The 5th Annual RTP Mistletoe Market is right around the corner. While we have lots of fun vendors and libations for adults, this year we want to share the fun with your kids too! We will have two happy elves located in Santa’s Workshop, teaching your little elf how to make a beautiful snowflake to take home. They can also learn our secret recipe for reindeer food to put out on Christmas Eve!
Read on to learn more about some of the vendors who will be at the Market with yummy treats for your whole family (even the dog!)
Company: Elevated Chocolate
Mastermind: Felisa Brown
Q: Give me a 3-sentence elevator pitch about your business.
A: We are a local family making handcrafted small-batch unique chocolate creations. We use chocolate as our creative outlet and want to make something you have never seen before.
Q: What is the most popular product among your customers or your personal favorite?
A: Our “Kentucky Mountain Runner,” a smooth dark chocolate bar that is topped with bourbon-soaked toasted pecans coated in a crispy bourbon caramel, and our key lime marshmallows dipped in smooth dark chocolate and rolled in graham cracker crumbs.
.Q: Tell us a story about an experience that left you feeling like you had succeeded with your business.
A: At our very first market, we showed up so nervous with a cloud of worry and doubt swirling around in our heads, and then that night we sold out of four different products. We left knowing that we could make it and people love our products as much as we do!
Company: Carolina Biscuit Dog Treats
Mastermind: Emalie Levine
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your business?
A: Carolina Biscuit Dog Treats was birthed out of the love for our chocolate lab, Clyde. He had many ailments and when I started baking treats and paying attention to the ingredients I used, we started to notice a change in his health, less joint pain, loss of weight, better skin/coat and less ear junk.
Q: What is the most popular product among your customers or your personal favorite?
A: We use purposeful ingredients in our treats, so each one of our varieties has a benefit for your dog. Molasses Bones are great for older dogs with joint or arthritis concerns. Our Flax Seed Stars contain more omegas than salmon and are great to help with itchy dry skin and they are easy on the tummy. Our Coconut Chia Hearts work to fight bad breath and flush the kidneys and liver of toxins. We even rolled out Peanut Butter Delights – made without wheat and no salt but loaded with yummy goodness and healthy oils. They are all my favorites.
Q: What is your favorite holiday & why?
A: Fall and the Holiday Season are my favorite. When the temperature drops, I want to bake even more and I love to bake for your doggies and human treats for my family/friends.
Company: Julz’s Creations
Mastermind: Julie Singer
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your business?
A: I started out making various Christmas gifts from produce I got out of my backyard garden. I grew too many hot peppers, so made hot sauce. I started making pickles, jams, jellies, mustard, etc. Friends and family all commented that my stuff was really good, and I should sell it. I was somewhat hesitant because I knew starting a small food business would be a huge undertaking. Nonetheless, I took the plunge and dove into the somewhat complicated process to go legit, complete with training, fees, filings, and registration with the FDA.
Q: Tell us a story about an experience that left you feeling like you had succeeded with your business.
A: I sent samples of my hot sauce to the owner of a hot sauce store in New York state and he loved them so much he immediately ordered 3 cases. And he just ordered 6 more cases!
Q: What piece of advice would you give to aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
A: Don’t be afraid to ask too many questions! Also, see if you can connect with local entrepreneurs in your area. Chances are, they have gone through or are going through what you are and can help you navigate.