Chocolatier - Paula Clamp
Paula Clamp is one of Ireland's best-selling novelists, who also runs her own business - Koka, (www.koka.co.uk) - Contemporary Irish Chocolatiers. The company sell beautiful handmade chocolates with an Irish twist.
The Interview
Name - Paula Clamp
Location - My business is based at home in Ireland. I have converted one side of my home into a fully functioning chocolate room.
Family - I am married to Gerry and have 3 children - Jordan 9, Yana 7 and Jay 5.
What inspired you to become a chocolatier?
I am a novelist and screenwriter and when I write I always eat chocolate to help me focus. I developed a passion for good quality chocolate and began making chocolates for family and friends. The business took off from there.
What is your background (previous career area?)
Prior to writing I worked in arts management.
Did you have specialist training in making chocolates? - if so what/where was your training?
At the start, making chocolates was very much trial and error. My husband, who used to be a chef, gave me a lot of advice. But there came a point when I needed specialist help and I arranged for a master chcolatier from England to come over to my chocolate room and give me one-to-on training.
How did you go about setting your business up? (from a business perspective - initial funding etc) Did you have any professional help?
Very early on I was taken on as an Export client of Invest NI. There was some funding help with product development and marketing, however, their main contribution was in advice and networks.
Did you carry out any research you carried out to know your business would work?
I did a lot of market research with potential customers to see if my products were attractive to them. I also spent a lot of time looking at the market to see how I could distinguish my business from all the others.
Where do you carry out your work now?
I have always worked form home, fitting everything in around my family.
Do you need lots of specialist equipment?
Once volume increases then key pieces of equipment become invaluable. I do, however, wish to keep the artisanal element of what I do, so this is kept to a minimum.
Do you still make chocolates yourself?
I still make all the chocolates myself, but I'm in the process of looking to expand within the next six months.
How many hours do you work a week?
Officially I work from 9am-2pm. However, evening and weekend work is frequent. When you run your own business you also tend to think about it when you're sleeping!
How does the job fit round your family life?
Family comes first and the whole intention is to fit around them. Having set out firmly with the idea of not having to relay on outside help with childcare this can be challenging, however, it is possible. Difficulties arise mostly when customers look for meetings when I'm doing school pick-ups or if the kids are sick, but this just takes careful juggling.
How do you find customers - do you advertise?
Luckily word of mouth has been very important. Invest NI have put us in contact with key customers, but largely I have benefited from good media coverage along the lines of 'writer turns chocolatier'.
Is the job/running the business rewarding?
Chocolate is a wonderful product to work with - everyone has some kind of relationship - either eating too much or not getting enough.
Do you think it is a job that fits in well with being a Mum?
The job certainly allows a certain amount of flexibility and it also is something the kids can relate to and get involved in their own small ways.
Any advice for a Mum or Dad wanting to start training as a chocolatier?
Allow plenty of time for research and preparation. Chocolate is difficult to work with and requires persistence, but there is a growing demand for top quality chocolate and this has to be a good thing!