From chocolate to self-employment: how a duo from Düsseldorf is embracing the sweet side of entrepreneurship

How did you come to set up your business?

Ariane H. and Sven W.: We are both master confectioners, and even whilst we were still training, we each had the ambition to run our own confectionery. However, we didn’t want to take this big step into self-employment on our own. As luck would have it, we met and fell in love at the Iserlohn Master Confectioners’ School, and from then on we’ve been an unbeatable team. This is how the idea for the small patisserie and café ‘Confiserie Harmonie’ came about, where we lovingly handcraft delicious tartlets and exceptional varieties of pralines. The intensive phase of bringing the project to fruition took around 18 months due to financing and approval procedures.

What were your first steps, from the initial idea to setting up the business?

Ariane H. and Sven W: We were in complete agreement from the very start about our passion for the art of patisserie. Our guiding principle was to create products with care and attention to detail, using only the very best ingredients. We drew up our business plan on this basis. Finding a shop premises proved difficult due to the many regulatory requirements, but this finally came to a happy conclusion when we rented a shop in the heart of the old town.

The search for solid financing from a local bank was not immediately successful either, as doubts were expressed about the viability of our business model. Ultimately, the flexible nature of our business plan meant that we did secure financing. All that remained was to bridge the waiting period for the planning permission due to a change of use – a tough test given the financial burden of rent already due and numerous investment costs. We didn’t give up and were able to open the shop in the run-up to Christmas.

What support did you receive during the process of setting up your business?

Ariane H. and Sven W.: A wide range of organisations helped us bring our idea to life, including Hattingen Business Development, our bank advisers, our tax adviser, the mayor, our shopfitter and, of course, our lovely family and friends, who were always there to listen to us. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all once again from the bottom of our hearts.

Our advice to anyone thinking of starting a business is: don’t give up! Yes, it’s hard work, but it’s worth putting all your passion into the idea.

What role did STARTERCENTER NRW play in this?

Ariane H. and Sven W.: The STARTERCENTER NRW at the Dortmund Chamber of Crafts has been with us every step of the way and has shared our excitement. From helping us with the business plan to numerous discussions and even many site visits to view and assess potential shop premises, the STARTERCENTER NRW at the Dortmund Chamber of Crafts has always been by our side. We are still in close contact with them now.

What changes has your business undergone during the coronavirus crisis?

Ariane H. and Sven W.: Due to the restrictions imposed by the local authority, which not only require us to close the café but also affect our counter sales, we have decided to set aside a specific day for collection, when our customers can pick up the tartlets they have ordered during the week.

We have also focused more on producing small-sized themed cakes for every occasion.

We have used the time saved productively to create three further tartlet specialities and set up an online shop for the tartlet collection day. We are also adding macarons to our range.

Have you applied for the NRW emergency aid? What was your experience of the process?

Ariane H. and Sven W.: Yes, we submitted our application within the first few days. However, because there was a hold on payments, we didn’t receive the emergency aid until a month later.