GD chocolates

So as you all know I love to support local and started a segment where we could share, learn and inspire! It is so important to support local and share your findings with others.

During lock down, we are going to do a whole lot of these to highlight these businesses – many of which are taking HUGE strain during this time – and shed some awareness and love to all.

This feature is for those of us with a sweet tooth! Please can I introduce you to Gayleen’s Decadence (GD) chocolates! The lovely Gayleen, founder of this local business, is passionate about bringing healthy chocolate options to the market. What is not to love? Not often do you see “healthy” and “chocolate” in the same sentence. Dairy free and organic – GD Chocolates are a must to try! Please see their website for more information about stockists and ingredients and follow them on Instagram and Facebook as they would appreciate the love!

We chatted to the lovely Gayleen and she had this to say!

Tell us a little about your chocolates.

GD chocolates are dairy-free and contain no cane sugar as only the very best local raw honey is used. They also contain no soya lecithin, preservatives, artificial colourants or flavourants. And being UTZ certified means better cocoa bean farming practices with respect for people and planet, with no unhealthy spraying and no child labour. Everything is handmade and hand-wrapped by our team of local Capetonians.

How does it feel to be a business owner that loves what they do?

Being an owner comes with its own stresses BUT there’s a daily joy, in that you know you’ve created and brought something to the market that gives customers happiness J

What are the top 3 learnings you have had to find out the hard way since starting your own business?

Well a sad one was discovering that many people in business are not ethical. So I had to learn to be wary … for me this was sad!

That the bottom line is … it’s all about the money, which it has to be I guess, but people in business forget about ‘people’. I’ve had to learn to focus on actually making money (hahaha…).

That you cannot live your business 24/7 … you’ll have a melt down (true story) .. I had to learn ( and it was hard) to live life in amongst the business.

Where do you see your business in 5 years?

Much more diversified.

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What is your advice to individuals out there wanting to start their own businesses but are too scared?

Firstly to engage with small successful business owners (who are willing to share their experience), don’t listen to people who just like to give advice but have nothing that they have achieved (because you definitely do not want their advice), and then just take that first step! …. It’s not as scary as your mind leads you to believe.

Tell us 2 things that are the BEST part about owning your own business and make it all worth while?

Well of course that you are your own ‘boss’ 🙂 … has it’s down sides but far more ups! This will sound strange, but the security within yourself, that if you can own your own business, then anything is possible!