Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Sunderland.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Black Bow Chocolates proudly serves hand-dipped chocolates made from the freshest quality ingredients. The process of candy making and chocolate dipping is an art I learned from my grandma many years ago in Utah. Inspired in part by my grandma’s delicious chocolates that she would make every holiday season and ship to her family, and in part by the movie Chocolat, I want to make people happy by sharing with them what I believe is a slice of heaven. Black Bow Chocolates currently offers 17 flavors. All flavors come in either milk or dark chocolate. Everything is made fresh in our store in Kaysville, UT.
We also are a full-service coffee shop, serving specialty and traditional coffee drinks in the cutest coffee shop setting. Our Salted Caramel brownies and Mint brownies are a big hit and sell out daily. We are also known for our made from scratch hot cocoa, frozen hot cocoa, chai tea, and brewed cacao drinks.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Mostly smooth, with some annoying bumps in the road. All our chocolates are hand-dipped. Hand-dipping chocolates is an art. So being able to keep up with demand has been challenging. We’ve upgraded our equipment to make the process smoother. Same with our espresso. Getting the right equipment that can keep up with demand. We started very small and are now trying to upgrade. We are a family run business. Our business requires a lot of passion and time. So juggling family life and a growing business, and making sure our quality is the best at the same time requires constant care.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make hand-dipped chocolates. We are known for our quality and freshness. Everything is made on site in our chocolate shop kitchen. I am most proud of just turning my art/talent into a dream come true. I just wanted to have a place where people can come and eat chocolate and drink yummy drinks. A place of community. I like to tell people that we offer two types of delicious beans: coffee and chocolate.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you have a passion for something, just do it. I know that sounds simple. It’s not simple. I have never worked harder at anything in my life before opening the shop. But I see how happy the chocolates and coffee make people. I know we have a great product. I know people love how they feel when they walk into our cozy shop. Make sure to surround yourself with people that are happy for your successes. Keep your circle tight. And be very selective of who works for you. Every employee represents your brand. And most of all, that saying about how people might not remember what you did for them but will remember how you made them feel… that’s a great rule to live by when you have customers. I know starting a business requires money… and for me it was double of what I initially planned. And I know in order for the business to keep going, it has to be profitable. But it’s never been about the money first for me. I knew that if I built a brand that was delicious and inviting, the rest would take care of itself.
Pricing:
- Box of 2: $3.75
- Box of 4: $6:95
- Box of 9: $14.00
- Box of 15: $23.00
- Box of 24: $34.00
Contact Info:
- Email: BlackBowChocolates@gmail.com
- Instagram: BlackBowChocolates
- TikTok: BlackBowChocolates
