Making chocolate treats was an important part of our family traditions during the holidays. We would make and give chocolates to friends and family as gifts.
When I began my teaching career, I started bringing in my treats to school during the holidays and sharing with co-workers or giving as gifts at Christmas. Co-workers began asking me to make treats for their families. Christmas treats turned into Halloween treats, turned birthday party treats, and so on. I sold just to friends and co-workers for years before I started selling as a business.
My first venture on my own was a local Farmer's Market. I established quite a following and did very well. However, Farmer's Market's are in the Summer, and chocolate melts in the heat. SO, I began doing craft shows. These were successful too, but I always made WAY too much of something and not enough of what happened to be selling. Plus, I was off all summer as a teacher and actually taught during the holidays when most of the craft shows are.
Finally, I found ETSY! And I'm HOME. Etsy is perfect for me. I get to create amazing items, I am able to work year round, and I have established GREAT customers that feel like friends.