amelia rope
Chocolate Creator. Explorer. Podcaster.
Why the move into podcasts?
Podcasts are a wonderful medium and anyone who knows me knows how I love to chat with people. I find life and people fascinating and enjoy gaining insights into what makes people tick. So why not bring my business experience (things I got right, things I got very wrong and things I did just about ok) and a guest’s business insight to share with you?
Why the name Hope & Patience?
Firstly, I believe they are two vital qualities required to thrive.
And secondly, Hope & Patience were the names of my two amazing Grannies. They were complete opposites … one small and squeezy, the other tall and willowy. Hope lived in East Suffolk … Patience in West. Both were strong, capable, spirited women who put themselves last in the pecking order. I have no idea what they would think of being the name of my podcast venture but hopefully they would give it the thumbs up!
What was the major turning point in your career?
Competing twice on ‘Masterchef’ had a massive influence on me. Though I was totally out of my depth on the show … winging it to be honest …it confirmed my love of ingredients and cookery. The show was the catalyst I needed to shift from working in the health service into launching my chocolate business.
What challenges did you face running your chocolate business?
The challenges have been seriously relentless. Some came back to haunt me on several occasions and others were one-offs. Each one though I learnt from and for that I am now grateful for. They are in brief here … more info to follow in my blog.
Cashflow … who doesn’t?
Lack of resources … manpower and cash.
Seeing near-to identical packaging on the shelves. ‘Imitation is the highest form of flattery’ is a phrase I struggled with …
When a manufacturer was due to supply thousands of bars and let me down 2 weeks before I was due to supply to a corporate client. At the busiest time of year!
When I needed to drive up to a manufacturer and foil my stock to make sure orders went out. Oh and yes they still charged me for the work I did!
Juggling my ‘roles’: CEO, Creative Director, Finance Director, Sales & Marketing Director, PR Director, Product Development Manager, Packaging Designer, Social Media, Blogger, PA, order processor, in-store taster, customer service and general skivvy. I was spread far too thinly … and by year 7 running on empty!
R&R time.
What have you learnt about the importance of well-being and self-care:
In the early days I took my health totally for granted. Selfishly so. Then 2 very good mates died almost simultaneously … one from cancer and the other from a heart attack. It hit me hard. Knocked the stuffing out of me. I realised that the length of our lives cannot be assumed. And if I wasn’t careful, I may well be heading the same way. Nature’s red flag was held up to me in 2017.
In February 2017 my immune system transformed into an autoimmune disease. Immediate action to look after myself was required … not one day … but NOW. I could barely walk, couldn’t kneel, had red wheals up both my shins and it took 20 minutes each morning to mobilise myself before getting out of bed. Diagnosis: Sjogren’s syndrome. Prescription: Steroids. My elixir: sleep loads, eat well, push back hard when required, flush out anyone or anything which jeopardises my health, have stronger barriers, spend more time with family and friends and laugh a lot more. I returned back to rude health and thankfully there has been no recurrence to date.
Share with us a few things you do for your well-being nowadays:
I have my phone on silent, have notifications turned off, don’t look at emails after 6.00pm unless I have to, have regular/routine hours for sleep and waking, I exercise every day – whether its walking or gym/stretch classes and I allow myself time to chill. I eat well and avoid skipping meals or eating late. Ooh and I eat a line of 85% chocolate every day. At least a line!
What are your 3 greatest achievements/highlights?
It’s tough to condense them into 3 but here they are:
Having the most wonderful customers who have loved my chocolate recipes
Winning and/or being nominated for awards (both product related and personally related) … not in an ego way. I am not trained in chocolate nor running a business (it’s all self-taught) which has made each award/nomination mean a massive amount.
Supplying all the stores, hotels, corporate customers and retail consumers
What social causes do you support?
Fine Cell Work is a charity and social enterprise that trains prisoners in paid, skilled and creative needlework which can be done during the long hours spent in prison cells to foster hope, discipline and self-esteem.
I am a volunteer employment mentor for Fine Cell Work’s ‘Open the Gate’ programme. This programme helps apprentices (ex-offenders) get back into work/education and able to begin their new chapter.
Any books or things you would recommend?
Yes … they are all in the Goody Bag area on the site. Who doesn’t love a goody bag … if it has some fab gifts inside!
