Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Coffey.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kate. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always had an insatiable sweet tooth and have a mouthful of cavities to prove it. After completing a Baking and Pastry Certificate at Kendall College, I worked in the catering industry and a few years in the non-profit sector. I then started Chocolate Twist out of my home. We quickly landed our first retail partner and had to relocate to a commercial kitchen space.
We are almost 7 years into creating our small but mighty empire and have our own production kitchen and sell in stores around the country, through our website, and at large events in the region. Chocolate Twist has grown year over year because we are tenacious, talented, and provide a unique take on confections.
We pride ourselves on creating approachable, fun candy. Our products are not overbearing or intimidating – they’re meant to be eaten with abandon. If you’re not having fun with candy, you’re not eating the right candy.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m very sure that there is no such thing as a smooth road in entrepreneurship. There is always a project, a conundrum, a vexing question sitting on your desk waiting for your attention. Cash flow, employee issues, recipe development, customer queries – each issue requires your complete focus. Suddenly the sink overflows and the caramel overcooked and your kid just called from school and needs that permission slip signed.
And it’s not 8 am yet. Nothing is smooth but it sure is exciting. I’ve learned to think and act quickly. I’ve learned to plunge a sink and that my kids can forge my name on permission slips. I’ve been challenged by the daily math required to run a business (I should have listened to Sr. Marie Bridget more in 8th grade.) I have struggled with finding the right words for employees going through personal trauma.
I have collapsed on the floor after a 20 hour production day. But, I wouldn’t trade a moment of the angst for anything in this world. No job can compare to the work I’ve created for myself. No challenge is more daunting and exciting than building a brand. Nothing can replace what we’ve created and for that, I am humbled and exhausted daily.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Chocolate Twist creates small batch, hand-crafted confections for you to love, cherish and eat with abandon. Our treats are not fussy or intimidating. They are fun and approachable and should be enjoyed in the quirky spirit in which they are created. We don’t have time for overbearing candy. We provide a moment of bliss and joy while our fans, affectionately named Twistheads, treat themselves to our candy.
We make great candy. We have fun doing it. And, we love to repeat the process day after day. Chocolate Twist prides itself on being true and consistent with our ideals. We support local organizations that foster inclusivity, outreach, and education. In that spirit, we are proud to donate to The Women’s Home in Houston, Texas, Riverside Public Library, and Youth Outlook in Illinois.
What were you like growing up?
My grandmother Nana used to call me “The Pill” as a child because I was tenacious (some might call that quality being a pest), high energy, and full of questions. I also had a relentless sweet tooth that drove me to consume as much candy as a child could handle. Then I’d add cookies and cake to the sugary mix. Oh, let’s not forget the pie. Mmmm. Pie.
I was wildly creative and would fill my days by constructing dollhouses from old shoe boxes. I’d fill the family room floor with pieces of cut cardboard, smelly markers (licorice marker FTW!) and random torn out magazine bits. Ephemera was my muse. Cardboard was my tool. My creativity graduated to the pen and I spent hours writing creative stories about the crush I had on the mailman (whom I nicknamed The MaleMan.)
Quickly I discovered dance classes and I was unstoppable. You mean I can run and jump and wave body parts to loud music and that’s ok with everyone? It was like finding nirvana in a pink leotard! All this to say, I was an active imagination stuffed into a tiny body. I think I still am. Just a lot older.
Pricing:
- Chocolate Twist Caramels are $12.50 for a box of 12 oversized pieces of soft, buttery caramel
- Chocolate Twist Chocolate Bars are $8 for a generous 4 oz bar
Contact Info:
- Address: 82 Woodside Rd
- Website: www.chocolate-twist.com
- Phone: 7088291752
- Email: kate@chocolate-twist.com
- Instagram: chocolatetwistagram
- Facebook: Chocolate Twist
- Twitter: vivalatwist
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