#97 Building a Chocolate Factory

In this week’s episode of 'Garry Talks', host Garry Kelly interviews Gráinne Mullins, an award-winning chef and Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur. Gráinne shares her journey from working in Michelin-starred restaurants to founding Grá Chocolates in her hometown of Kilchreest during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the challenges of starting her business, the overwhelming demand for her hand-painted chocolates, and the importance of customer feedback. Grá also highlights her Kickstarter campaign to fund a new chocolate factory, emphasising community support and her commitment to quality. Her story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of a positive mindset.

For more information please visit https://grachocolates.com/

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Timestamps 

Introduction to Gráinne Mullins (00:00:04)

Gráinne Mullins is introduced as an award-winning chef and entrepreneur behind Grau Chocolates.

Positive Mindset in Challenges (00:00:20)

Gráinne discusses the importance of maintaining a positive outlook to overcome challenges.

Gráinne's Culinary Journey (00:00:50)

She shares her love for food and her early experiences in restaurants.

Early Inspirations (00:01:44)

Gráinne reflects on cooking shows and chefs that inspired her culinary passion.

Transition to Chocolate Making (00:02:01)

During lockdown, Gráinne began making chocolates as a creative outlet.

Social Media Reaction (00:03:01)

Gráinne's social media posts about her treats sparked interest and inquiries for purchases.

Unexpected Business Opportunity (00:03:22)

She reveals how the pandemic shifted her plans, leading to the idea of starting a business.

Business Education (00:04:05)

Gráinne explains how she took business courses during lockdown to prepare for future entrepreneurship.

Experience as a Pastry Chef (00:04:14)

She discusses her background as a pastry chef and her focus on desserts.

Work Ethic in High-Pressure Environments (00:04:58)

Gráinne highlights the intense work culture in Michelin-starred restaurants and its impact on her.

Customer Experience Focus (00:06:14)

Gráinne emphasizes the importance of customer service and creating memorable dining experiences.

Maintaining Positivity (00:07:25)

She reflects on her positive demeanor and the challenges of staying upbeat in business.

Embracing Business Cycles (00:08:25)

Gráinne shares insights on managing the highs and lows of running a seasonal business.

Advice for New Entrepreneurs (00:09:17)

She offers guidance to those struggling in the early stages of their business journey.

Responding to Customer Complaints (00:10:46)

Gráinne discusses the importance of addressing customer issues and building loyalty.

Trusting Customer Intentions (00:11:15)

She explains the significance of seeing the good in customers and their intentions.

Fears in Business (00:12:21)

Gráinne expresses her concerns about the uncertainties of the future in business.

Team Collaboration (00:13:34)

She talks about balancing independent work with the benefits of team collaboration.

Launch of Grau Chocolates (00:14:51)

Gráinne describes the excitement and challenges during the launch of her chocolate business.

Social Media's Role in Success (00:15:26)

She credits social media for driving interest and sales during her initial launch.

Need for Team Expansion (00:15:53)

Gráinne realized the necessity of hiring staff to meet the growing demand for her chocolates.

Incredible Growth and Demand (00:17:05)

Gráinne discusses the overwhelming demand for her chocolates during the holiday season and their sold-out status.

E-commerce Challenges (00:17:44)

Gráinne reflects on the challenges faced with their WooCommerce website and the need for efficient customer purchasing.

Inspiration and Community Focus (00:18:33)

Gráinne shares that she focused on her community rather than seeking inspiration from other chocolatiers.

Unique Selling Proposition (00:19:01)

Gráinne explains their unique hand-painted chocolates and commitment to high-quality, scratch-made ingredients.

Production Process Duration (00:19:18)

Gráinne details the extensive five-day process involved in creating their chocolates.

Transitioning from Home to Business Space (00:19:47)

Gráinne recounts the rapid growth that necessitated moving from her parents' home to a dedicated business unit.

Team Expansion (00:20:50)

Gráinne shares that her team has grown to 18 members, with divisions for various business functions.

International Sales and Growth Potential (00:21:43)

Gráinne discusses their customer base primarily in Ireland and the potential for international sales growth.

Challenges Faced in Recent Years (00:22:05)

Gráinne addresses the various challenges faced by her business, including rising costs and regulations.

Rising Cocoa Prices (00:25:00)

Gráinne reveals a significant increase in cocoa butter prices and its impact on their chocolate production costs.

Quality vs. Cost (00:28:17)

Gráinne emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality chocolate despite rising costs.

Rent Increase Challenges (00:29:18)

Gráinne describes the stress of facing a substantial rent increase from their landlord after two years.

Navigating Business Relocation (00:31:03)

Gráinne explains the difficulties of relocating their business due to specific operational requirements.

Launching a Kickstarter for a Factory (00:33:17)

Gráinne shares her decision to launch a Kickstarter campaign to create their own chocolate factory amidst challenges.

Kickstarter Campaign Launch (00:34:03)

Gráinne discusses the positive community response to her Kickstarter campaign for her chocolate factory.

Funding and Planning (00:34:33)

Garry inquires about the Kickstarter campaign's goal and the timeline for establishing the chocolate factory.

Site Selection (00:35:11)

Gráinne shares her considerations for selecting a site accessible to her team and potential locations.

Community Support (00:36:01)

Gráinne emphasizes the importance of community support and feedback in her entrepreneurial journey.

Funding Progress (00:36:35)

Gráinne reveals that they raised €50,000 in just two weeks through the Kickstarter campaign.

Perks of Supporting (00:37:16)

Garry describes various perks available for supporters of Gráinne's Kickstarter campaign.

Importance of Local Support (00:40:25)

Gráinne highlights the significance of supporting local businesses for community growth and success.

Vision for the Chocolate Factory (00:45:12)

Gráinne shares her vision for the chocolate factory, including plans for a visitor center and customer engagement.

Customer Feedback (00:47:02)

Gráinne discusses how direct customer interactions help improve their chocolate offerings.

Passion for the Business (00:48:14)

Gráinne expresses her love for her job and pride in the growth of Grau Chocolates.

Competition in the Market (00:49:32)

Gráinne addresses the rise of copycat brands and the importance of supporting Irish chocolatiers.

Quality of Ingredients (00:51:26)

Gráinne emphasizes that the quality of ingredients is key to the exceptional taste of her chocolates.

Staying Positive (00:52:15)

Garry questions Gráinne about the challenges of maintaining a positive outlook amidst business difficulties.

Positive Mindset and Problem Solving (00:52:23)

Gráinne discusses the importance of maintaining a positive outlook to overcome challenges.

Manifestation and Belief (00:53:05)

Gráinne shares her motto "dream it, believe it, achieve it" as a form of manifestation.

Evening Walks for Reflection (00:53:39)

She describes her evening walks as essential for personal time and mental clarity.

Cooking as Meditation (00:54:56)

Gráinne finds cooking dinner every evening to be a meditative and fulfilling experience.

Future Plans for Grau Chocolates (00:55:13)

Gráinne outlines her goals for growing her chocolate business and personal brand.

Desire to Write a Book (00:55:47)

She expresses interest in writing a book to share her experiences and insights.

Building Relationships with Customers (00:57:55)

Gráinne emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and building strong relationships.

Kickstarter Campaign Announcement (00:59:01)

Garry discusses the ongoing Kickstarter campaign and encourages listener support.

Late Pledges and Chocolate Orders (01:00:10)

Gráinne explains the late pledge option and invites listeners to order chocolates.

Celebrating Special Occasions with Chocolate (01:01:05)

Garry highlights chocolates as perfect gifts for various celebrations and occasions.