The Chocolate Life

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Karen Neugebauer
  • Female
  • Stanwood, WA
  • United States
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Karen Neugebauer's Discussions

Opening a retail chocolate shop

Started this discussion. Last reply by Mim May 14. 22 Replies

 

Karen Neugebauer's Page

Latest Activity

Mim replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"I am certainly not in the same league as you guys, having just started an infinitesimal small home based business in a tiny country town south of Sydney, Australia... but I have been awed at the most informative, generous, intelligent and useful…"
May 14
Andy Ciordia replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"50/50 is the start of a distributor relationship, beware as heading that route with broker fees can get to 70% in heartbeats.  We offer up to 30% and if a retailer wants more we explain that they can upcharge to finish off their margin…"
May 6
Sue foster replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"Thank you all for the replies there's a lot of information there. With a lot of hard work I'm hoping I will be as successful in my chocolate business. Thank you again Sue "
May 5
Brad Churchill replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"Karen;   That was an AWESOME summary.  Thanks for also sharing the pitfalls you've run into.  I've had gift basket companies try the same thing with me, but we have a firm policy in place which mandates the invoice be paid…"
May 5
Karen Neugebauer replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"Pricing can be all over the board so I recommend knowing what margins you can afford to give reasonably and knowing what you want your product to be sold at. Only after that you can begin to set your wholesale prices. I have found that everyone has…"
May 5
Brad Churchill replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"Given that I've been seriously considering how I am going to continue expanding my business, I've looked into franchising, dealerships, joint ventures, and strict corporately owned stores.  As such, I've explored many different…"
May 3
George Trejo replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"While probably a discussion for it's own post I can tell you what we've found.   You need to offer a 50% discount on your retail price, and your total cost of production should be 50% of your wholesale price.  Unless…"
May 3
Sue foster replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"We are new to the business and have attended at least one event where your products were on display.  While we plan on working the "shows" for awhile longer we do get inquiries about wholesaling from time to time.  The profit…"
Apr 29
Arcelia Gallardo replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"For the most part the only people I know that have been successful with ONLY chocolate are in extremely high trafficked areas. Micheal Rechiutti does chocolate only but he is in the Ferry Building which is the number one tourist stop in SF and 2. he…"
Apr 25
Andrea Bauer replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"HI, I think looking at a balance sheet is a bit too simplified when considering the question.  What comes in and out tells you how viable a business is that is up and running but it gives no indication or how viable a new business might be. I…"
Apr 25
Brad Churchill replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"Hi Andrea; Net numbers / Balance Sheets are arbitrary and are a function of accounting principles and tax mitigation practices.  Statements of Cashflow are the best numbers to look at.  What goes in and what goes out every month…"
Apr 25
Brad Churchill replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"Karen; I'm glad I could help.  The whole reason I got into this business was to unveil a lot of the secrets you allude to.  There is enough room in this business for everybody (as long as you stay out of Calgary! …"
Apr 25
Karen Neugebauer replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"Gross numbers show the sales that you can generate with what you have. It is determined by such things as size, number of locations, employees, location, pricing strategy, marketing, etc. Net numbers are a whole other ball game. A new company can be…"
Apr 25
Karen Neugebauer replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"Thank you for your support! Wow Dec looks to be huge for you. Are you finding that 30% of your sales come from Dec, Valentines, and easter like Brad mentioned or is it mostly Dec? Yes payroll taxes are a pain and very expensive. We learned that the…"
Apr 25
Karen Neugebauer replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"Brad, I love the passion that you have. It is nice to converse with someone that has the same passion for what they do as I do. Don't worry, I take everything that is said to heart wether I agree with it or not, because in my business…"
Apr 25
Andrea Bauer replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"I've been looking at this post and the replies and am kind of curious if anyone is willing to share their net numbers.  I would think that gross numbers don't really paint a clear picture...   Andrea"
Apr 24

Profile Information

Dark, Milk, White?
Dark
Most memorable chocolate experience:
Having the ACF head judge scrape off some of the bark on the tree to verify that it was in fact chocolate. He said that it was the best bark he had ever seen. I guess that is how I walked away with a medal on my first ACF competition.
My favorite chocolate is:
Dark and smooth, but not too bitter, usually from madagascar

Comment Wall (3 comments)

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At 11:59am on October 7, 2009, leo lee said…
sorry long time back u ...thanks ...showpeice about H75cm*40cm*40cm.it's Semi-finished products....only chocolate.. all... it was at taipei baking show in taiwan2009/03
At 2:51pm on September 1, 2009, John M Rossini said…
Hi Karen,

Thanks for the comment. Yes, I think we have a future Chocolate life member!

I hope you are a great summer.

John.Rossini@travelchocolate.com
At 7:52pm on July 20, 2009, Kevin Buck said…
Hi, I just ran across your intriguing site and would love to meet you. Can you pick a time this week and I'll pop down or your more than welcome here also. Kevin.
 
 
 

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