International Confectionery speaks with husband and wife duo Michaela & Ron Bland, owners of B-U-Neek Handmade Chocolates
If you could change anything in the industry what would it be?
For established businesses to accept smaller quantity deliveries, enabling small businesses to gain wider exposure.
What three traits define you?
Highly imaginative
Extremely creative
Positive Communicator
What’s the coolest (or most important) trend you see today?
The public are now making much more informed choices about the food they eat, understanding how it’s made and where it comes from.
How do you define success?
Returning customers. To have our customers wanting to try and suggest new tipples for the Tipsy chocolate range. To make people happy.
What made you want to work for the industry?
20 years ago I stumbled across a very old chocolate recipe and after following it to the “T” it was horrible! Determined to make something tasty, I continued to make changes until finally after a few years B-U-Neek chocolate was created (thankfully nothing like the original!)
What would you most like to tell your 13-year-old self?
Believe in yourself and dreams, never give up and live life to the full.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
My mother. her kindness, wisdom and above all her belief in me, made me the person I am today.
What’s your favourite aspect about working in the industry?
Being able to use and convert new flavours for our Tipsy chocolates and with this being able to create chocolate for everyone.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
Never give up. It’s nice to be important, but it’s important to be nice!
Where do you see yourself in five year’s time?
Alive and in the Bahamas! To have created a positive reputation for our brand of chocolates within the industry.
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Media contact
Kiran Grewal
Editor, International Confectionery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: editor@in-confectionery.com
