[Grey Matter]

I have been thinking about starting a chocolate business out of our home with my mom. It is something we have been doing since I was a child, and we have sold them once or twice for baby showers and a few times for a wedding. It's something I enjoy doing. It keeps me engaged and focused.

I am really passionate about it. I have written out prices, supply lists, the amount of monthly income we'd need to continue a business. It seems doable if the profits come in, and going by the people who like our product, I think it will be okay.

I am really serious about it all, I started testing new recipes, designed packaging, etc. The thing is, I want to quit my job to put my time into this idea. I am tired of being the 23 year old that has amounted to nothing more than a few awards from high school. I want to enjoy my work, since I have trouble enjoying anything else. But I know if I quit my job to pursue this, I am going to face such a back lash from people.

I just want to do one thing, one damn thing that keeps me going. I just don't know if it's bravery or stupidity.

[IndieVisible]

If this is some thing you enjoy doing and keeps you focused and engaged, you should definitely go for it!

[Grey Matter]

Thank you! That is how I am trying to see it. I am a perfectionist, I cannot even hide it. I have already made charts and spreadsheets with costs to produce and profit to be made. I just need to actually be brave and do it. I can't keep working in retail. It's turning me into a zombie.

[ar2004]

I wouldn't worry about what other people think when you are smart and have done so much research before considering starting your own business. People are happier in life if they are doing what they enjoy.

[Grey Matter]

I think I will be so much happier. It just gives me a sense of joy. And I know I can do it. I just need to get the funds together to begin.

I think I'll be brave. I think I'm going to do it.

[Sjc0]

Do it, keep your job and just be tired and overworked short term, read a book called "the 100 dollar start-up" it's good motivation. Best of luck!

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[wisedude]

Umm you are going to sell chocolates from out of your "mums" house and quit a proper job to do this?

Do you have a business license to run this "chocolate business"?

How exactly are you going to get customers selling (homemade I believe?) chocolates? Are you going to knock on peoples doors? You are not going to find many people at all who want to buy from your small "business". There are many factories that professional manufacture chocolate- I know my friends work in one- what are you going to compete out of your kitchen?

I am sorry if I sound skeptical, but it seems to me your idea is highly unrealistic- spreadsheet or not. Do you have machinery/equipment to make large amounts of chocolates?

You are not going to make enough chocolates from your mums normal kitchen and sell enough to possibly come anywhere near compensating for the loss of income from a proper job.

Many major brand names provide chocolates, how are you going to compete? No offense but I personally would not buy some "homemade" chocolates off someone that knocked on my door, and no local business such as deli/supermarket is going to be interested in homemade chocolates.

I am not trying to be nasty, but I can't personally see how your plan is in any way realistic.

[Grey Matter]

You weren't trying to be nasty, yet you managed to be extremely rude when you could have asked questions rather than assumed and called me "unrealistic". And abused quotations as if I am some joke behind a computer.

This is not the first time I have done such a thing. My father is a florist, therefore I understand and have grown up around running small businesses and what it takes to do so. I learned how to organize the books when I was about ten years of age. I know how to reach a certain customer base, and I know how to advertise wisely and productively.

You are also severely underestimating the fact that in this day and age, more people are willing to spend money on homemade, natural, and allergen free products. Something those factories you speak of cannot provide as they do not sterilize their equipment or offer options such as gluten free, dairy free (do your friends produce soy chocolates?), and nut free. Something I can do, and have done, very easily.

Yes, as I stated earlier, my mother and I have created chocolates before. As in, we have molds, double boilers, boxing and decoration, pipping bags, recipes, mixers, etc.

Did I say it would be door to door? No, of course not. That would be unwise and unproductive and a rather large waste of gas. Have you heard of Etsy? Storenvy? Two websites that offer 24 hour deliveries on sweets, and the shops do rather fantastic. Also I can sell at local farmers market, the cost to do so only being $15 where the income made can come in the hundreds.

I am not unrealistic. I am more logical than you seem to believe. I am working a job, as a disabled person physically, that only pays me $7.25 an hour and gives me less than 20 hours a week. Now what would be more realistic, building a small company up with money saved, or working a job that doesn't have me on living wages? Does that sound like a "proper" job to you?

You're clearly not knowledgeable on what small stores are interested in, and that is not meant to be nasty. I live in a small town filled with independent business who support growing businesses. As I have stated, I have been doing my research. I have been discussing the possibility of selling our products with a boutique already and they are interested in a meeting. It has to do with contacts and building those contacts up and respecting them.

Please don't talk down to me as if I am a child reaching to high, this isn't my first time around the block. Thank you.

Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Which is why I made this thread. Speaking to me as if I've not a clue what I am doing is not constructive nor informative in any sense.

[wisedude]

Ok I apologize for my skepticsm. You obviously have experience and have thought things through more than seemed apparent.

The only reason I was critical, was because when I was younger I had a few unrealistic ideas about making money from silly ventures, and I thought "oh this person is just like me", I just didn't want you to quit a good job from getting excited about something that might not have been well thought through.

But it seems you do have a good idea about what you are talking about.

Again, I am sorry I jumped to conclusions, I was honestly thinking about some of the stupid ideas I myself have had which weren't very realistic, but that I got pretty excited about.

It does sound like you know what you are doing, and that this decision has a rational basis.

I guess any new business venture is a risk, but if you really think you have a chance, and are sure you have what it takes to put in the effort, then good on you. Go for it.

So my opinion is now the opposite. Sorry for my cynicism.

Edit: Yes it is obvious you are not a child, and know your stuff. I just read your post quickly and jumped to flawed conclusions. If you really have the passion and heart to do this, then do it. I have admiration for any person that can achieve such a goal.

[Grey Matter]

It is alright. It is a trigger for me when people talk to me in such a way, as that is how people usually take me. I've lived a life where I am never taken seriously even though I have worked hard for what I've achieved. I am usually seen as a joke.

It has a risk, yes. I wish I could quit my job tomorrow but I know that would be foolish. I just have to figure out how to balance the two at the moment.

[Sjc0]

In case you're interested, here is link to a girl who did something similar it seems. I met here once selling chocolates off a table by the check out in the beer and wine store. I bought some expensive fancy chocolates from her and have started seeing her stuff in various specialty stores, coffee shops, neighborhood markets etc.

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[Sjc0]

http://www.chocolatesbykelly.com/docs/about.html

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[FacingChains]

Hi!
You are excellent at planning!! What a great plan!!! FC

[Nobodyandnothing]

TI,
Great idea. People love chocolate. Couple of issues though: investigate health dept. regs (city, county, state) that might apply and self employment taxes.

Good luck.

[winter4me]

This is a great plan! It is not just an idea, you have already begun. And, everyone knows chocolate is medicinal I no longer will grab a chocolate bar from the corner store rack; I have tasted good chocolate, which is much more satisfying, and I actually will wait till I am somewhere I can buy something good. Even short of $ I will pay more for better chocolate as it just seems to "go" so much farther and is SO much more pleasurable....great for gifts too---------------catering, ....it goes on and on. (I have a cousin who has made a living making goat cheese, he's even been interviewed on public radio etc, as part of the new, local/micro product movement that I see as only getting "bigger"----------Good for You!!!!
If you can quit the job to do it, you certainly have my kudos; if you need to work a couple of days, oh well. You sound so happy just talking about it. ((this is really a good thing))

[Perna]

I would not just quit your job; I would make a business plan and factor your job in, to help finance the start-up, etc. and only quit when the business was well established and looked like it was going to work.

Being in business for yourself is a 24/7 job and extremely stressful and hard work, not just about doing what we enjoy. You will be forced to do what you use to enjoy, long after you may want to stop for the day. It's not all designing and organzing and making the product either, at some point there will be health inspections, licencing and tax issues, and other non-fun stuff unrelated to our specific calling. At first you will not be able to afford to hire accountants, web designers, marketing people and other specialists you will need to become a success and learning/doing those jobs yourself can be frustrating when all you want to do is make the candy.