AIBU to ask if you’d buy this considering the situation?

[chocolatetreats21]

I have a new business idea, I want to make chocolate covered treats from home and sell them. I just don’t know if people would buy it considering the whole COVID situation? What do you think?

[Italiangreyhound]

OP here is what I might buy at Christmas or birthday - specialist biscuits or cakes that have unusual or exotic flavours (like seeds of paradise or cardamom) and are baked and shipped to a loved one at Christmas etc.

But chocolate covered fruit doesn't feel like it would stand a long journey.

And I'd promote it to all the big UK companies outside the UK who may want to send gifts or parcels to loved ones in the UK. I'd probably bake to order rather than do batches.

I'm watching a lot of bake off at the moment! Old episodes from 2017!

If you get good, maybe try and go on Bake off (competition will be stiff) but I'd try and make a name for myself in some amateur competitions etc first. I think if you love baking it'd be fun but I think there are a lot of much easier ways to make actual profit.

[Elsa8]

I’ve seen lots of similar things being sold on Facebook locally, I wouldn’t buy any food from there to be honest. I would probably buy something like that from a farmers market or stall at a fair though!

[JerryGiraffe]

No, I wouldn't. Firstly because if covid , traceability etc, secondly because home kitchens put me off (have seen some terrible things in people's kitchens!), thirdly because DS has an allergy and it worries me in commercial kitchens never mind non-commercial having had a few incidents over the years, and lastly because I think these things are overrated. I would make my own but I dont value the product enough to pay the price you would need to ask to make it financially viable. Sorry to rain on your parade and I do admire your motivation

[August1980]

Where do you live? I haven’t had chocolate in over a month and I didn’t miss it until now:). It looks lovely. You are so talented. I would probably buy- it’s no different than the local coffee guy I get my morning latte from- he has one of those cart things. We have a small burger in the park where I live (24hours for the party goers in London). Still see a queue even in these times. Small scale orders for special occasions, fairs etc. I think people would buy...

[Mummyoply]

I often buy speciality things like this from small businesses ( to my knowledge I don’t think the confectionary is made in a domestic kitchen) and via NOTHS. I buy gift boxes (for birthdays, thank you’d, Christmas, for friends who are going through a difficult time etc). I like themed ones and buy Vegan, fair trade, organic, sustainable products like the ones you are selling but never had fresh strawberries - what’s the self life like?

I’m happy to pay more as I need them to be vegan and I want packaging to be sustainable and eco friendly etc. I think there is a market but perhaps you need to find your niche selling point 😊

[JonHammIsMyJamm]

@August1980

Where do you live? I haven’t had chocolate in over a month and I didn’t miss it until now:). It looks lovely. You are so talented. I would probably buy- it’s no different than the local coffee guy I get my morning latte from- he has one of those cart things. We have a small burger in the park where I live (24hours for the party goers in London). Still see a queue even in these times. Small scale orders for special occasions, fairs etc. I think people would buy...

The pictures aren’t of the OP’s work. They are pictures of the sort of thing she’d like to sell.

[knittingaddict]

Sorry, I'm going to shout now.

THE PHOTOS ARE NOT THE OP'S WORK!

[JonHammIsMyJamm]

@knittingaddict

Sorry, I'm going to shout now.

THE PHOTOS ARE NOT THE OP'S WORK!

It’ll make no difference, @knittingaddict

[PickleChipsareyummy]

Yeah, lovely things but we have loads of those types of businesses around here and I know two mums at my DS2’s school who have basically put their similar businesses on hold for now. Their orders pretty much dried up as people are worried about money as well as hygiene. They look like lovely wedding and party favours but there aren’t many weddings and parties happening now or near future.
Sorry - probably not what you want to hear.

[Carriecakes80]

Wow, they really do look fantastic, and I wish you massive luck in whatever you end up doing. You definitely have a great talent! x

[knittingaddict]

JonHammIsMyJamm

I know, but I feel so much better.

[knittingaddict]

@Carriecakes80

Wow, they really do look fantastic, and I wish you massive luck in whatever you end up doing. You definitely have a great talent! x

Now you people are just winding me up.

[QuestionableMouse]

@Carriecakes80

Wow, they really do look fantastic, and I wish you massive luck in whatever you end up doing. You definitely have a great talent! x

Aye, at "borrowing" photos. 🤔🙄

[FelicisNox]

I love chocolate but it's a no from me.

To make it work as a business you will need to charge a fair bit and your chocolate would have to be of a high standard and both of those would automatically price me out.

You will also need a food hygiene certificate as well as a suitable place to prep.

[msgreen]

Maybe you could use a pub or similar kitchen in the hours they are
closed maybe very early mornings etc
might be a plan if you can cut a deal with someone

[Thewordgame]

The pp who suggested the course idea- this is a fantastic idea! I would definitely book something like this for myself and my daughter if it were available.

[Thewordgame]

Just to add, they look amazing and if you made similar bakes/treats I would definitely buy

[Ddot]

Comfort food always in demand, Especially now. Look into getting kitchen passed, ingredients, where to sell. If you want to start small just incase, sell on line, made to order.

[Ddot]

Dont forget vegan

[Itsonlymakebelieve]

I think that judging by my town/small city you would be up against stiff competition from well known places who are offering deliveries to boost their sales. Off the top of my head I can think of at least 6 local cafes which are doing munchie boxes, afternoon tea in a box, cake slider boxes, fudge & cake pops etc. Then we have at least 3 speciality cakey (one with awards and been on the television) shops who are also now doing deliveries of cupcakes, brownies, macarons, French patisserie etc. We also have 2 “artisan” chocolatiers (with their own shops) offering delivery of everything chocolaty. Also we have a very local artisan bakery (with a shop) who do deliveries of speciality breads and cake products which are vegan, lactose free, gluten free etc. Further afield we have 2 different independant ice cream makers (both award winning with their own shops) who offer deliveries of ice cream, chocolates etc one day a week to our town.
So if I wanted to buy I wouldn’t need to buy from a home baker.

[knittingaddict]

@Thewordgame

Just to add, they look amazing and if you made similar bakes/treats I would definitely buy

[cherry2727]

Go for it OP!!! I am amazed at some of the products which seem to be trending on social media currently ! From artificial flowers stuck in a bowl costing a few hundreds to home cooking boxes ( for cakes , scones etc) One of my friend’s bought cocktail coolers during covid ! Fancy Cakes appear to be very popular now and last year spent just under £200 on a novelty cake for my sister . Social media is the key - beautiful pictures which are well staged ! I read an article recently about a lady earning a fortune now making and selling party props !! Give it a go!!!!

[feministfemme]

@knittingaddict hahahaha!

gets out the megaphone
THEY'RE STOLEN OFF THE INTERNETTTTTTTT

[alied321]

I bought similar chocolate covered strawberries recently for a family friend who had been in hospital

[ShopoholicIn]

Surely not in these times but please don't mind my saying this, unless it's something unique i might find it hard to sell chocolate covered strawberries etc.