Discovering the World of Handmade Business: From Passion to Profit

Welcome back to the Handmade Bosses Blog! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of handmade businesses, exploring the journey of Vicky, the owner of Rawsome Chocolate. Vicky shares her experiences, challenges, and motivations as she transforms her passion for vegan chocolate into a thriving business. If you're interested in turning your creative passions into profit, this is the episode for you!

Meet Vicky: The Vegan Chocolate Artisan

Vicky is the mastermind behind Rawsome Chocolate, a unique brand specialising in un-roasted vegan chocolate. Here’s a glimpse into what she does:

• Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: Vicky imports high-quality cacao beans from Peru and creates a variety of chocolate products, including:

  • Chocolate bars
  • Chocolate bonbons
  • Seasonal chocolates

• Ethical Sourcing: Vicky’s mission goes beyond just making chocolate. She is committed to ethical practices, ensuring that the farmers she works with are treated fairly and paid appropriately.

The Journey to Vegan Chocolate

Vicky's journey into the world of vegan chocolate began after she had twins. Faced with dietary restrictions due to her son’s dairy intolerance, she was determined to create a delicious chocolate option that didn’t compromise on taste or ethics. Here’s how she made it happen:

• Experimentation: Vicky started experimenting with chocolate-making at home, initially melting down commercial chocolates. After several trials and errors, she developed a recipe that preserved the true taste of chocolate without fillers or excessive sweetness.

• Ethical Awareness: As she delved deeper into the chocolate industry, Vicky learned about the harsh realities of cacao farming, including deforestation and child labor. This motivated her to seek out ethical sources for her cacao, leading her to a cooperative in Peru.

• Un-roasted Chocolate: Vicky discovered that un-roasted cacao beans could maintain their natural flavours and nutrients. By skipping the roasting process, she was able to create a product that showcased the beans' unique fruity flavour profiles.

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The Business of Chocolate: A Unique Selling Proposition

Vicky’s approach to chocolate is not just about creating a product; it’s about changing perceptions. She emphasises that chocolate can be a sophisticated experience, much like wine or coffee. Here are some key points Vicky shared:

• Savouring Chocolate: Unlike mass-produced chocolates, Rawsome Chocolate encourages consumers to savour their products. Vicky envisions her chocolate being enjoyed in moments of relaxation, perhaps alongside a journal or a good movie.

• Target Audience: Vicky understands her market well. She focuses on food enthusiasts who appreciate quality and ethical sourcing, rather than those looking for a quick sugar fix.

Finding Success with Handmade Bosses

Vicky discovered the Handmade Bosses community while searching for ways to improve her online presence. Here’s how the community has impacted her journey:

• Focus and Direction: Joining the Handmade Bosses community provided Vicky with the structure she needed to grow her business. She transitioned from face-to-face markets to focusing on online sales, which allowed her to balance work and family life.

• Improved Conversion Rates: With the guidance from the Handmade Bosses course, Vicky saw her Etsy shop's conversion rate rise from 0.2% to an impressive 5.4%. This growth has been pivotal in her journey toward making her handmade chocolate business a full-time passion.

The Impact on Life and Work

Vicky’s journey is not just about business success; it’s also about achieving a better work-life balance. Here are some of the benefits she’s experienced:

• Flexibility: Working from home allows Vicky to manage her time around her family, enabling her to be present for her children while running her business.

• Lifestyle Changes: The shift from a demanding teaching career to owning a handmade business has reduced her stress levels and improved her overall quality of life.

• Empowerment: Vicky feels empowered by her ability to create a business that aligns with her values, providing her the opportunity to advocate for ethical practices in the chocolate industry.

Embracing Creativity and Overcoming Challenges

Vicky emphasises the importance of creativity in her business. She believes that engaging in something creative is beneficial for mental health and can even improve your financial situation. Here are some insights she shared:

• Creative Outlet: Having a creative passion not only provides a sense of ownership but also serves as a therapeutic outlet. Vicky finds joy in creating chocolates, which positively impacts her mental well-being.

• Learning from Mistakes: Vicky has learned to embrace imperfections, like her "wonky chocolates" that don't meet her aesthetic standards. Instead of discarding them, she markets them at a discount, proving that there’s value in every creation.

• Focusing on the Long Game: Vicky acknowledges that success doesn’t happen overnight. By committing to a structured plan and consistently putting in effort, she has seen gradual improvements in her sales and brand recognition.

Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations

When asked about her vision for the future, Vicky expressed her desire to expand her business:

• Moving Out of the Kitchen: Vicky dreams of moving her chocolate-making operations out of her home kitchen into a dedicated space. This will allow her to scale production and offer local workshops and tasting events.

• Achieving Financial Goals: Vicky aims to reach a point where her earnings from Rawsome Chocolate match her previous teaching salary, providing her with financial stability and freedom.

My final thoughts

Vicky’s story is an inspiring example of how passion, dedication, and ethical practices can lead to success in the handmade business world. If you’re looking to turn your passion into profit, consider exploring the resources available through the Handmade Bosses community.

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