At Craving for Chocolate in Vienna, owner Suzanne Nader differentiates her shop from others by focusing on the presentation of her chocolates.
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How this Virginia company makes chocolate a ‘luxury experience’
This story is part of WTOP’s Small Business September series, sponsored by EagleBank.
With so many options available to chocolate buyers, business owners hoping to make a living selling the delicious treat have their work cut out for them.
At Craving for Chocolate in Vienna, Virginia, Suzanne Nader strives to set herself apart by focusing on chocolate presentation.
She said giving their products premium packaging provides a unique and effective way to boost their brand.
“We want people to think, ‘Wow, this is something I’ve never eaten before,'” Nader told WTOP.
Other chocolate companies don’t necessarily think about the experience part, Nader said. “They don’t pay the attention that’s needed with packaging, or they don’t put the chocolates in keepsake containers so that the container can be kept as a memento of the gift.”
Nader started the business in his basement in 2015.
“I grew up in Lebanon and was exposed to a lot of European chocolate, so I thought, ‘I have to bring that here,'” Nader said. “I got some small quantities and started packaging them.”
Nader described himself as “an avid chocolate lover with an eye for exquisite elegance.”
“I put a lot of effort into the packaging,” Nader added. “It was my main focus, but I also wanted to create a different experience with the chocolate.”
Each chocolate piece is wrapped in shiny silver, gold or red paper, making them look like ornaments on a Christmas tree.
The company sells chocolates for individuals and large events such as corporate parties, graduations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and holiday gatherings.
Nadar’s business partner, Dalia Hidayat, described the chocolate as “gourmet Belgian high-quality chocolate.”
“We want to offer an indulgent experience, but we also want it to taste as good, if not better, than it looks,” Hidayat said. “We try to offer something that sets us apart from your average chocolate shop.”
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