#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/     - Watch the VIDEO of this episode by joining our tribe today at www.GarryTalks.com -   Please follow Garry Talks on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. Please follow GKMedia.ie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok. Most importantly – please subscribe to this Podcast.   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.