Happy Easter from PayPal!
Easter and chocolate go hand in hand, so this week we caught up with chocolatier
Choco Passion UK at their busiest time of year. Choco Passion UK sell hand crafted chocolate presented in unique and unusual shapes. The business started as a family run business in Italy before moving over to the UK, and now they sell their products at shows across the country.
We caught up with Director Giovanna Schettini to hear more about what puts the passion in chocolate…
PayPal: What have been your greatest successes?
Giovanna Schettini: We just love how much the general public has got behind us and the great response we receive for all our designs, from the more traditional to the more creative. We have one design in particular - chocolate shaped like different tools, like a spanner and a hammer - which customers love. For us success is all about finding something you are proud of and love doing, and everything else will follow!
PP: What advice would you give to other small businesses and those thinking of taking the plunge and creating a start-up?
GS: When you first start out a lot of focus goes into making sure the books are balanced. Keeping an eye on your outgoings is really important to getting through the first year, you just want to save money anywhere you can.
PP: When did you start using PayPal Here?
GS: We first used
PayPal Here at Salon du Chocolat, one of the most important events of the year for chocolatiers. We would have missed out on around 60% of our profit that day if it hadn’t been for the app! Previously we were just taking cash, and now it’s great to be able to offer payment on card. Especially as a lot of the shows won’t have a cash machine on site, or only one that charges.
PP: Has PayPal Here helped your business?
GS: We take it with us to all our shows, and it really increases sales. We find people seem to spend more when they pay on card, I think it’s because you don’t see the money change hands! You just need the card reader and your mobile, which you always have with you, so it’s really convenient. In fact it’s been such a success we now have a second reader; when we are working at separate events we can have one at each – and still get paid straight into our PayPal account.
PP: How have customers reacted to PayPal Here?
GS: They love it, we are always getting questions from customers about how it works. We find people know and like the PayPal brand so everyone is always happy to use it. They find it easy receiving the confirmation of payment to their email or phone.