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Jeff Slaughter's Discussions
How Did You Choose Your Market Location
Started this discussion. Last reply by Michelle-Jo Garfield Aug 10, 2010. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Hi All,As someone who is just beginning to learn about chocolate and dreaming about having my own business in a few years, I'm starting to think about where we'd like tolive and run the business. I'm…Continue
Belgium Chocolate Tour ideas
Started this discussion. Last reply by Wendy Buckner May 15, 2010. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Dear Chocolate Life Members,I recently posted some comments to questions by a member about her upcoming trip to France and Belgium.Having lived in Europe for more than 10 years, I've learned a bit…Continue
The Business of Chocolate
Started this discussion. Last reply by Susan Van Horn Aug 6, 2011. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Hi Everyone,Can someone tell me where I can find information on the business of chocolate? I'm looking to learn:1. How to choose a regional market (I want to market chocolate online but also in a…Continue
Jeff Slaughter's Page
Latest Activity
Susan Van Horn replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion The Business of Chocolate"Thanks, Jeff! Back at ya!"
Jeff Slaughter replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion The Business of Chocolate"Casey,
Thanks for adding your thoughts. I live in Belgium and having the flexibility of working on the course without having to worry about time differences, etc. is a real plus. I'm also looking at taking a chocolate course or two here offered…"
Jeff Slaughter replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion The Business of Chocolate"Thanks Omar. Very cool about Pam's award!"
Jeff Slaughter replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion The Business of Chocolate"Susan,
Thanks so much for writing. As I said to Suzanna it's great to get different people's perspectives on the courses offered by Ecole Chocolat. Seems to me its a good place to start and then branch out from there.
Good luck with…"
Jeff Slaughter replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion The Business of Chocolate"Suzanna,
Thanks for sharing your perspective. It's always good to have different points of view about things like this. I hope you found a course that you like better.
Thanks for writing!
Jeff"
Casey Hickey replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion The Business of Chocolate"jeff,
i agree with brad's points re: labor and ingredient costs. i also agree that purchasing equipment can be a huge labor-saver, though the equipment itself is not cheap. yet when you consider that you don't have to pay payroll taxes,…"
Omar Forastero replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion The Business of Chocolate"I totally agree with susan. I loved the course myself Jeff.
By the way Pam williams was awarded the FCIA outstanding service to the industry this year
http://www.finechocolateindustry.org/excellence.php"
Susan Van Horn replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion The Business of Chocolate"Hi, Jeff ~ Brad has given you some very good information to start with. It will at least give you a good idea of numbers.
I have taken the Ecole Chocolat course and am taking the current September Quality Assurance course and I have found their…"
Suzanna Griggs replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion The Business of Chocolate"Hi Jeff,
I took two of the Ecolechocolat courses, and I must say I was very disappointed. All they do is compile a lot of information, which you can find yourself.
For instance they list a load of website addresses, which if you were to research the…"
Michelle-Jo Garfield replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion How Did You Choose Your Market Location"Hi Jeff,
The chocolate cafe just didnt meet the target market in the area we had chosen....we realised a chocolate and wine bar would have worked better. Also with the cafe my ideas were way to broad and the latter choice being more specific was…"
Jeff Slaughter replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion How Did You Choose Your Market Location"Thanks Wendy...sounds so interesting. Hopefully I'll make it to your shop someday and be able to see all that you're doing! Sounds exciting!"
Jeff Slaughter replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion How Did You Choose Your Market Location"Thanks for your information Michelle-Jo. I'm interested to know what you learned that discouraged you from opening a chocolate cafe. What type of store did you finally open? Do you have a website? I'm trying to learn all I can! Good luck…"
Michelle-Jo Garfield replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion How Did You Choose Your Market Location"Hi Jeff,
My husband and I were looking at opening a store in Nashville but have since moved back to Australia..When we were researching to open in the states we spoke to a lot of people around town about what they would like, best places to eat out…"
Wendy Buckner replied to Jeff Slaughter's discussion How Did You Choose Your Market Location"Hey Jeff! We have a retail shop and are about to move to another location where we will have more space and visibility. We plan on serving pastries along with our chocolates to help out with our horrible heat waves. I do some wholesaling... to other…"
Profile Information
- Dark, Milk, White?
- Dark
- Most memorable chocolate experience:
- Living in Belgium, I've had many memorable chocolate experiences :) My favorite place to go is the Neuhaus 'seconds' store where you can have free samples! You can also purchase 3 one-kilo boxes of chocolate for 30 euros.
I write a website called 'www.brussels-belgium-travel-guide.com' and I'm developing a Belgian chocolate section. I'm really enjoying meeting Belgian chocolatiers, hearing their stories, and sampling their chocolates!
I hope to return to the USA one day and open my own artisanal chocolate business.
- My favorite chocolate is:
- Neuhaus
Comment Wall (4 comments)
- At 1:06pm on July 2, 2010, Wendy Buckner said…
- Hey Jeff!! Just found out that I got my grant!! Thanks again for your help!! I will keep you posted on when we will be going and maybe we could all meet up?? That'd be great! I'd love to buy you a box of chocolates for helping us out!
- At 11:35pm on May 7, 2010, Wendy Buckner said…
- Hi Jeff! Thanks SO much for all of your tips! It will be a huge help! I am applying for a grant and this will help with my plan! Much appreciated! I don't know much about ecolechocolate, but I think your plan sounds nice. I met someone who was taking their online classes for chocolate and I couldn't figure out how that would work. It is such a hands on thing to learn! They seemed to like it though. I actually went to the French Pastry School in Chicago. I absolutely LOVED it! It was very tough...but SO worth it! I learned pastries, breads, chocolate, sugar, etc... It was a 6 month long course...so I would say if you are mostly interested in chocolate, then I think Belgium would be an amazing place to study! How inspiring it would be! I love working with chocolate. I never get tired of it. I learn new things all of the time. I love sculpting with it a lot too. Creating all of my own recipes is so rewarding. I hope you get to study chocolate soon!
Jeff...I am signing off for now. I am afraid these busy Mother's Day hours have caught up with me! I hope to talk more soon! I may have a few more questions for you.
Thanks again! ~Wendy
- At 12:18am on May 6, 2010, Wendy Buckner said…
- Hey Jeff! Thanks for the quick reply! So are you in America now? I am going to San Francisco in June for my first "chocolate trip". I am excited about it! My budget for France/Belgium is $3,000.00 which will have to include airfare. I have been thinking September for some reason (probably because it is right before my busy season)...but I would love to go at the best time of the year. I want to take in a lot of art while we are there as well. My husband and I are both artists and chocolatiers... I also hope to visit Barry Callebaut and lots of small...not so famous shops too. Thank you for the list of places to go to...It will really help me plan things out! It is really overwhelming! Especially since we have never been to Europe.
- At 11:42pm on May 5, 2010, Wendy Buckner said…
- Hey Jeff! I am trying to plan a "chocolate trip" to France and Belgium. I would love any information you could help me with! I am trying to plan my itinerary this week, with Brussels being one stop for sure. I did look at your website and got a lot of information from it...but I am hoping to find the best places to stay on a tight budget. Hotel Madeleine? When is the best time to visit? What chocolate shops should I go to? ....etc... I would appreciate any help! I am applying for some assistance to help fund this trip so I can come anytime this year...except around the holidays because I have my own chocolate shop I need to run. Thanks! ~Wendy
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