Meet Erin Arnold

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erin Arnold. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Erin, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from God. He set me on this path and I’m just doing my best to listen and be patient on where he tells me to go next. There are times I doubt what I am doing as an entrepreneur but then he shows me that I am right where I need to be. I’ve passed my first year in operation so I am blessed. I may not have orders every single month but I’ve participated in events that last year I had only been praying about. I’ve met wonderful and like-minded people that have been got me through some hard times. I finally put up my go fund me so I can start moving towards a physical location. Since its been up only one person has donated. I could take it down but imma leave it up because there’s still work to do. And who knows maybe more will donate overtime. In the meantime, I’ll keep doing what I can to promote and showcase my business so I can build my support. I’m thankful for everyone who has supported me thus far whether it’s a like, a share, buying. It’s helped with my resilience and confidence in my work.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I attended college for Culinary back in 2011. After I graduated, I was working front and back of the house jobs, nothing I was really passionate about. That wasn’t until an alumni dinner few years later, I met a classmate whose job needed people. I took a chance and I had no idea what I would be getting into. Low and behold, it was a chocolate shop. And I started at the bottom making fillings and packing. Soon, I would learn painting molds, and then shelling and capping. I felt so happy being there. And it was one of the most positive work environments I had experienced. I was even doing pairings and events that brought me into another element to learn and grow in my field. It was great until it wasn’t anymore. I could no longer stay where I lived and I was laid off from my position. I worked other places but the spark I had in me was gone. Another few years, I decided it wa better to leave the state entirely and start over elsewhere. So I moved and lived with my father and along the way I got married and worked various jobs still not sparking something in me. 2023, I felt I needed to get back to what I loved. I was afraid to fail to but still pushed through. I gathered what materials I could afford and help from friends and family. Fall 2023, Wacacao Fine Chocolate was born. It’s been several months since I’ve started. I’m collaborating with an up and coming whiskey brand. I’ve also been apart of vendor markets where I’ve been showcasing my chocolate. I’ve done several large orders for small business and consumers. I’m looking forward to what the next several months bring. It’s been a blessing, that still comes with its challenges. I’m currently working with the SBA mentor program and I’m actively looking into more collaborations and projects with local business that will both benefit our brands. With the funds I would recieve, I plan to put it into mass marketing to be able to reach audiences I’m not able to normally be in front of. I also want to use the funds to secure a place where it can be a storefront and a place I can have intimate events. I offer high end products and believe everything from the candy to the packaging should be an experience in itself. My sturdy packaging will allow consumers to return and receive a discount for reusing their boxes because I believe in sustainability; and that if it isn’t broken you can keep using it. I envision a place where the smell of chocolate enters your senses and the visual of shiny striking colors and the taste of classic and bold flavors encapsulates you in a whirlwind of awe and excitement. That creating a box with treats you deem delectable are inches from your grasp. And you’ll be back because you’re just Wah-cuh-cow for chocolate.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1 My love for art. As a child I love art in it’s many forms. I’m not DaVinci by any means but I wanted my personality to show through my chocolate.

2 My passion for food. I have many good memories of cooking and baking with my mom and both my grandmas. I love taking concepts in my mind and bringing it to life in my chocolate. I source for the best quality ingredients and flavors that will make me stand above the competition around me

3 My want to service. Almost every job I’ve ever had, has been around serving others. I knew whatever I was meant to do it would be bringing joy to people. And my chocolate does just that. From the look down to the taste. Each chocolate takes your senses through a different vibe.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My husband has always been in my corner. He supported me before he even knew me. I was selling cake jars years ago and not only did he buy from me, but he gave me great honest feedback. He was one of the only few that really looked out for me when I came to Texas. He was a great friend to me and now he’s the best friend and husband I could ever have imagined. He always talks about me and promotes my business at his jobs and to his friends and family. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. He makes me feel secure in my life. He always encourages me. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wacacaofinechocolate.com
• Instagram: wacacaofinechocolate
• Facebook: Wacacao Fine Chocolate
• Youtube: wacacaofinechocolate

Image Credits

Erin Arnold