Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Daniel Bockman, founder of Tempered Fine Chocolates, located in Nashville, TN, USA.

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

We are Tempered Fine Chocolates! We are chocolatiers! Our customers appreciate the highest quality chocolate combined with an adventure of flavors outside of the typical mainstream brands. You can stop in our store or visit our website and build your own custom box of hand-made chocolate truffles.

Tell us about yourself

Tempered Fine Chocolates has been a project of mine going on for eight years now. It has had many ups and downs as a business over the years; however, the love for the product along with the Germantown neighborhood has kept us going strong. The endless amount of product variations keep things exciting; however, the pure joy of watching someone enjoy our chocolate keeps my motivation high.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment came after the start of the pandemic when Tempered needed a transformation to stay relevant. Using opportunities as well as creativity, we were able to transform our model from a simple Nashville shop to a national brand where we have already increased sales upwards of 100% over previous years while locking in our brand and products. The business has never been in a better place.

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

Trusting your decisions is absolutely the hardest part of being a business owner. Every decision has to be weighed with integrity, purpose, and of course, people. It's easy to make a decision, but it's hard to trust you made the right one.

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

1.) Take care of your team and your best people. Pay well and treat them with respect.

2.) Details are important. Some things seem insignificant, like a crooked picture or the type of glassware, but they are not. The thousands of tiny details are what make up your business. They are worth paying attention to.

3.) Stay within your strengths, but it is ok to be uncomfortable. Go network or reach out to a potential customer. Try to implement new ideas. Always adapt to the industry and create your own niche within. Small changes along the way can really shape what you need to be successful.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Chocolate is a delicate product, and without the right knowledge and equipment, it can be difficult to keep production standards high. With this or any business, it's important to become an expert at what you do. Without any knowledge or passion for what you do, it's a long shot that anything will roll in the right direction.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://temperedfinechocolates.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/temperedfinechocolates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/temperednashville/

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.