Lynda Lister, Chocolate Blossoms, Leeds UK
Coco Blooms (CB) Lynda Lister
(LL)
Interview
CB: Hi Lynda thanks for joining us, it seems like
you’ve had fun with your new chocolate bouquet sideline?
LL: Yes, very much so, I’m really pleased with
my little venture and having something for myself as a sideline. Chocolate bouquets was the ideal choice because most, if not all of us like chocolate!
CB: That’s certainly true, so why did you start
learning to make chocolate bouquets?
LL:Well, due to the Covid situation I was put on
furlough from my job and it made me think about having something for myself alongside my job. I knew I wanted to have a small sideline but I wasn’t sure what in.
CB: So you didn’t purposely look at the chocolate
bouquet market to get into it for yourself?
LL: No, not at all. In fact I bought a birthday gift
for husband and ordered him a chocolate bar bouquet. I can’t recall which company it was from but whilst it wasn’t very good quality it did make me think that I can make a better one so that
was the initial spark of a thought. My husband enjoyed the chocolate from his bouquet but agreed that perhaps looking into proper training was worth doing.
CB: I guess you could see the potential for gift
occasions even through tough times? I mean people still buy gifts for all kinds of celebrations regardless of the economy.
LL: Yes I could, and I also felt that what was
delivered to me could be made much better quality and so I did some research and found Coco Blooms.
CB: Which training did you buy?
LL: I would ideally have bought 1-2-1 training but
understandably due to the virus Natalie was not offering 1-2-1 at the moment, so I opted for the next package down which included all the training for home learning via an online portal and a ready
made bouquet together with a sample starter kit.
CB: How did you find the training?
LL: The training information was extensive,
everything was covered in detail step by step. I took my time to understand the general bouquet shape and techniques but I found having Natalie’s ready made chocolate bouquet to follow along
helped.
I think you have to be patient to get it just right
and I was tweaking and checking as I went along. I also made a few small changes to the training so to adjust helping make them for myself. For example I tie the bow on first as it’s
easier to know which is the front of the bouquet.
CB: After you made a few bouquets and got them just
right what did your husband think?
LL: Well he’s my ‘quality control’ man! haha! He
checks when I’ve finished to see if it can be improved anymore! Fortunately, he was very enthusiastic for me to learn and get started and he’s been really supportive.
CB: Were you able to get all the materials listed in
the training?
LL: Yes, no problems at all. Fortunately one of the
main wholesalers suggested in the training has a branch near where I live so that was really handy. I also didn’t need any business ID and got an account opened straight away!
The floral packing box supplier for posting is not
far from me either, so I’ve been able to go and collect a pack from the manufacturer directly. I do pack and post them around the UK using your advice in the training.
For chocolates, I followed your advice and bought
deals from supermarkets (especially Asda) and from B&M.
CB: So, have you made a range of bouquets?
LL: Yes. The chocolate bar bouquets are really quite
easy after a little practice to make and so whilst I started making and selling the flower styles with Ferrero Rocher and Lindt, I now tend to make really good quality chocolate and sweet bar types
which are really popular. I bespoke them to requests too, for example I have made Dime bar bouquets and others with Toblerone, Maltesers and Terry’s chocolate orange too. They are typically
priced from £23 to £30.
CB: What have you done to promote and find
customers?
LL: Mainly through my Facebook and Instagram pages. I did set up a business page aligned with my own personal account so it’s been great as the feedback from my friends and family was
really positive – lots of friends have bought and the bouquets were well received. This has led to repeat orders, referrals etc. so word of mouth has been really strong.
I also had an A5 leaflet designed and printed via
Vista for £30 which was quite cheap and myself and my husband went round popping them through letterboxes! I got a few orders including repeat orders from that.
I have also run some Facebook adverts for the
UK and local area with mixed responses. Whilst I know Coco Blooms isn’t keen on Etsy as it’s too competitive I did manage to sell two bouquets on it from my own pages.
CB: That’s great, well done! I think the focus on
family, friends as a network and getting known in your area and town is the best idea because there are hundreds of thousands of people on your doorstep who buy gifts. What else did you
do?
LL: I also decided to try and put a ready made
bouquet physically for sale in a gift shop and I made a sale there too, but I haven’t pursued this much further due to Covid and of course I have been unable to do any events to help promote
them.
CB: How have your orders been?
LL: Well I see this as only a part time venture that
gives me something outside work to do and provides a little extra sideline income. I’ve sold about 30, so the products definitely sell, and currently I’m making about 8 a month which I’m happy
with for now. Christmas is coming so I expect sales to rise quite a bit.
CB: it certainly is a part time venture and of course
sales are directly tied to your range and how much you promote them. The more people that see them and you can show as a gift idea, then the more people will buy. What are your plans for
Christmas bouquets?
LL: I’m going to learn how to make your
Chocolate Christmas Tree and also I have ideas for Christmas themed chocolate and sweet bars which should be popular. I’ll promote them on Facebook and Instagram and pay for a modest advert
too.
I have a friend who has a coffee shop and she is
holding a Covid safe Christmas craft fair which I’m attending too.
CB: Lynda, it’s been great learning how you got
started and I hope other people who have either bought training or thinking about it have learnt a few tips. Well done and good luck!
LL: Thanks for asking me to take part and for the
training!
Check out Lynda's Chocolate Blossom Bouquets
Social media pages to see more of her bouquets.
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