Business owner:
Western Care Association.
Business description:
Production of hand made chocolates. We also care for the needs of the service users who work at Moy Chocolates. These include holidays, hospital appointments, clinic appointments, house visitations, etc.
Year set up:
1997.
What sets your business apart?
We produce a unique product and offer employment to people with special needs.
No of employees?
Six service users, two full time staff and one part time.
Why did you choose this business?
At the time there was a local market for handmade chocolates. We did a survey to research the market.
Do you run special offers?
No, because we are a voluntary organisation and all monies raised are re-invested into the organisation.
Has recession affected your business?
Greatly. For example the wedding market is not as lucrative and the downturn in the building trade has affected us as companies are not providing gifts as often as they did in the past.
Advice for anyone starting a business:
Because we are a voluntary organisation our business is not the same as another business.
Where do you see yourselves in five years?
Hopefully still producing a quality product.
What inspires you to continue in business?
To continue to supply a quality local product and to see the benefits it brings to the service users.
Why do you support Buy Mayo?
The whole idea of supporting your local area and keeping jobs within Mayo is important to Moy Chocolates. It is the essence of what our company is about.