Confections the Old Fashioned Way

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Paige Piper, Owner of Chatham Candy Manor, located in Chatham, MA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

The Candy Manor is entering its 67th year of homemade fudge, chocolates, and confections! We are open year-round, ship, and fulfill many special and corporate orders. Our customers are of all ages, often generations of the family showing the next their favorite sweet treats.

Tell us about yourself

In 2017 my husband Robbie and I were both working at Startups in Boston. After a handful of years outside of school, we were ready for something new and thought it was now or never to try our hand at a business together. Robbie grew up in Chatham, so we decided to ask the prior owners to meet with us; it went very well. The Candy Manor has an incredible history that we want to keep honoring while updating processes and finding new opportunities. I love working with an incredible crew and finding new ways to grow and expand.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We're really proud that the traditions that make the Candy Manor so wonderful, the storefront, the staff, hand-dipping chocolates, and homemade fudge, have all remained consistent while we continue to update processes and grow. It's always hard to embrace and implement change when the train is always moving, but we keep at it.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Time is always a challenge for a business owner. You want to give yourself entirely to the team, customers, and the community. It's hard to accept that no matter what, things will never be perfect. You have to try and strike a balance and take care of yourself and your family while still being committed. I'm not sure I'll ever get there!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Take care of your team members. A good staff will show up for you and for the business!
Establish short and long-term goals and make time to revisit them; it's easy to get caught up in the immediate needs but making an effort to re-evaluate helps keep the vision and what's important front and center.
Seek resources and support outside of your organization. You can be so close to a situation that it's hard to have perspective. It's incredibly helpful to have unbiased input.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://candymanor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChathamCandyManor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chathamcandymanor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatham-candy-manor/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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