Image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Kick off grilling season by offering consumers something a little unexpected…cocoa!

 

If you’re a candy maker, you know a thing or two about cocoa. Put your knowledge of chocolate flavors to work and develop your own special blend of cocoa rub. When mixed with salt and spices, cocoa can make for a great, savory rub, which can be used on steak, chicken and pork.

 

Start by researching a simple recipe for cocoa rub, like this one from TheDomesticMan.com, then do some experimenting of your own to find the perfect mix. This can be packaged in a small, clear candy bag and tied with twine for a homemade and masculine look. If you’ve got some outdoor space by your store, consider firing up the grill and passing out samples to passersby – first, check with your local health department to ensure your following sampling guidelines.

 

Stir up some buzz, by sharing your new product on social media and write a press release for the local media. RCI President, Brian Pelletier of Kakao Chocolate, shared his recipe for Cocoa Grilled Pork and got invited to do a cooking demonstration for the local news. Talk about sweet exposure! Click here to view Brian’s interview on Fox News in St. Louis.

 

Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Tags:  Cocoa Rub  Creativity  Father's Day  Ideas  Recipe  Summer 

Even if you aren’t a skilled artist, creating beautiful and trendy chalkboard signs  can be achieved with these 5 tips and tricks from the pros.

• Use a Level and a ruler for straight lines and even spacing

• Pick your tool – mechanical chalk pencil, chalk pencil (intended for marking fabric when sewing), chalk marker or real chalk.

Four types of chalk as illustrated byJones Design Company. From top to bottom:mechanical chalk pencil, chalkpencil by Fons and Porter,chalk marker, and good, old fashion chalk

• A damp cloth and a handful of Q-Tips can work wonders when it comes to correcting mistakes and cleaning up smudges. 

• DIY stencils – If you plan to use an image more than once (your logo or a chocolate truffle with a swirl) make your own stencil with vellum paper. You can easily trace any printed image by placing vellum over the print. 

Depending on your skill level, creating artful chalkboards can take lots of patience and practice. If you don’t have time for either of these, try this quick and easy chalkboard hack from Buzzfeed.

Not a member? Learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business at retailconfections.org/join.

Tags:  Creativity  Displays  Events  Hacks  Ideas  Marketing  Merchandising  Owning a Business  Trends  Tutorial 

RCI membersPeterbrooke Chocolatier(top) andMadelaine Chocolate Company(bottom) showcase their turkey-time treats on social media.

 

Thanksgiving is the time of year when we all take pause to give thanks to the people and things that bless and enrich our lives. For businesses, this often takes form in a variety of thinly veiled ploys to lure shoppers in the doors for a sale or an open house. Not that there is anything wrong with this, because it is also the one of time of the year when shoppers are most willing to spend money. However, unless you are practically giving away flat-screen TVs or have pyramid display of this year’s Tickle-Me Elmo crowding the aisles, chances are you’ve got a lot of competition just to get shoppers in the door on Black Friday.

The point is, although Thanksgiving is a nice reminder to thank the people who make an impact in our lives, it shouldn’t be the only time we recognize loyal patrons for their business or celebrate a winning staff before they run the marathon of holidays. Plus, consider what kind of lasting impression a sincere gesture of gratitude makes when the reason for the gesture is just because.

Before planning a New Year’s Eve gala for your staff or customer appreciation event next March, keep in mind even small gestures can make a big impact when they are sincere.

Help Scout, a web-based help desk that empowers businesses to deliver exceptional customer service, compiled 25 ways to show your appreciation to customers and your team. Some of their ideas ooze with creativity and others are fail-proof but often forgotten. Click here to see what they've come up with. Chances are you will find at least one idea (or a dozen) that you could apply to your business.

Tags:  Customer Appreciation  Customer Service  Ideas  Owning a Business  Thanksgiving