Startup Central

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Are you looking to start a chocolate business? Want to talk to others who've been there or done that - or have you been there and done it and want to share with others? This is the place to discuss it.

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Startup Central - Sponsored by Savage Bros

Since 1855 Savage Bros. has manufactured confectionery machinery. Their chocolate and candy making equipment are recognized worldwide for long lived quality and reliability. From these 19th century roots in the industry, Savage Bros. strives to meet its customers’ equipment needs with well designed and manufactured machinery. They specialize in taking new and growing businesses to the next level by streamlining their production process.

Quality chocolate is one of Savage Bros' passions, thus they offer a wide array of chocolate processing equipment for the artisan chocolatier — from chocolate melters and temperers to single mold filling workstations with depositors and built-in vibrators. And more!

Do you make great chocolates? Know everything there is to know about tempering chocolate and cooking the perfect caramel? Able to turn out thousands of finished chocolates without blinking any eye?

Does the thought of using Quickbooks or writing a business plan sends you screaming into the walk-in begging for mercy?

This group is for you. When you join, please introduce yourself to the group in a comment on this page. Yes, I know you have a profile page, but it would be great to have you add a few words about you and your business in the context of this group. If you have a website, feel free to post a link to it. Please don't post a link to your profile page, people can just click on your profile photo to visit that.

PS. Below is the full picture I used for the Group photo. It's a chocolate store/cafe in Mexico. Those are stone mills (the kind Taza uses) to the right of the guy with his back to you in the blue shirt and notice that they are selling beans. The stone mills suggest that this store is located in Oaxaca.

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Comment by erika jensen on April 7, 2009 at 10:05pm: Hi! i just joined the group :) i'm a very small business right now (me and 2 part time assistants...they do packaging and very limited production, like dipping things or "finishing" products), expanding into a commercial space that needs TONS of renovation (its actually the town's old train depot) and it will be a combined business (same building, different areas) with my husband, who's a photographer, and does all my pics and web design. you can check us out at http://www.thechocolateseason.com and http://www.bradleyjensen.com
i'm in the beginning stages of my biz, i'm only on year 2, but my husband has been doing his for 7 years. so yup, would love help on the transition from production-only, to more of a cafe type retail location and that goes into my new kitchen since yes, i have to build one from scratch. (like i said...the depot...bare bones!) thanks you guys!!!!!!

Comment by Ilana on March 29, 2009 at 2:33pm: excellent!!! YAY!!

Comment by holycacao on March 29, 2009 at 2:09pm: Thanks Ilana for the comment! we also had a blast. After we left your place we went to a moshav to check on our new roaster, which is close to being ready, and the owner loved the chocolate and bought a kilo in small bars!

Comment by Ilana on March 29, 2009 at 1:36pm: Hi. Well today I purchased a few kilos of chocolate from Ze'ev and Jo from Holy Cacao. They came to my place with beautiful shiny bars to taste and after one bite and sniff (!) I was sold. I have not tastedf anything like it!!!! I hope my business will grow (I am a tiny business!) so that I can use lots of their chocolate. It was a real learning experience and an eye opener. What a burst of flavor-wow!!!

Comment by Paul Mosca on March 10, 2009 at 3:50pm: Hi folks,
My name is Paul Mosca. I have been in business for one year and a couple of months. I make Chocolate Seeds. I am looking forward to this discussion. I have a lot to learn. But many people helped me on my journey. I am grateful to give back.
Cheers,
Paul

Comment by Rae Stang on March 4, 2009 at 9:45pm: oops- didn't realize I had posted that 1st post. Does anyone know where to buy a stone grinder like in the photo on this page (Mayerdomo Chocolate Shop in Oaxaca)?

Comment by Rae Stang on March 4, 2009 at 9:34pm: Hi Everyone. I started my chocolate business in upstate NY 3 years ago.
We specialize in small batch truffles with intense flavor profiles and really dark chocolates & panned nuts. We use organic and fair trade chocolate exclusively and organic nuts and fruits. I am very interested in getting into the bean to bar thing. I think this group is going to be an amazing resource and hopefully I can help others too.
My shop is www.luckychocolates.com if anyone wants to check it out.

Comment by Rae Stang on March 4, 2009 at 9:29pm: Hi Everyone. I have a chocolate shop in upstate New York, USA.
I want to get into making bean to bar chocolate. Right now we specialize in intense flavors and super dark chocolate and healthful chocolates using organic and fair trade chocolate and ingredients.
I think this group will be an incredible resource for finding everything from friendship, bean sources and equipment.
Thanks!
I love that I have found this group. It's lonely out here!

Comment by David Ralston on March 4, 2009 at 9:06pm: Hey group. Looking to start up a business in with my partner. He's attending the French Pastry School in Chicago. He's the talent . . . I'm just the money. Not much more to add now, since this is all new, but really glad to have found a group like this on the web.

Comment by Andre Costa on January 15, 2009 at 11:30am: Hi everyone!
My name is Andre Costa. I am Brazilian, but I've been living in New York City since 2001.
I am beginning my chocolate journey now! I am going to take my first chocolate course in February at the Institute of Culinary Education here in NYC. After that I want to take the online training at Ecole Chocolat. And after that, who knows what I will do? One thing for sure, there will be chocolate in it!