Life is sweet for couple as their chocolate business grows

A couple from Stafford have seen their chocolate business go from strength to strength despite launching it the year before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Partners Ian Wilson and Rachel Costello launched Cocoa Creations in 2019 after deciding they wanted to change their lifestyle to be able to spend more time with their young son.

Ian was born in Zimbabwe but grew up in South Africa, and also spent a few years of his childhood living in England. He arrived back in the UK in 2002 before adventuring around the world, spending time working in Northeast Africa, the Middle East and Asia before returning to Stafford and setting up as a personal trainer. Rachel was working in social and mental health care as a nurse and then as a carer for dementia patients.

They met in the gym where they trained together and eventually Ian wore Rachel down and she accepted his offer of a date.

Ian said: “We set up Cocoa Creations in 2019 and have been slowly building our dream, one step at a time.

“We needed something that we could both do after the birth of our son. We looked at several options, but eventually hit on the idea for chocolate when I was making some healthy chocolate treats for my clients for Christmas.

“We went to Birmingham for a day of making chocolate truffles and treats and eventually decided on becoming chocolatiers and enrolled on an intense course at Slattery’s in Manchester.

“We came home full of enthusiasm and got on with building Cocoa Creations. We first had to choose which chocolate to use and decided on Callebaut, who offer us some of the best chocolate with the great reassurance of it being fairly traded and without exploitation.

“We also contacted Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce for some advice and guidance and were fortunate to be put in touch with start-up advisor, Aly Davidson. Aly was great and after our first meeting she lined us up with a potential new client who buys from us regularly. Aly also pointed us in the right direction for some much-needed funding. We have loved being a part of her ‘tribe’ and we can’t wait to get down to some serious work with her.”

Ian and Rachel create a range of truffles, chocolate bars and treats as well as fudge and they are also working to launch a vegan range almost as extensive as their regular range and developing ranges designed to stimulate without the ‘after-sugar’ crash and to help women through hormonal cycles.

Ian added: “We have more plans and innovations in the pipeline but nothing we can talk about just yet.”

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce start-up advisor Aly Davidson said: “Ian and Rachel have a passion for their chocolate and their business which shines through. They are determined to run an ethical business and their vegan range means they have a fantastic opportunity to exploit a rapidly growing market. I have no doubt they will go a long way, and importantly have fun doing what they love.”

If you are thinking of starting a business and would like to discuss your plans, contact start@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or call 01782 202222.