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Chokolit

Dear Entrepreneur,

When I started my business I set myself some principles that I stick to and that help to keep me focused, but despite that, running a business is not straightforward and there are many aspects that you just can’t plan. My advice is to be open to changes. Go with the flow as much as you can, but you will come across many obstacles that need a decision that you might not have allowed for in order to move forward. You have to be open to new challenges and opportunities.

Why I started my business

I never felt that I belonged in the educational system and this was a very unhappy time for me. It wasn’t until I was 11 years old that finally, after an Educational Psychologist assessment, I was diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and short-term memory loss coupled with a high IQ. Although this was a massive relief for me and I did not see it as a disadvantage at all, being taken out of school to be home tutored was a necessity. I was bullied badly and it was a group decision between my family and I.

My love of animals led me to a job at a local falconry centre where I learnt that I had an amazing ability to absorb information, and for the first time was able to read book after book because it was a subject that fascinated me. I also took to speaking publicly with ease and used this new-found skill to talk to the public about the birds at the centre. It was whilst walking through a garden centre at work that I came across a book for sale, Belgian Chocolates and Cakes. I bought it and set about absorbing everything I had read. I began to get requests to make chocolate cakes for family and friends and as word spread I seemed to be spending more and more of my time in the kitchen fulfilling orders. As they say, that’s when I had the Eureka! moment and decided to turn my passion into a business. The rest is history. To cut a very long story short, I became the youngest supplier to Waitrose at 13, Sainsbury’s at 14 and Selfridges at 16.

If you are wondering why my company is called “Chokolit”, it came about simply because being dyslexic that is how I spell chocolate. When I needed to come up with a brand name I realised without thinking I already had.

Why to start a business rather than work for someone else

Running your own business is the most rewarding, exciting and exhilarating career you could ever choose but nothing will test your strength, commitment and perseverance more!

I aspire to be a recognised entrepreneur, to grow a global business and to make an impact in my industry and to the lives of young people across the world.

Good luck

Louis Barnett

Founder, Chokolit

www.chokolit.co.uk