BULLION® is award-winning British ‘bean-to-bar’ chocolate. We spoke to founder Max Scotford.
I was inspired to start my business by …
I’ve always had a real interest for food which lead me to train to become a chef. During this time I became fascinated with chocolate – everything from the history to the incredible nuances that can be derived from each origin. Realising that there were only a handful of people actually making chocolate from the bean, I was inspired to start producing it at home and turn my passion into a business. Aiming to speak for the growers and bring the best out of the beans that I work with.
My favourite thing about running my business is …
I literally love every aspect of running my business. It doesn’t feel like work, it just feels like the right thing to do and it’s empowering to continue to realise your goals.
The three words that best describe my business are …
Craft
Transparent
Quality
Sheffield is a great place to start a business because …
Even though it’s such a large city, I feel like it’s retained a sense of community spirit. This is fantastic for people starting a business as word soon gets around and you can connect with some truly amazing people to help you on your journey.
Sheffield is a great place to grow a business because …
Bullion has only been trading for 10 months, so we’re still very much in the start-up stage. I’m positive that it’s a fantastic place to grow a business – come back in a year’s time and we will see for ourselves!
The best advice I ever got was …
Funnily enough, I saw a quote on a wall outside the Sheffield Hallam University library and it’s kind of stuck with me since I graduated.
“The important thing to do is to try and remain true to a vision that you had and that can be very hard, very hard, but if you’re prepared to put the work in the rewards are rich”.
I believe it was just quoted from a student at the university but he/she is speaking sense!
The worst advice I ever got was…
“Be patient” – the term gets used regularly in life. But in business, if you truly want something, you need to start taking steps towards it and immerse yourself in challenges that will get you closer to where you want to be. If not, somebody else will beat you to it – it’s only a matter of time.
The Sheffield organisations that have supported me and my business include …
Sheffield Hallam University
Business Sheffield
The main challenges facing my industry/sector are …
Education – Bean to Bar is a relatively new term to consumers. We’re actually working from cocoa beans as a raw ingredient and taking them through a series of complex steps that result in a finished bar of chocolate. Education is key to differentiating our products within the confectionary market and teaching consumers about the amazing journey from bean to bar.
In 5 years’ time I expect my business to …
I’d hope that our bars would be recognised internationally within the bean-to-bar market.
