Money and Chocolate February 28, 2012My MoneyOff

Chocolate sales are predicted to hit $19 billion by 2014, up from $16 billion in 2006.

Despite depressed economic conditions, gourmet chocolate is especially hot – it’s one of the fastest-growing trends in the sweets industry.

A record number of women, including Dixie Daly of Tickled Pink Chocolate, are capitalizing on America’s sweet tooth.

Daly bit into the business after concocting the idea of making pink chocolate bars in the middle of the night.

To fund her recipe for success, she sold her red convertible and networked to find a manufacturer willing to create her unique product.

Daly’s chocolate bars sell across the U.S. – she currently holds the exclusive trademark for pink chocolate.

Her products are used to help nonprofit groups raise money and are even slipped into Hollywood (and Little PINK Book!) event gift bags.

Tickled Pink is part of a nationwide trend of female-owned gourmet chocolate start-ups. From Seattle and New York to Chicago and Atlanta, the chocolate business is flourishing. Though, as with any small business venture, success doesn’t come easily.

“There are times the money gets tight,” says Daly, “But then I’ll get an email from someone who loves the product. That’s my inspiration.”

“Plus,” she says, “one day I’m going to get a black convertible with pink on it.”

Bonus PINK Link: Learn about two sisters who turned their love of baking into a successful business – and a hit TV show.

By Julia Turner

“Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don’t need an appointment.” Catherine Aitken

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