Today's "She Inspires" feature is the fabulous Nicole Patel owner of Delysia Chocolatier right here in Austin, TX. When I first met Nicole a couple years ago, her sweet smile and yummy chocolates won me over. http://www.delysia.com/
What one thing inspires you on a daily?
My family (husband and children) – My husband is probably my biggest supporter and critic, all at the same time. It helps keep me level-headed and focused on the company’s core values. My children also inspire me – on a recent trip to a gourmet specialty food store, I purchased some chocolate for research. I offered to share them with Sébastien, my oldest son, to which he asked, “Mommy, are these your chocolates?” When I stated ‘No’, he politely said “No thank you then. I only eat your chocolate.” It made me want to cry!
How did you start your business/blogging and what keeps you focused?
I first created truffles when I was 8 months pregnant with my oldest son, Sébastien (he is now 4½ years old). It was right before the holiday season and I was watching the cooking channel looking for edible gift ideas. I found a recipe for chocolate truffles that seemed easy enough. I never did make that exact recipe, as I started modifying recipes to create my first 3 truffle recipes – peanut butter, mint, & hazelnut. (As a side note, my son was born a few days later, almost a month early).
It was 2 years later that my husband encouraged me to consider starting a business. The truffles were such a hit that first Christmas and I continued to make them on a regular basis. At the time I was working in a stressful engineering job for a large tech company in Austin. This was an outlet. I thought that if I could make some money on the side, even better.
The initial plan was to start the business with a focus on weddings only. I then had this wonderful idea to combine chocolate & wine to create wine truffles – our specialty (we are the first in Texas to work with local vineyards to create truffles with their wines.) We approach a few wineries in the Hill Country with this idea. Our very first client was Becker Vineyards in Stonewall, Texas – and the partnership has flourished ever since.
I am a perfectionist – this is probably what keeps me going the most – this constant drive to continuously improve. And, now, as word has spread about my chocolates, it’s really my customers that keep me focused and growing. I often say that ‘life is pulling me along and I I’m enjoying the ride, anxious to see where it all leads.’
What words of inspiration do you have for other aspiring business women?
-Follow your woman’s intuition – it will never steer you wrong.
-Trust and believe in yourself.
-Don’t be afraid to take risks – this is often when life is the most rewarding
-Don’t compromise time spent with your family – nothing is more important than this
-It’s OK to say ‘NO’
What's your design style?
My design style is simplistic and contemporary. I love very clean and simple designs, with modern touches. I also love to match old/vintage and new to create a modern look.
What three things do you have to have in your bag/purse?
As a mom of 2 small boys, Sébastien (4 ½ ) and Colin (18 mos), I always have snacks and baby spoons. You will often find a few Hot Wheels cars in the bottom of my purse as well – typically it ends up being the ones that we have just searched the house for an hour looking for to find that the boys hid them in my purse. I also always have Advil for those stressful days.
Note to Nicole: Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your passion with us and of course great advice. I look forward to working with you soon! You Inspire!
What one thing inspires you on a daily?
My family (husband and children) – My husband is probably my biggest supporter and critic, all at the same time. It helps keep me level-headed and focused on the company’s core values. My children also inspire me – on a recent trip to a gourmet specialty food store, I purchased some chocolate for research. I offered to share them with Sébastien, my oldest son, to which he asked, “Mommy, are these your chocolates?” When I stated ‘No’, he politely said “No thank you then. I only eat your chocolate.” It made me want to cry!
How did you start your business/blogging and what keeps you focused?
I first created truffles when I was 8 months pregnant with my oldest son, Sébastien (he is now 4½ years old). It was right before the holiday season and I was watching the cooking channel looking for edible gift ideas. I found a recipe for chocolate truffles that seemed easy enough. I never did make that exact recipe, as I started modifying recipes to create my first 3 truffle recipes – peanut butter, mint, & hazelnut. (As a side note, my son was born a few days later, almost a month early).
It was 2 years later that my husband encouraged me to consider starting a business. The truffles were such a hit that first Christmas and I continued to make them on a regular basis. At the time I was working in a stressful engineering job for a large tech company in Austin. This was an outlet. I thought that if I could make some money on the side, even better.
The initial plan was to start the business with a focus on weddings only. I then had this wonderful idea to combine chocolate & wine to create wine truffles – our specialty (we are the first in Texas to work with local vineyards to create truffles with their wines.) We approach a few wineries in the Hill Country with this idea. Our very first client was Becker Vineyards in Stonewall, Texas – and the partnership has flourished ever since.
I am a perfectionist – this is probably what keeps me going the most – this constant drive to continuously improve. And, now, as word has spread about my chocolates, it’s really my customers that keep me focused and growing. I often say that ‘life is pulling me along and I I’m enjoying the ride, anxious to see where it all leads.’
What words of inspiration do you have for other aspiring business women?
-Follow your woman’s intuition – it will never steer you wrong.
-Trust and believe in yourself.
-Don’t be afraid to take risks – this is often when life is the most rewarding
-Don’t compromise time spent with your family – nothing is more important than this
-It’s OK to say ‘NO’
What's your design style?
My design style is simplistic and contemporary. I love very clean and simple designs, with modern touches. I also love to match old/vintage and new to create a modern look.
What three things do you have to have in your bag/purse?
As a mom of 2 small boys, Sébastien (4 ½ ) and Colin (18 mos), I always have snacks and baby spoons. You will often find a few Hot Wheels cars in the bottom of my purse as well – typically it ends up being the ones that we have just searched the house for an hour looking for to find that the boys hid them in my purse. I also always have Advil for those stressful days.
Note to Nicole: Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your passion with us and of course great advice. I look forward to working with you soon! You Inspire!