Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Wilson.
Hi Tracey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We’re Tracey & Bob Wilson, college sweethearts now married for almost 30 years. Several years ago, our family participated in a mission trip to Nicaragua and saw poverty at a level that was heartbreaking. After that trip, we searched for a way that we could, in some small way, help provide jobs to people in impoverished communities. While researching possible ways to help, Bob discovered that cacao grows only near the equator, much of it in impoverished areas, and much of the time, the cacao farmers are not paid a fair price for their cacao. We learned that we could buy ethically sourced cacao, which would ensure that the cacao farmers earned a fair price. But that meant we had to earn to make chocolate! So in 2016, we bought cacao and chocolate-making equipment and spent months learning all the steps necessary to make the best chocolate we could make. We then began selling chocolate bars at local farmers’ markets and events and were thrilled at the local support we received. We also began to receive requests from retailers who wanted to carry Dripping Springs Chocolate in their stores. So, in 2017, we built out our mini chocolate factory and now we sell chocolate in over 40 retailers in Central Texas, in our factory store in Dripping Springs and in the online store at DSChocolateCo.com.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, we had the initial challenge of learning to make chocolate. We honestly didn’t realize what we were getting into. Making chocolate itself is a science, but making good chocolate is a blend of science & art, which requires a lot of patience. We’ve also had to become educators, explaining to folks why it matters to purchase chocolate made with ethically sourced cacao. The business grew quickly, which is wonderful, but growth also brings challenges around hiring employees and upgrading equipment. And though none of us could have anticipated the unique challenges that 2020 brought, our customers were just incredible. And because of them, in 2020, we had our biggest year ever. And our 2021 sales have already surpassed 2020. The way people connect with our products and our story is wonderful and humbling.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Dripping Springs Chocolate Co?
Dripping Springs Chocolate makes single-origin craft chocolate using ethically sourced cacao (AKA cocoa beans). “Craft chocolate” refers to chocolate produced by small chocolate makers who strive to produce chocolate, which highlights the cocoa beans. “Single-origin” chocolate is crafted with cocoa beans from one single region, country or origin. Cocoa beans grown in different places take on different characteristics depending on where they’re grown. “Bean-to-bar” chocolate makers control the entire chocolate-making process.
We offer over ten varieties of chocolate bars year-round and have additional varieties seasonally. All of our chocolate is soy-free and gluten-free. Our dark chocolate varieties are also dairy-free and vegan. In addition to chocolate bars, we make hot cocoa mix, cocoa spice rub, various gift baskets, wedding favors, and have corporate gifting options available.
As makers, we also love to collaborate with other local makers. For example, we make a coffee chocolate bar with Mazama coffee, roasted a couple of blocks from our shop. We carry soap from BareAsh, a local soap maker and candles from Dripping Springs Candle Co. One of our newest projects was making Garrison Brothers bourbon-infused chocolate bars.
When we began making chocolate, we had no idea that we’d be partnering with local wineries for chocolate & wine pairing events, but they’ve become one of our favorite things to do.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Starting a small business always requires risk. You risk that your financial investment and hours & hours of hard work may not pay off. And even if your see sales initially, every step of growth requires more risk with taking on additional employees & buying equipment, usually before you feel like you can afford it. Bob and I are really blessed that our personalities balance each other, both in our marriage and as business partners. Taking business risk comes more naturally to Bob while I want to over-analyze every possible scenario. Therefore, when we work together, we tend to compromise and meet in the middle, which has worked well for us.
Pricing:
- $4 and up
Contact Info:
- Email: info@DSChocolateCo.com
- Website: www.DSChocolateCo.com
- Instagram: drippingspringschocolate
- Facebook: @DSChocolateCo
Image Credits:
Dripping Springs Chocolate Co
