La Signorina Chocolate

Lola Edun is the proud owner of La Signorina Chocolate located in the United Kingdom. La Signorina is pronounced (La See-Nyaw-Ree-Nah) and it is known in Italy as a term of’ “respect for a young girl.” The La Signorina lady is passionate about good quality chocolate and her concern for fair trade cocoa market in developing nations. Lola’s dark chocolates are all hand-made by her and she uses less sugar, artificial ingredients, sugar and other chemicals that are harmful to the body. She offers additional services to private events, parties, weddings and corporate gifts. We tasted her chocolates and they have such distinct and bold flavors that we had to find out more about her product. Here is what she had to say:

1. What inspired or motivated you to start your own business?

I have always wanted to have my own business and be in control of my destiny and life

2. What is the name of  your business and tell us how it all came about?

I am Owner and Chief Chocolate Officer of La Signorina Chocolates. The idea all began with my love for the Italian hot chocolate that I have back at home in Italy with my family during Christmas time. So I decided to start my own chocolate business called La Signorina, which is an Italian way of respectfully addressing a young woman.

3. What product or service do you offer your customers?

I am in the business of providing hand made bespoke customized chocolates to individuals events and businesses using fair trade (cruelty-free) chocolates. This is just to ensure that no child labor was used in the processing of our chocolates and that the cocoa farmers we patronize have been fairly paid for all their hard work.

4. What is your ethnicity?

I am half Nigerian and Russian, but was born and have lived several years in Italy. I am

Sneak peak of what went on in my kitchen today, preparing for valentines day..

also the first female Chocolatier business owner in UK of ethnic origin!

5. What was the hardest decision you faced when you decided to start your business?

I struggled with the timing on when to begin. As I began to build my skills and write my business plan, it was evident my focus was no longer on my day job and I was becoming increasingly unhappy in it. I chose to walk away from the security of having a job so I could focus more time and energy on my passion for creating quality chocolates and growing my business.

6. Describe your ideal customer?

My ideal customers are those who love to pamper themselves and others. They appreciate quality and the labor of love that is involved in the chocolate making process. They also appreciate knowing that their chocolate is cruelty-free.

7. What makes your business stand out from your competitors?

We currently have a unique little product called the Fortune Chocolate. It comes n a jar filled with inspiring quotes printed directly onto each chocolate piece.

We also have a gorgeous and colorful chocolate bar to inspire your creativity called the Arty Bar

8. Tell me how you provided superior customer service to a client?

We sometimes can be a little bit too generous with our chocolates.

9. How can your customer reach you i.e. how can they purchase your product?

You can buy our chocolates online at www.lasignorina.co.uk and follow us on:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/EdunLola

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lasignorinachocolates

10. Do you offer international shipment outside the United States?

We are currently based in the UK but are looking at expanding our market to the United States as we seem to have generated quite a bit of interest over there.

11. Any customer testimonials?

“These are the most delicious chocolates I have tasted as an adult.”

“The texture, smoothness and aroma, always surprising, creative and leave you with a lust for more.”

“Combined with the impeccable design and delicate construction surely achieved by care and love for the product.”

Kasy, London UK

12. What advice do you have for inspiring entrepreneurs?

Dream and dream big, write it down and have a plan and then start small. Spend as little as you can on the business, then sell your dream to others and make some money!:)

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