How to Make Money with Chocolate Molding

Turn Your Chocolate Making Skills into Spare Cash

J Budd, RN
Do you enjoy melting and molding chocolates into candy treats for people? I do and I've been doing it for nearly 15 years for fun and for profit. If you think you have what it takes to make money with your chocolate molding, here are my tips and advice to help get your business underway.

How To Make Money With Chocolate Molding-Tax ID number

If you think your chocolate molding will net you about $600 a year or more, you should get a federal tax ID number. Click here to find out how to do that.

How To Make Money With Chocolate Molding-Stock up on supplies

If you're going make money with chocolate molding, you need to have key supplies on hand besides the chocolate. Here's what I always keep on hand:

  • Cello bags
  • Lollipop sticks
  • Curling ribbon
  • Colored non-pareils
  • Flavor oils
  • Candy boxes of various sizes
  • Standard occasion molds like birthdays, baby showers, and weddings
  • Scale
These items can be purchased at craft stores, party or candy supply stores, as well as home goods stores, and cooking supply stores.

How To Make Money With Chocolate Molding-Know the chocolate seasons

There are four main chocolate seasons every year: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter. Stock up on supplies and molds that go with each holiday. You may not always have an order for a 75th birthday party, but these holidays are guaranteed to come by every year.

How To Make Money With Chocolate Molding-Buy in bulk and on sale.

You want to keep your costs down as much as possible to maximize your profits. Try buying cello bags and lollipop sticks in large quantities like 500-1000. That can save up to $10 alone. Curling ribbon is usually sold in various colors in party supply stores on 500 yards spools. When these go on sale, snatch 'em up cause they can last a long time. And stock up on supplies during after holiday sales so you're set for next season.

How To Make Money With Chocolate Molding-Plan a services and price list

Get an idea how much it cost you to make each individual chocolate treat and how much profit you want to make. If you can triple your cost, that would be good. Then put together an official price list with your products, sizes/weights, and prices. For example: Happy Birthday lollipop 3oz : $2.00. Also make special price lists for holiday items.

On these price lists, let people know if you offer milk, dark, or white chocolate, flavors, and choice of color ribbon and non-pareils.

How To Make Money With Chocolate Molding- Advertise!

Get the word out that you are in the chocolate molding business. Have some business cards made and put up fliers around the neighborhood. Take advantage of the internet with Craigslist and social websites like Facebook and MySpace. I post pictures and prices of my chocolates on my Facebook page and it's gotten me business. Also, print stickers with your name and phone number and place them on each individually wrapped chocolate piece for a professional look.

Source:

Personal experience

Published by J Budd, RN - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness

I am a registered nurse and former radio broadcast journalist in the NYC/NJ area for over a decade. Some of the stations I have worked with include Bloomberg News Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, Fox News Rad...  View profile

7 Comments

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  • Branwen668/4/2009

    This is so creative (and mouth-watering...). Good job!

  • Angela - Upon Request8/1/2009

    A chocolate biz can really make money for a WAHM.

  • CJ Mathis7/31/2009

    I would eat my profits :) great ideas.

  • Carly Hart7/30/2009

    Do you use those 40% off coupons in the ads for places like Michaels and AC Moore? That would be a good way to pick some supplies up cheap. I'd imagine Easter and Christmas are busy holidays.

  • Kayla Wardlow7/30/2009

    Ooh, great tips! Thanks for sharing :)

  • Donald Pennington7/30/2009

    Bookmarked. I just came into a bunch of molds!

  • Amanda C. Strosahl7/30/2009

    Good advice and a neat business idea. Can't go wrong with chocolate.

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