Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carmen Romeo, president of Fascia's Chocolates, located in Waterbury, CT.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Fascia's Chocolates is a 3rd generation family-owned and operated chocolatier started in 1964 by John and Helen Fascia in the basement of their Waterbury, CT home. We make high-quality confections and serve consumers through our Factory retail store and through a network of retail partners while serving businesses and fundraising organizations with custom offerings.
Tell us about yourself
I am the son-in-law of the founders and my wife is the eldest of 3 sisters. I am an electrical engineer by training and spent most of my career in technical sales, operations, and general management of manufacturing companies. I came to Fascia's in 2009 when the business was in need of leadership after losing its lease and a smooth transfer to the 2nd generation was in peril. Quite simply, I love coming to work in a business that makes our customers happy. Everyone loves chocolate!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Growing the business to a point where its survival is no longer the issue and that future growth should allow us to thrive is my biggest overall success. Maintaining our quality and family feel while running like a business is a more subtle accomplishment but one I am very proud of.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Knowing what and when to delegate tasks and responsibilities. The books tell you delegation is required to scale a business, and they are not wrong, but delegating something you do not understand or cannot do yourself is a recipe for disaster.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Have a solid business plan. No pie in the sky projections on sales and minimizing expenses. Be real with it. Then, make sure you have financing to execute the business plan. 3rd, hire right and only when you are ready to hand off real responsibility (that you have already done yourself).
Anything else you'd like to share?
Thinking several steps ahead of where you are now is always important. Do the small things today to set you up for running smoothly as a larger business later on.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.facebook.com/FasciasChocolates
https://www.instagram.com/fasciaschocolates/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenromeo/
https://twitter.com/FasciasChoc
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
