DCD Featured on Food Network's "Unwrapped"

Food Network had a segment on their show "Unwrapped" which featured DCD products.  The segment itself showed a little mini-party with the chocolatier making truffles and mixing martinis.  The show really showed off DCD products and introduced DCD to a whole new group of people.  Right now, I know that calls are pouring into the corporate office from potential recruits and hostesses.

When I was watching the show, I just wanted to point out a few things.  First, the chocolatier who was featured was really fantastic and did a wonderful job.  However, the parties do not have to be as intricate as what was featured on TV.  For me, I keep my parties very simple and don't make any reindeer truffles (although, if asked by my hostess, I would be willing to do a special truffle party).  I make a few baked goods and talk about the products.  The products really sell themselves, so there isn't much "showmanship" involved.

Secondly, Betty Palm, the president of DCD, pointed out that there are only about 6,000 chocolatiers across the United States.  This is still a ground floor opportunity.  Many, many people still haven't heard of DCD and the market isn't saturated.

I'm sure as a watch re-runs of the program that more thoughts will occur to me.  I encourage you to watch the show and let me know your thoughts!

DCD Ordering Portal - "How-to" Guide (For chocolatiers)

I've had numerous questions about how to use the new ordering portal. I have created this guide, specifically for chocolatiers, to assist them in placing orders for customers. If you are a customer and are looking to place an order, please go to www.chocolatewithkristine.com or send me an email chocolatewithkristine@gmail.com and I will be in contact with you!

To place a customer order with Dove Chocolate Discoveries, it is necessary to use the ordering portal which is available on their website. The following pages are intended to be a step-by-step guide on placing an order. After consulting this guide, if you still have ordering questions, please contact your sponsor or your team leader to help you!

1. To begin, make sure that your browser can support the DCD system. Your browser should allow pop-ups from DCD. If your system is not allowing the pop-ups to appear, try downloading Firefox. This is available at www.firefox.com. If your browser is allowing pop-ups, skip to step 2.

Tasting Tips for Chocolatiers

The key to Dove Chocolate Discoveries is having a successful tasting party.  The best thing about DCD is that the parties are a snap.  In and of itself, tasting chocolate is fantastic and fun.  As long as you have your samples in order, the party and fun will mostly take care of itself.  So, the question becomes, how can you best present and sample the chocolate at your parties?

First, make sure that you are giving out SAMPLES.  For example, when I taste the Cinnamon Dusted Almonds, each person gets to taste one almond.  There will be plenty of chocolate for everyone to taste.  At the end of the party, nobody will think that they haven’t tasted enough.  For me, I tend to have people taste more items, but smaller portions.  For an example such as cookies, make small cookie balls about half the size that you normally would.  Then after they come out of the oven, cut those cookies in half. 

Second, show some different and easy recipes that can be made with DCD products.  I always sample some chai tea with cool whip.  Everyone loves this.  Buy a container of Cool Whip and let it completely thaw.  After it has thawed, stir in a packet of chai tea and mix it in completely.  I usually bring some teddy grahams for people to dip into the chai tea.

Third, our best selling product is the chocolate martini mix! Show it off.  It’s delicious and a great buy.  When you make the martinis, don’t use the directions on the bottle.  Add some sort of dairy.  At my parties, I use the following recipe:  3 oz mix, 3 oz ½ & ½, and an ounce of vodka.  I usually tell my guests that they can increase the vodka, depending on how bad their day went!

Fourth, have fun and don’t pressure people!!! Everyone messes up.  It’s ok.  Don’t worry about it.  Remember, your parties are about your guests and how you can provide them with a wonderful time.  Don’t worry about how much they buy or how big the party is.  It’s more important to develop a relationship with people.  You don’t know what is going on in a person’s life.  Meaning, even if they don’t buy anything, maybe they will host a party or refer someone to you.  Or, maybe, next time they will come in and place a $200 order!