Chocolatiers enjoy sweet taste of success after winning Business Gateway competition

About the business   

Not just a chocolate making and selling business, Kairos Chocolate supports training for young adults with additional support needs through their hand-crafted sweet treats, made by young adults with autism. 

How Business Gateway has helped    

Since launching Kairos Chocolate in December 2020, the business hasn’t had the opportunity to attend any networking events because of the pandemic, so Business Gateway have been key in getting them exposure. Kairos accessed a range of Business Gateway’s start-up services, including advice on marketing and 1:1 support from a dedicated Business Gateway adviser.    

Business Gateway also signposted Kairos Chocolate to European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support which helped the business create a marketing schedule, social media content and email marketing support.    

Most recently, Kairos Chocolate won first place at the Business Gateway Forth Valley competition, #THEHEAT21. A unanimous decision by the judges, their win of this Dragons Den-style competition has given the business fantastic exposure.    

Alison Morrison, owner of Kairos Chocolate, said: “Starting a business during a pandemic certainly brings its challenges, but I am confident and proud of what Kairos Chocolate do, and was sure others would be as well. We just needed the exposure that we would have been able to get if we had been able to network in the usual way pre-pandemic.    

“However, thanks to Business Gateway’s support and their competition, people now know about the life-changing training that is available for young adults with autism.  We have been given incredible exposure, and plan to leverage this into future growth.”