Success for chocolatier Fiona as homemade business seals first major order

A BRIGG-based chocolatier is reaping the rewards of careful planning and research as she looks to expand her business further.

Fiona Sciolti, 44, of St Clare's Walk, set up Fiona Sciolti Botanical Chocolates three years ago and began trading last year.

After selling her homemade luxury chocolates at farmers' markets and food festivals, she has recently secured her first order with Uncle Henry's Farm Shop and is looking to make the products more widely available.

Fiona said: "My first year was all about farmers' markets and food festivals and this year it is about getting them into shops and on to the shelves.

"It is the first time I have ventured into a food product and I have just won my first order with Uncle Henry's.

"It is a very big stepping stone, but I have got another couple of independents who are interested.

"Right from the inception, people were saying I should get these into Harvey Nichols, but because this is a completely homemade product, I would not like to take on that scale of production at the moment."

After 12 years as a stay-at-home mum, Fiona began developing her product in 2007.

This led to the launch of eight signature chocolates in April last year, all made in a small studio at her home and using only local ingredients.

She said: "I think I bring myself to my chocolates.

"I have taken my inspiration from my Anglo-Italian heritage.

"I have worked very hard to use local suppliers, such as Roe's Dairy, and I very much have seasonal specials, such as elderflower and lemon in spring."

Fiona said her main objective for the next year was to ensure the business continues to grow.

She said: "The plan is definitely to grow. I am already operating on a national basis.

"I have made good headway into Yorkshire and I work as far as Newcastle, London and the Midlands.

"I am looking to get into more outlets by the new year.

"I have already got a few I am in discussion with, but I have to be very careful not to grow too quickly."

Fiona decided to develop her hobby into a business when setting up the enterprise.

She said: "I have always loved cooking and the cookery seemed to grow and grow while the children were at home.

"Chocolate was a hobby, but the more I did on it, the more I wanted to make it into a business."

And she urged other potential entrepreneurs to take their time to meticulously plan business ventures before launching them on the market.

She said: "I think they need to really carefully research whatever it is they are doing.

"I don't think anyone should go into any of their ideas or dreams with their eyes half closed.

"It is not an easy option, but in terms of personal reward, it is fantastic.

"It is not a step to be lightly taken."