Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Clapner
Hi katherine, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Dude, Sweet Chocolate started in 2008 with a project for Merrill Lynch making holiday chocolates. For the following 6 months I played with recipes and made them from my house to several locations across the city. In the summer of 2009, I a approached the person with ML and stated that I had. come up with a name and wanted to focus on opening a chocolate shop. He jumped at the opportunity and we opened a tiny storefront in Bishop Arts in December of ’09. It was as bare bones as you can possibly imagine. I made chocolate during the day and helped customers and he worked the front (if you could call it that) so I could make more. My goal was to create a chocolate company that really was for the people, sans pretense (hense the packaging which was also a result of our lack of funds) as most of the ones I had visited were very full of themselves and not inviting in my mind. I have always made what I like to eat and have never veered off this path. My approach to flavor profiles is far more influenced by the amazing chefs that I call friends and never inspired by pastry or other chocolatiers. I still to this day cannot believe that folks love it as much as I do and thrive on the energy they give back to. me. We have had many other locations, but the Bishop Arts and in particular our new store , is home to us.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Who the hell has a smooth road? Ours is a walnut and shell game of finances on a daily basis but we are strong and very quick on our feet. The seasonality of chocolate is a very anxiety inducing factor and if we could crack the code of summer sales, I feel we will rule the world
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known. for a very savory approach to chocolate and unexpected ingredients. My inspirations are very pop culture influenced which gives me a great leg up on others. A sense of humor with a inability to use less than superior ingredients. I believe that I have not discovered what I am most proud of, however, my staff is truly what I am the most proud of.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Make sure you are prepared to be broke as hell, that even though the headaches are your own, you get to choose how you handle them. Do not ever make anything you would not want to not just eat but love to eat. I wish I had saved more money from the good times
Pricing:
- 8-60
- from bars to gifts
- that chocolate prices did in fact go up
- that if we used special packaging they would in fact be much higher
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dudesweetchocolate.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dudesweetchocolate/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dude-Sweet-Chocolate/100089833278992/
Image Credits
Manny Rodriguez
