🍬Sweet Lessons from the First Year of Chunky Delights

One year ago, Chunky Delights was nothing more than an idea I whispered to myself when no one was listening. Registering the business felt like leaping into the unknown — equal parts terrifying and thrilling. Because the truth is, when you take that step, you’re betting on yourself, your skills, and your product. You’re saying: I believe in this enough to make it real. And that’s scary, but also exciting. Especially when you have people in your corner who believe in you so much, they’re ready to put their money, time, and faith into what you’re creating.

🎉 Milestones That Mattered

Company Registered (Aug 2023)
I remember hitting “submit” on the registration documents and feeling my stomach drop. Suddenly, Chunky Delights wasn’t just a dream. It was official, with a name, a number, and a future.

First Order (Mar 2024)
My first real order was no small thing: 175 cookies — 25 of each of my seven original flavours. It was daunting, knowing these weren’t just for friends but for complete strangers in my friend’s office. Strangers don’t sugarcoat their feedback. But the bake went well, and by the end of the day, not a single cookie was left. My friend even went home empty-handed. That moment felt like confirmation: yes, I can do this.

First Market (Sept 2024)
If the first order was exhilarating, my first market was humbling. To be honest, it was a flop. If my friends hadn’t shown up, I probably wouldn’t have made any sales. But that day taught me something more valuable than profit: do your research, accept that not every market is the right fit, and know that sometimes you’ll have to show up, learn, and try again.

📚 Lessons from the First Year

Running a food business teaches you fast — sometimes gently, sometimes the hard way.

• Pricing: Every new baker dreams of charging what their product is truly worth, but reality asks tougher questions. Would you buy from a brand you’ve never heard of at a luxury price? Probably not. Pricing has to balance fairness, market comparisons, and quality. When you’re better than average, it’s okay to charge more — but make sure the value speaks for itself.
  
• Packaging: Everyone wants beautiful, Instagram-worthy packaging. But in the beginning, cheap and practical will keep you afloat until you can scale. Custom boxes and bulk orders come later. Start simple, start sustainable.
  
• Customers: Not everyone will love what you make, and that’s okay. The ones who come back again and again? They’re gold. They’ll not only keep you afloat but also shape the future of your business. Listen to them.
  
• Time Management: Baking, admin, social media, invoices, events, it feels endless. Some people are planners, some thrive under last-minute pressure. I’ve found myself being both, and that balance has been key. Planning helps me stay on top of orders, while flexibility keeps me ready for surprises.

💛 Gratitude in Every Batch

If there’s one thing that’s carried me through this year, it’s people.

• Friends & Family who placed the first orders, helped pack boxes, and reposted every story.
  
• Ryan, my partner of 10 years, who pushed me to start this dream now instead of “one day,” who runs errands when I forget something, and who keeps me grounded when I spiral.
  
• The Market Community, fellow vendors sharing tape, advice, and encouragement, plus the customers who return week after week with smiles and feedback.

Chunky Delights may be my business, but it’s never been just me behind it.

🌟 Encouragement for Dreamers

One year in, here’s the truth: starting a food business isn’t easy. It’s sticky kitchens at midnight, self-doubt, admin headaches, and markets that flop. But it’s also the joy of someone’s face lighting up at their first bite, the satisfaction of handing over something you made with care, and the quiet pride of knowing you built this from scratch.

So, if you’re dreaming of starting your own small business, here’s what I’ve learned:

• Start small. Start messy. Just start.
  
• Progress matters more than perfection. You’ll make mistakes, and that’s how you’ll learn.
  
• Lean on your people. The right support will carry you through the toughest days.
  

Because small beginnings are still beginnings. And if this first year has taught me anything, it’s that sweet beginnings are the best kind of all.