artisanal chocolate industry.

Target Market

Our target market for the Chocolate Factory includes individuals who are passionate about high-quality, artisanal chocolate and are willing to invest in premium products. They are environmentally conscious and actively seek out sustainably sourced options. Our ideal customer is someone who values the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into creating small-batch chocolates and appreciates the unique flavor profiles that can be achieved through careful sourcing and production.

We will also target corporate clients who are looking for upscale gifts for their employees or business partners. Our chocolates will be packaged elegantly and our branding will reflect the sophistication and luxury that these clients expect.

To reach these customers, we will primarily rely on our e-commerce platform for direct-to-consumer sales and will also explore partnerships with specialty retailers and upscale restaurants.

Competition

Financial summary.

Below are the key highlights of the financial plan for Chocolate Factory business:

• The total startup cost is projected to be $750,000, which includes sourcing equipment, renting a facility, purchasing raw materials, and marketing expenses.
• We anticipate generating $1,000,000 in revenue in our first year and projecting this to increase by 20% annually.
• The break-even point is estimated to be at the end of the second year.
• The net profit margin is expected to be 10% in the first year, increasing to 15% in the second year and beyond.
• We anticipate obtaining funding from a combination of personal savings, loans, and angel investors.
• We aim to use our profits for expansion and increasing our product line.

Based on our financial projections, Chocolate Factory business has the potential to be a profitable venture in the long-term.

Funding Requirements

ChocolatGold requires a total investment of $500,000 for startup costs, including:

• $250,000 in initial investment for launching our startup
• Sourcing sustainable chocolate and eco-friendly packaging materials
• Building and maintaining an e-commerce platform
• Marketing and advertising expenses
• Operational costs such as shipping and logistics

We plan to secure funding through personal savings, investments from friends and family, loans, and angel investors. Our aim is to establish ChocolatGold as a reputable brand in the artisanal chocolate industry and generate $500,000 in revenue in our first year of operations.

Milestones and Traction

ChocolatGold has a clear roadmap for achieving its business goals. Here is an HTML table outlining our current progress and specific milestones we plan to hit in the future:

We are committed to maintaining transparency with our investors and customers by regularly updating them on our progress towards these milestones. Our roadmap is designed to ensure that we stay on track and achieve our business goals in a timely and effective manner.

Problem Worth Solving

Our solution.

At ChocolatGold, we understand the growing concerns regarding sustainably-sourced food products and the impact of packaging on the environment. Our solution is to provide consumers with a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform where they can purchase artisanal, small-batch chocolates sourced from sustainable farms and packaged in eco-friendly materials.

We acknowledge the challenge of finding high-quality and sustainably-sourced chocolates, and we aim to alleviate this problem by sourcing our chocolates from sustainable farms and making them in small batches to ensure the highest quality. Additionally, our packaging materials are eco-friendly, ensuring that environmentally conscious consumers can indulge in our products without feeling guilty about their carbon footprint.

Our solution is simple - we provide our customers with access to sustainably-sourced chocolate products that are both high-quality and environmentally-friendly. With our direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform, consumers can conveniently purchase our products and enjoy guilt-free indulgence at any time.

Validation of Problem and Solution

Consumer demand for sustainably sourced and eco-friendly products has been steadily increasing over the past decade. According to a survey by Nielsen, 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for products from sustainable and environmentally friendly brands. In addition, the global chocolate market is projected to reach $171.6 billion by 2026, with consumers increasingly seeking high-quality, artisanal chocolate.

Furthermore, our validation tests have shown positive results. We conducted a survey of 500 consumers, asking about their purchasing habits and preferences for chocolate products. Over 70% of respondents expressed a preference for sustainably sourced and environmentally friendly chocolate products. Additionally, a taste test of our artisanal chocolate products with a sample group of 100 consumers yielded a 90% satisfaction rate, indicating the high quality and appeal of our products.

Based on this data, we believe our business model of providing sustainably sourced, small-batch chocolates packaged in eco-friendly materials through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform addresses a significant problem in the chocolate industry. Our solution meets the growing demand for sustainable and high-quality chocolate products while providing convenience and accessibility through online sales.

Product Overview

At ChocolatGold, we are passionate about providing our customers with sustainably sourced, high-quality artisanal chocolate packaged in eco-friendly materials. Our chocolates are made in small batches to ensure freshness and quality, and sourced from sustainable farms to support ethical and responsible farming practices.

Our products are designed for consumers who value sustainably sourced, artisanal chocolate and want to make a positive impact on the environment. Our eco-friendly packaging materials make us an attractive option for environmentally conscious customers who want to reduce their impact on the planet.

By choosing our sustainably sourced chocolate, customers can indulge in a guilt-free treat that benefits both their taste buds and the environment. Our products provide a unique and satisfying experience for those who appreciate the art of chocolate-making and the importance of ethical and sustainable sourcing.

ChocolatGold has taken several steps towards establishing its direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for sustainably sourced, artisanal chocolate products:

In the future, ChocolatGold plans to take the following steps to establish and grow its business:

• Expansion of product line to include more varieties of artisanal chocolate
• Expansion of partnerships with sustainable farms for wider sourcing options
• In-person sales through pop-up shops and events
• Expansion of e-commerce platform to include international sales and partnerships with retailers
• Continuous improvement of sustainable practices and eco-friendly packaging

Market Segmentation

Our analysis shows that our potential customers can be segmented into four groups based on specific characteristics:

Target Market Segment Strategy

Our ideal customer is someone who values sustainability and artisanal products. They are willing to pay a premium for high-quality chocolate that has been sourced from sustainable farms, and packaged in eco-friendly materials. This customer is health-conscious and interested in the origins of their food. They are typically adults aged 25-45 with disposable income, and are located in urban areas. We will target this demographic through targeted social media campaigns and collaborations with like-minded businesses.

Key Customers

Our ideal customer archetype is the conscious consumer who values sustainability and seeks artisanal chocolate that is ethically sourced and produced. They are typically between the ages of 25-45, with a higher education level and a disposable income. They are willing to pay a premium for high-quality chocolate that aligns with their values and are likely to become our main advocates, spreading the word about our brand and products through word-of-mouth and social media. We aim to build a loyal customer base that appreciates our commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Future Markets

Based on the market analysis, there is a growing demand for sustainably sourced, artisanal chocolates. Our direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform caters to consumers who value high-quality, eco-friendly chocolate products. As we establish ourselves in the market, we plan to expand our product offerings to include other sustainably sourced treats such as coffee and tea. Additionally, we will explore opportunities to partner with other eco-conscious brands to offer bundled packages. With our commitment to sustainability and artisanal craftsmanship, we believe there is potential for growth in both the direct-to-consumer and wholesale markets.

Below is a table of potential competitors in the artisanal chocolate market:

While there are already established players in this market, our focus on sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly packaging sets us apart. We aim to build relationships with small-scale farmers and offer a wider range of chocolate varieties to cater to our niche customer base.

Marketing and Sales Plan

Our marketing strategy will primarily focus on targeted digital advertising through social media platforms and search engines. This will be complemented by email marketing campaigns to our existing customer base and influencer marketing to reach new audiences.

Our advertising budget for the first year will be approximately $50,000. We will allocate $30,000 for digital advertising on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads, $10,000 for email marketing, and $10,000 for influencer marketing partnerships.

Our goal for the first year is to acquire 10,000 customers and generate $500,000 in revenue. To achieve this, we aim to achieve a return on advertising spend of at least 3:1 and establish a strong brand presence in the artisanal chocolate market.

Based on market research and our capacity, we anticipate that we can make approximately 50,000 direct sales of artisanal chocolate through our e-commerce platform in our first year of operations. This includes both repeat and new customers.

Our pricing strategy will be competitive and based on the current market rates for artisanal chocolate products. We will offer a range of products at varying price points to appeal to a wide range of consumers. Additionally, we plan to offer promotions and discounts to incentivize new customers to try our products and keep our loyal customer base engaged.

In terms of sales approach, we will leverage social media platforms, paid advertising, and email marketing to reach our target audience. We will also partner with influencers and collaborate on giveaways and promotions to increase brand awareness and drive sales. Our customer service team will be available 24/7 to handle customer inquiries and support.

In the long run, we aim to increase our sales volume through expanding our distribution channels by collaborating with brick-and-mortar stores, supermarkets, and chain stores that share our values and have a similar customer demographic. We will continually assess our sales strategy, pricing, and customer feedback to optimize our sales performance and ensure customer satisfaction.

Location and Facilities

Equipment and tools.

Our chocolate factory requires specific equipment and tools to ensure the quality of our products. Here is a breakdown of the required equipment and their associated costs:

While these costs may seem high, investing in quality equipment is essential for producing the best possible chocolate. We plan to purchase these items using a combination of loans and personal investments.

Management and Organization

Organizational structure.

Our chocolate factory will have a flat organizational structure, led by the company founder who will oversee all operations. We will have a small team of employees with clearly defined roles to ensure efficient production and sales processes. The roles and responsibilities in our organization will be as follows:

Communication between different levels of the organization will be streamlined to ensure that everyone is on the same page and to promote effective decision-making. The CEO will hold regular meetings with the production and sales managers to assess progress, identify challenges, and develop strategies. The rest of the team will also be involved in meetings as and when necessary for their respective roles.

Management Team

As our company grows, we will be looking to fill high-level management roles with individuals who share our passion for sustainably sourced, artisanal chocolate and have the skills and experience to help us succeed. Some potential candidates we anticipate considering include:

• Chief Executive Officer - with experience in e-commerce and sustainable business practices
• Chief Financial Officer - with a background in finance and accounting
• Chief Marketing Officer - with experience in branding, digital marketing, and consumer behavior
• Director of Operations - with expertise in logistics, supply chain management, and production
• Director of Sustainability - with a background in sustainability and environmental science

We will conduct a thorough search to find the best candidates for these important roles, and will prioritize individuals who share our values and commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices.

Management team gaps

Currently, our management team lacks candidates ready to fill the roles of marketing and social media management. While we have team members with experience in these areas, we recognize the value in bringing on individuals with specialized expertise to help us effectively promote and grow our direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for sustainably sourced artisanal chocolates. We are actively seeking qualified candidates to fill these positions and strengthen our overall management team.

Personnel Plan

Running a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for artisanal, small-batch chocolates sourced from sustainable farms and packaged in eco-friendly materials will require a team of skilled professionals. Below is a list of potential positions that we expect to require:

Company History and Ownership

ChocolatGold is a new startup based in San Francisco, California, that plans to launch its operations in 2023. Founded by a group of passionate entrepreneurs who share a love for artisanal chocolate, the company aims to provide consumers with sustainably sourced, small-batch chocolate packaged in eco-friendly materials.

The idea for ChocolatGold was born out of the founders' frustration with the lack of high-quality, sustainably sourced chocolate options on the market. They saw an opportunity to combine their passion for chocolate with their commitment to environmental sustainability and create a brand that would fill this gap in the market.

The founders bring a wealth of experience in business, marketing, and the food industry to the table. They are committed to building a reputable brand in the artisanal chocolate industry and to becoming a thriving business in the San Francisco Bay Area.

ChocolatGold is a privately owned company, with each founder holding an equal share of ownership. The company is currently seeking an initial investment of $250,000 to launch the startup and establish its brand in the market.

As part of our management and organization plan, we have developed a detailed roadmap of specific goals and objectives to achieve in order to steer our chocolatier business forward. We have created an HTML table format to keep track of these milestones and ensure that we are staying on track with our objectives.

Key Metrics

As a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for artisanal, small-batch chocolates sourced from sustainable farms and packaged in eco-friendly materials, our key metrics focus on gauging the overall performance and health of our business. The key performance indicators that we track include:

• Total sales and revenue
• Number of website visitors and conversion rate
• Cost of goods sold (COGS)
• Average order value
• Customer acquisition cost (CAC)
• Customer retention rate (CRR)

By tracking these KPIs, we aim to continually improve our business operations and maintain a strong footing in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

Financial Plan and Metrics

Sales forecast.

Below is a projected sales forecast for ChocolatGold for the three years (2023, 2024, 2025):

Starting a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for artisanal, small-batch chocolates sourced from sustainable farms and packaged in eco-friendly materials requires certain expenses. The following tables outline the expected startup costs and operational expenses:

Startup Costs

Operational expenses.

These expenses are crucial to the success of our chocolate business, and we anticipate generating revenue that will offset these costs and result in a profitable venture.

Projected Profit and Loss

ChocolatGold aims to generate revenue through direct sales of sustainably sourced, artisanal chocolate products. We have created a profit and loss statement for the first three years of our operations in the form of an HTML table:

According to our projections, we expect to generate $500,000 in our first year of operations, which will increase to $2,000,000 by the end of our third year. We anticipate a gross margin percentage of 50% in each year. Our expenses will include sourcing and packaging materials, e-commerce platform fees, and shipping and logistics costs. Despite these expenses, we expect to make a profit of $50,000 in our first year, which will increase to $200,000 by the end of our third year.

Projected Cash Flow

Below is a projected cash flow statement for three years (2023, 2024, 2025) in the form of an HTML table. The first column indicates the categories of cash flow, including inflow, outflow, net cash flow, and cumulative net cash flow. The other columns represent each year.

As shown in the table, our projected cash flow for the first three years of operation is positive. We foresee a steady influx of revenue with a manageable outflow of expenses, resulting in a significant net cash flow and cumulative net cash flow by the end of 2025.

Projected Balance Sheet

Here is a build of our balance sheet statement for the next three years (2023, 2024, 2025) for our direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for artisanal, small-batch chocolates sourced from sustainable farms and packaged in eco-friendly materials:

We project steady growth in our Assets as our e-commerce platform gains more customers and we expand our product lines. Our Liabilities will increase as we invest in new equipment and marketing efforts. Meanwhile, we aim to increase our Equity through attracting more investors and retaining profits.

As a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for artisanal, small-batch chocolates sourced from sustainable farms and packaged in eco-friendly materials, our personnel plan will focus on hiring individuals who are passionate about sustainable agriculture and artisanal chocolate. We plan to hire a team of 10 employees in the first year of operations, with key roles including:

• Operations Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Customer Support Representatives
• Chocolate Sourcing Specialist
• Packaging and Shipping Coordinator

All of our employees will receive competitive compensation packages, including salaries and opportunities for bonuses based on business metrics. We believe that our employees will fit seamlessly into our business operations, as they share our values and vision for sustainable, artisanal chocolate. We will provide comprehensive training and mentorship to ensure that each team member is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their roles.

Financial Plan and Metrics: Use of Funds

ChocolatGold plans to invest a total of $500,000 in startup costs, which will be used towards sourcing sustainable chocolate and eco-friendly packaging materials, building an e-commerce platform, marketing, and other operational expenses. The funds will be used in the following categories:

ChocolatGold plans to obtain funding through personal savings, investments from friends and family, loans, and angel investors. The initial investment of $250,000 will be used to launch the startup and start generating revenue.

Exit strategy

Our long-term goal is to establish our brand as a leader in sustainably sourced, artisanal chocolate. We plan to continue growing our business and increasing profitability through expanded product lines, partnerships with additional sustainable farms, and increasing our customer base. Ultimately, we hope to position ourselves as an attractive acquisition target for larger companies in the confectionery industry. If the right opportunity arises, we may consider selling the business, but our preference is to remain involved in the company's continued success. Passing the business along to a family member or employee is also an option we may consider in the future.

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Chocolatier Business Plan and SWOT Analysis

Chocolatier Business Plan, Marketing Plan, How To Guide, and Funding Directory

The Chocolatier Business Plan and Business Development toolkit features 18 different documents that you can use for capital raising or general business planning purposes. Our product line also features comprehensive information regarding to how to start a Chocolatier business. All business planning packages come with easy-to-use instructions so that you can reduce the time needed to create a professional business plan and presentation.

Your Business Planning Package will be immediately emailed to you after you make your purchase.

Product Specifications (please see images below):

Chocolate is popular in all economic climates, and as such chocolate stores as well as chocolatiers are able to produce profits at all times. The gross margins generated from these businesses are was always able to satisfy underlying debt obligations as well as the ongoing moderate operating costs associated with these businesses. One of the minor drawbacks of this industry is that the pricing for cocoa can change depending on the worldwide market. This is very much a commodity focused business. However, chocolatiers and chocolate shops typically generate gross margins ranging anywhere from 70% to 85% on their sales. As such, moderate increases in cocoa prices can either be remedied by taking a small hit to the profit and loss statement or by simply increasing prices to the end-user. Usually, the worldwide prices for cocoa remain relatively stable as this crop is produced in warm climates in politically stable countries. The start of cost of the new chocolatier business or chocolate shop typically ranges anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 in most suburban settings. These costs can be significantly higher in major metropolitan areas that require a large lease to be signed. One of the nice things about chocolate shops is that they are able to sell their products only directly to the general public through their retail store but also on a wholesale basis and an online basis.

A chocolate store or chocolatier business plan should be developed especially if the entrepreneur is going to be sourcing capital from financial institution. This business plan should feature a three year profit and loss statement, cash flow analysis, balance sheet, breakeven analysis, and business ratios page. As it relates to industry research, chocolatiers generally about $2 billion revenue year among 8,000 established retail locations. The industry employs 20,000 people. Of special importance when developing a business plan for a chocolatier is to showcase to a lender what tangible equipment is going to purchase with that funds. Most importantly, this should outline the furniture, fixtures, and equipment that will be used given that most financial institutions want the entrepreneur to put up the working capital portion as equity. Additionally, the business plan should have a competitive analysis as well. However, most suburban markets typically only have a handful competitors for this type of industry. As such, a substantial focus of most chocolate shop competitive analysis is focused significantly on the number of general retailers that offer chocolate as part of their overall offerings. As it relates the demographic analysis, the business plan should feature information about population size, population density, percentage of people that frequently purchase chocolate, annual expenditures on chocolate, and information regarding the annual median household income of the market.

A chocolatier SWOT analysis should be produced as well in order to showcase the strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats faced by these businesses. As it relates to strengths, chocolate shops are always able to remain profitable given the high gross margins generated from sales. Additionally, there are numerous avenues from which these businesses can make sales of their chocolate products.

For weaknesses, as with all food businesses there is a risk of inventory spoilage. In major metropolitan markets the rental expense can be very high, and during at times of economic recession people may pull back on nonessential expenditures like specialty chocolates.

For opportunities, one of the ways that most chocolate shops expand aggressively is the use of an online platform. In states that allow for the production and distribution of chocolate, having an online sales portal can drastically boost the sales of any business. Once the company establishes a strong brand name for strong products these online sales portals can be just as important as the retail store itself. Many of these businesses will also develop wholesale relationships with gift specialists as well as gift basket companies that will include the chocolate shops products as part of their offerings.

There are no known threats at this time that would overly impact the way the chocolate shop is business. Modest competition and only a severe economic recession would drastically impact the way that these companies do business.

A chocolate shop in chocolatier marketing plan also needs to be developed in order to make sure the people come to the retail location and online store on an ongoing basis. Foremost, many chocolate shops will actually distribute free samples to the general public from their retail location. Additionally, mailed fliers and discount coupons are frequently issued during the grand opening period, which generally lasts around one to two months. During busy holiday seasons, including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, many chocolate shops will aggressively engage in discount offerings in order to drive people to the store to purchase chocolate as gifts.

Many of these businesses will seek to establish ongoing wholesale relationships with third-party retailers, gift basket companies, corporate product specialists, and other entities that have ongoing needs for small gifts for other individuals. This is a very important revenue stream is wholesale distribution can provide highly predictable streams of revenue on a monthly basis. Even during deleterious economic conditions, corporate gift specialists and gift basket companies will continue to purchase large inventories of the companies produce chocolate. In some cases, nearly 50% of a retail chocolate stores operations can be completed through wholesale distribution operations.

An expansive online presence should also be developed in order to ensure that people can find the business on the Internet very quickly while concurrently making sales via e-commerce capabilities. The cost associated with developing an e-commerce driven website typically cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the quality and the amount of original imaging that needs to be done. Most of these websites have expansive backend platforms that allows owners to immediately upload images of produced chocolate products. This website relisted among all major search engines. Some entrepreneurs have also taken integrating e-commerce functionality into their established FaceBook and Twitter pages. This can further allow for greater number of sales he made on an ongoing basis.

Chocolate shops and chocolatiers are always going to remain popular in any market and in all economic climates. The high gross margins generated from sales allows these businesses to readily expand while concurrently taking a very low risk on the retail level. These businesses will continue to remain popular especially among event planners, wedding planners, gift basket companies, and related entities that frequently purchase chocolate as part of their overall operations.

Start a Chocolate Business

Indulging in the Sweet Delight of Your Own Chocolate Business

CHOCOLATE BUSINESS

Related business ideas, discover your perfect domain, chocolate mini business plan, business idea: gourmet chocolate production and sales, expected percent margin:, expected earnings:, actions needed to achieve those numbers:, recipe development and production:, marketing and brand building:, sales channels:, operational costs:, not what you had in mind here are more ideas, grab your business website name, step 1: determine if starting a chocolate business is right for you, breakdown of startup expenses, breakdown of ongoing expenses, examples of ways to make money, step 2: name your chocolate business, step 3: create a business plan, executive summary, description of the business, market analysis, description of the products and services, description of the management team, financial plan, description of the legal structure of the business, step 4: obtain business licenses and permits, how to obtain licenses and permits, cost of licenses and permits, benefits of obtaining licenses and permits, step 5: secure financing, steps to secure financing, step 6: choose a location, considerations for a retail space, considerations for a production facility, considerations for an online business, considerations for a mobile business, finalizing the location, step 7: purchase equipment, cost of equipment, where to purchase equipment, financing options, step 8: market your business, online advertising, print advertising, radio advertising, direct mail, word-of-mouth, social media, step 9: monitor your business, create a system for monitoring, use technology to monitor your business, develop strategies for improvement, explore more categories, take the next steps.

Sample Homemade Chocolate Shop Business Plan

Homemade chocolate business plan sample.

A homemade chocolate business is a business that can be started by virtually anyone. You do not need the best education or even any level of experience in business before you can set up a homemade chocolate business.

Now, the fact that not very much is required to start a homemade chocolate business does not imply that you get into this business much unprepared.

There should be something on the ground to make your homemade chocolate business very successful. Some of the things that you need to run a homemade chocolate business are a good location and basic accounting skills.

To properly set up a homemade chocolate business, you will also need a business plan. Well, if you are not familiar with writing a business plan, this article contains one.

The homemade chocolate business plan sample contained in this article will be of great help in helping you come up with the ideal homemade chocolate business plan for your business.

Here is a sample business plan for starting a chocolate business at home.

Business Name:  Chic-chic homemade chocolate business

Executive Summary

Our Products and Services

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

Business Structure

• Market Analysis

Sales and Marketing Strategy

• Financial Plan

Competitive Advantage

Chic-chic homemade chocolate business will be based in Beverly Hills, California. It is owned by Mary Coleman, a former manager in one of the very well-known candy stores in the United States .

We have already secured a facility that will be ideal for a startup company. As a company that is into the production of edibles, we ensured that the facility is hygienic before choosing it.

Chic-chic homemade chocolate company is not just into the business of making chocolate to earn a living, we are looking to become “the next big thing” in the world of edibles such as chocolates, sweets, chewing gums, etc.

At Chic-chic homemade chocolate company, we are majorly into the production of homemade top-quality chocolate.

However, that is not all that we are into. We will also be involved in the retail sales of other products like biscuits, sweets, etc. Chic-chic homemade chocolate business was set up to make good gains.

As a result of this, we will do everything that is okay by law to make sure that we make maximum profit.

Some of the many products that we will make available to the public are;

• Homemade chocolate
• Chewing gums

As a homemade chocolate business, we will have to first gain popularity in our neighborhood before becoming established in our town, as a result of this, our vision at Chic-chic homemade chocolate company is to dominate the homemade chocolate industry in our locality as quickly as possible and also become a top brand in our town in just about 6 months of doing business.

At Chic-chic homemade chocolate company, our mission statement is to establish a very successful homemade chocolate venture that will break into the chocolate market in not only our town but in other major cities in the United States.

The foundation of every business is a strong indication of success or failure.

We are very aware of this fact. This has spurred us to take the right step in ensuring that we do not only have the right structure to keep our business flourishing but we also have the right foundation to last us a long while.

We are looking to set up a brand that will not just become a household name in the chocolate industry but will compete for a space among the most prominent chocolate brands in the United States.

To get this done, we are going to hire only those that we are sure can meet very tight deadlines as well as work under instruction.

Market Analysis Market Trends

The homemade chocolate industry is not a new one. It has been existing for quite a long time. This is one reason there are homemade chocolate businesses in every part of the United States.

Usually, homemade chocolate businesses are sited around areas with a high population of children. Some of these places are schools, places of worship, and relaxation spots.

Our major strategies to make it to the top rapidly in this business is to ensure that our potential clients are aware of our existence. We intend to make this happen by doing the following;

• Printing handbills and dropping them in public places
• Getting a strong online presence
• Selling at a price that is lower than those of other homemade chocolate businesses.

Target Market

The customers that are available to the homemade chocolate industry are mostly children and young adults. This makes it really easy to come up with a target market.

Because children are known to consistently consume more homemade chocolates than adults, we have decided to focus our attention on children.

That however does not mean that we are taking attention away from other potential customers.

Our target market consists of

• School Children
• Newly married couples

Financial Plan Source of Startup Capital

A homemade chocolate business does not require so much cash to get started. We are looking to set up this business for $50,000. We have come up with 70% of this amount, the remaining amount will be gotten from the bank.

Our competitive advantage is the fact that we have our outlets in strategic parts of town. With this, we will definitely get into the face of every single passerby.

This is a homemade chocolate business plan for Chic-chic homemade chocolate business. This business will be located in Beverly Hills, California, and will be set up with $50,000.

Are you interested in starting up a homemade chocolate business, and you are looking for a homemade chocolate business plan sample to use as a template in writing a business plan for your homemade chocolate business?

Here is a chocolate-making business plan sample to serve as a template for writing a good business plan for your homemade chocolate business.

There are many factors one has to consider before starting up a homemade chocolate business. The most important of which is, the right location, and the right target market.

The homemade chocolate business entails retailing to consumers a host of products such as chocolates, candies, sweeties, toffees, chewing gums, etc.

Without further ado, here you have it!

BUSINESS NAME: Angie Simpsons Homemade Chocolate Store.

Sample Homemade Chocolate Business Plan and Feasibility Report

Executive Summary Vision Statement Mission Statement Business Structure Products and Services Market Analysis Sales and Marketing Strategy Financial Plan Sales Forecast Conclusion

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Angie Simpsons Homemade Chocolate Store is a neighborhood homemade chocolate retailing business. Angie Simpsons Chocolate business will be located in a corner piece location in Oregon, United States.

We will be committed to retailing homemade chocolates as well as retailing a broad range of candies, sweeties, toffees, chewing gums, etc.

The business will be owned by Angie Simpsons, a graduate of the University of Michigan, and who has loads of experience working in the industry for more than 10 years.

The business is committed to becoming rated as the number one consumers’ choice homemade chocolate business in Oregon, and counted among the top 10 leading homemade chocolate businesses in the United States.

The startup investment sum needed is $200,000. $75,000 of the startup investment capital will be contributed by the owner, Angie Simpsons, from her investments and savings. $50,000 will be borrowed from close friends and family, while the remaining $75,000 will be obtained as a loan from the owner’s bank.

VISION STATEMENT

Our vision at Angie Simpsons Homemade Chocolate Store, as a neighborhood homemade chocolate business, is very simple and straightforward.

Our vision is to become the number one consumers’ choice homemade chocolate business in Oregon and to become rated among the top 10 leading homemade chocolate businesses in the whole of the United States.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission as a neighborhood homemade chocolate retailing business is to become a number one consumer’s choice that is committed to establishing a successful and reputable homemade chocolate brand that will grow from just one store to a chain of stores in Oregon and the United States, fixated on serving nothing short of the very best services to our customers all over the United States.

BUSINESS STRUCTURE

The success of a business is indeed highly dependent upon the foundation on which it is built. This is why we have resolved to be committed to hiring only the right employees to work with us.

Our business will be established to be able to compete favorably with other businesses in the industry.

Given that, we have shortlisted the following key positions, in no particular order, to be occupied by competent, honest, and qualified employees:

• Human Resources and Admin. Manager.
• Store Manager.
• Merchandise Manager.
• Homemade Chocolate Markers.
• Accountants/Cashiers.
• Customers Services Executive.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

At Angie Simpsons Homemade Chocolate Store, we are committed to providing the very best services to our customers; at the same time, we are seriously in the chocolate business to make profits .

We will make sure we actualize our business goals and objectives. This, we will do under the law of the United States, complying with all the laws and requirements as within the confines of the United States.

Bearing this in mind, we will offer the retail sales of the following key products /items in our homemade chocolate stores:

• Hard Candy.
• Dark Chocolate.
• Homemade Chocolate.
• Milk Chocolates and Caramels.
• Soft Candies or Creamy Candies such as candy corn.
• Gumballs, and
• Chewing gums.

MARKET ANALYSIS Market Trend

The homemade Chocolate retailing business is one business that has existed for such a very long time. It is not out of place to find small-scale homemade chocolate stores on various street corners.

It is also very typical to find homemade chocolate businesses establishing their businesses in locations that have the right target market.

This is why it would be stupid for one to establish his homemade chocolate retailing business in areas that are highly populated by old people.

One would rather establish his homemade chocolate retailing business in a place populated by children such as schools, religious gatherings, etc.

Our target market as a neighborhood homemade chocolate retailing business includes, but is not limited to, the following:

– School Children. – Single Men and Women. – Households. – Expectant Mothers. – Students. – Business People. – Tourists.

SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

Before choosing the location of our homemade chocolate retailing business, we carried out a thorough market study.

We will do everything within our means to make sure we employ the right sales and marketing strategy that targets our desired customers and propels us to our business goals and objectives.

We will make sure we first, send introductory letters and our business brochure, to schools, households, students, etc. We will encourage our customers to help promote our business with the use of word-of-mouth publicity. We will ensure to position our billboards in strategic areas in Oregon.

We will not fail to promote our business by leveraging on the media; we will promote our business by advertising our business on radio and television stations, local business magazines, etc. We will also not fail to establish a functioning website for our business, and create a Facebook page, as well as connect on Twitter and Instagram.

FINANCIAL PLAN Startup costs

The total startup investment sum that will be required for Angie Simpsons Homemade Chocolate business is an estimated amount of $200,000.

Sources of Funds

Part of the startup investment sum will be sourced from the owner, Angie Simpsons. The other parts will be obtained as loans from friends and family, and the owner’s bank.

$75,000 will be contributed by the owner from investments and savings; $50,000 will be borrowed from friends and family; while the final $75,000 will be borrowed as a loan from the owner’s bank.

SALES FORECAST

Below is a sales projection for Angie Simpsons Homemade Chocolate business for the next three years. This projection is based on several factors such as the location of the homemade chocolate business, as well as obtainable statistics in the industry.

This projection nonetheless does not consider the emergence of a major competitor within the same location and does not also factor in the occurrence of any major economic meltdown.

Year One                     $60,000 Year Two                   $150,000 Year Three                 $350,000

CONCLUSION        

Above is a detailed Homemade Chocolate business plan. The business plan sample presents all the vital aspects of the business that you are required to give attention to.

It presents the business’ executive summary, the business’ goals, vision and mission, and the various ways the business’ goals will be actualized putting in place the needed sales and marketing strategy; as well as the kinds of products the business will offer to its target market.

It is only hoped that this business plan sample will provide a useful template for you in writing a good business plan for your Homemade Chocolate business .

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Chocolate startup wanted to end child slavery in cocoa industry—now it brings in $162 million a year

If Tony's Chocolonely founder Teun van de Keuken had his way, he would've ended up behind bars long before he created his popular chocolate company.

The Dutch journalist made an attempt to get himself arrested in 2005, showing up to a police station and declaring himself a criminal. The crime? Fueling slavery by knowingly purchasing a chocolate bar made with illegal child labor.

When his activist stunt failed, van de Keuken came up with a new plan: creating a chocolate bar of his very own that proved the candy could be made without any exploitation of children.

His chocolate company would pay West African cocoa farmers a living income to help combat the scourge of child labor, and its beans would be sourced from land that had been deforested.

Nearly 20 years later Tony's Chocolonely is not only one of the most popular chocolate brands in van de Keuken's native Netherlands, it is known around the world.

The brand, whose stated mission is to make "100% slave free the norm in chocolate," can be found at major US retailers like Whole Foods, Target and Walmart. Its revenue grew 23% last year to $162 million.

"We've demonstrated it's possible to pay a living income to farmers to address the challenges of child labor," CEO Douglas Lamont told CNBC Make It in a recent interview. "[We've shown] you can be a successful chocolate company doing it the right way, in an ethical way."

For the full story of how Tony's Chocolonely went from a stunt to a global brand, check out CNBC Make It's video.

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