5 Sweet Ways to Celebrate Small Business Week (May 4–10)

Small Business Week is a great time to celebrate what makes your candy shop special. Whether you’re known for handmade caramels, chocolate-dipped everything or seasonal treats, this week is your chance to connect with your community, attract new customers and grow your business.

Here are a few practical ways to make the most of the week:

Offer Special Treats and Limited-Time Deals
Highlight new or seasonal items just for Small Business Week. Limited-time offers—like gift bundles, “buy one, get one” deals, or free samples with purchase—can help draw attention and bring in both new and returning customers.

Above is a preview of RCI’s member-exclusive collection of graphics for small businesses.

Build Hype with Social Media
Social media is a great tool to build excitement for the week. Share “behind-the-scenes” posts on Instagram showing how your candy is made or give previews of special treats. Engage your followers with sneak peeks, announcements and even live updates. RCI Members: Click here to login and download a collection of five social media graphics to help promote your small business.

Not an RCI Member? Now is a great time to join. As a member, you’ll get tools like these, plus access to valuable resources, networking opportunities, and industry support designed specifically for candy businesses. Click here to learn more and apply for membership with RCI.

Tell Your Story
Customers love to shop small when they feel a personal connection. Share what makes your shop unique—whether it’s your family recipe, your focus on local ingredients or your passion for handcrafted sweets. A quick behind-the-scenes video or a post introducing your team can go a long way.

Partner with Local Businesses
Team up with other small businesses in your area. You might offer a joint promotion, host a sidewalk sale or swap flyers and shout-outs on social media. Supporting each other helps the whole community thrive—and gives shoppers more reasons to visit.

Reach Out with a Thank-You Email
Send a short email to thank your customers and let them know what you’re offering during Small Business Week. Include store hours, any special deals and a message of appreciation for their continued support.

Small Business Week is more than a celebration—it’s a chance to build momentum for the year ahead. Use this time to highlight what makes your business special and take steps toward an even sweeter future.

Looking for more inspiration? Attend RCI’s Candy Convention!
Join us for RCI’s Annual Convention & Industry Expo June 16–19 in Northern Kentucky to gain industry insights, join engaging discussions and learn from top experts. New to RCI? First-time attendees can save $100 on a 1-Day Education Ticket with promo code RCIFIRST. Don’t miss this chance to learn from industry experts and grow your business—register today and save!

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Sweeten the Celebration: Birthday Cake-Inspired Treats

Birthdays are the perfect time to indulge in something sweet, and what better way to celebrate than with birthday cake-inspired candy and chocolates? Offering festive birthday-inspired treats is a great way to delight customers and boost sales. Even better, using birthday-themed promotions can turn celebrations into business opportunities.

Why Birthday Promotions Work

Customers love feeling special on their birthday, and businesses that recognize this can see major rewards. According to Entrepreneur, setting up a marketing trigger for birthdays can increase transaction rates by 481%. Imagine the impact of sending out a personalized birthday card or email with a free gift or discount—it’s a simple yet effective way to drive loyalty and repeat sales.

“Most people look forward to birthday cards in the mail, and whether it comes from a friend or a business down the road is no different—especially if it includes a free gift or discount,” notes Entrepreneur.

5 Birthday Cake-Inspired Treats

Photo credit: Bomboy’s Home Made Candy

Birthday Cake Truffles

RCI member Bomboy’s Home Made Candy fills a milk-chocolate cup with a truffle center before topping it off with a vanilla swirl and colorful sprinkles. Bite-sized, rich, these truffles bring the taste of birthday cake in a poppable form.

Photo credit: Hercules Candies

Birthday Cake Bark

RCI member Hercules Candies blends white chocolate with crushed Birthday Cake Oreos® and mini marshmallows, all topped with rainbow sprinkles.

Photo credit: Southern Caramel

Birthday Cake Caramels

This classic chewy caramel from Southern Caramel is infused with more butter flavor and hints of vanilla reminiscent of frosted birthday cake. This special recipe was developed to celebrate the company’s 10^th anniversary.

Photo credit: Bless This Mess Please

Confetti Cake Fudge

Try this recipe from Bless This Mess Please which incorporates actual white cake mix with sprinkles to achieve that undeniable birthday cake flavor. Click here for recipe.

Photo credit: Hammond’s Candies

Birthday Cake Lollipops

Looking for a sweet way to add to your birthday-inspired offerings. Look no further than these birthday cake flavored lollipops from Hammond’s Candies. Perfect as a gift or a delicious treat, these lollipops are bursting with the classic flavor of birthday cake.

How to Market Birthday Treats to Customers

• Set Up a Birthday Club: Invite customers to sign up for birthday offers. Send an exclusive discount or freebie during their birthday month.
• Personalized Mailers: Include the recipient’s first name on the card for an instant personal touch. Studies show this small detail makes people feel extra special and increases engagement.
• Social Media and Email Campaigns: Use fun and festive messaging to remind customers of their birthday treat. Encourage them to visit in-store or online to claim their gift.
• Limited-Edition Birthday Boxes: Bundle birthday cake-themed treats into special gift sets for a premium experience.

Sweeten the Deal

Birthday promotions not only make customers feel valued but also drive foot traffic and online sales. By offering birthday cake-inspired candies and setting up birthday triggers as part of your email marketing, you can create lasting connections while growing your business. So, why not start celebrating your customers’ special day? A little sweetness goes a long way!

Don’t miss the sweetest event of the year! Register now for RCI’s 2025 Annual Convention & Industry Expo and connect with top suppliers, discover the latest trends and sample new products. Expo Ticket: Just $10 in advance ($25 onsite)! Secure your spot today and save—register now!

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Why You Can't Miss the RCI Candy Convention!

If you’re a candy maker, chocolatier, or confectionery retailer, mark your calendar—because the sweetest event of the year is here! RCI has officially opened registration for the 2025 Annual Convention & Industry Expo, happening June 16-19 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Kentucky—just minutes from Cincinnati!

Why Attend?
This year’s theme, “Inspiring Generations of Candy Makers,” celebrates the rich experiences and ideas each generation brings to the industry. Whether you’re part of a multi-generational business or just starting out, this convention is designed to help you grow and innovate. Here’s what you can expect:

• Engaging Educational Sessions – Learn from practical education designed uniquely for the retail confectioner. Gain valuable insights on candy labeling requirements, alternative sugars, vegan ingredients and more. Roundtable discussions allow you to choose topics that best fit your unique needs and interests. Learn more.
  
• Two-Day Industry Expo – Connect with the industry’s top suppliers, discover the latest ingredients, equipment, and packaging solutions and explore innovations that could elevate your products. Click here to view the map of exhibitors.
  
• Networking Opportunities – Connect with other candy makers, retailers, and suppliers in the industry. Build relationships, exchange ideas and find new opportunities for collaboration.
  
• Behind-the-Scenes Tours – Get an insider look at some of the most iconic confectionery businesses in the Cincinnati area!

Confectionery Tour Highlights
One of the most anticipated features of the convention is the behind-the-scenes tours hosted by local confectionery businesses. Here’s a sneak peek at this year’s tour stops:

• Aglamesis Bros., Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) – Established in 1908, this fourth-generation family business will transport you back in time. Tour their new chocolate production facility and see their classic ice cream and Italian ice-making process. Learn more.
  
• Graeter’s, Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) – Famous for their small-batch French Pot ice cream, Graeter’s has been family-run for five generations. Get an inside look at their unique production process and watch confections like chocolate-enrobed butter cookies, peanut brittle and chocolate barks come to life. Learn more.
  
• Schneider’s Sweet Shop (Bellevue, KY) – Founded in 1939, this beloved candy shop is operated by second, third and fourth generations of family. Best known for their Opera creams, Schneider’s continues to use the same recipes and equipment from the early 1900s. Learn more.

Register Today & Save!
Choose from a variety of ticket options to customize your experience:

• Expo Ticket: Just $10 in advance ($25 onsite) for access to the two-day Industry Expo.
• 1-Day Education Ticket: Industry professionals attending their first RCI event can save $100 by using promo code “RCIFIRST” when registering.
• Convention Pass: Get the best value with access to all events Monday through Thursday.

Don’t miss out—register by April 25 for the best rates! Visit retailconfectioners.org/annual to secure your spot today! For more details, call 417-883-2775. Join us for an unforgettable experience that will inspire, educate and help you grow your candy business!

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Keeping Your Chocolates Perfect: How to Avoid Bloom

Chocolate is a treat we all love but keeping it looking smooth and flawless can be a challenge. One of the most common issues encountered when working with chocolate is bloom—those white spots, streaks, or dull patches that can appear on the surface. In this post, we’ll explain what causes bloom and share simple tips to keep your chocolate looking perfect!

What is Bloom?
Bloom can appear as spots, streaks, or dusty-looking patches and can range from a dull white to a severe white discoloration. There are two types of bloom:

• Fat Bloom – If your chocolate feels greasy, you've got fat bloom. This is the most common source of bloom which occurs when cocoa butter fat rises to the chocolate’s surface and recrystallizes. While fat bloom has a negative effect on appearance, the product is still safe to eat. You can fix pure chocolate by melting and retempering it. Unfortunately, finished confections (like truffles) can’t be easily repaired since they have fillings or inclusions.
• Sugar Bloom – When you rub chocolate and it feels dry and powdery, say “hello” to sugar bloom. Sugar bloom happens when chocolate is exposed to moisture. Water dissolves the sugar, which then forms rough sugar crystals on the chocolate’s surface when it dries.  Sugar bloom generally appears as droplets of sugar crystals on the surface of the product.  If the bloom is moderate to severe, the chocolate may feel grainy and should be discarded.

What Causes Fat Bloom?

• Heat Exposure – Excess heat can cause perfectly good chocolate to bloom. The heat melts some or all of the cocoa butter, and when it recrystallizes it lacks the proper stable cocoa butter crystal nuclei and cooling for proper recrystallization. Keep chocolate away from heat and direct sunlight to prevent this!
• Poor Tempering – Another source of fat bloom is poorly tempered chocolate. If chocolate isn’t tempered correctly (under tempered or over tempered) it will bloom faster than well-tempered chocolate. Using a tempermeter or other means of optimizing your tempering, will maximize bloom resistance.
• Incompatible Fats – A third source of fat bloom is the mixing of incompatible fats. If you use compound coatings, which are usually palm kernel oil based, these should not be mixed with cocoa butter-based chocolate. The incompatibility of these fats can lead to inefficient crystallization and eventual fat bloom.

How to Prevent Sugar Bloom
To avoid sugar bloom, keep refrigerated or frozen chocolates packaged and sealed until they equilibrate to ambient temperature. This prevents condensation, which can trigger sugar bloom.

Bloom might make chocolate look unappealing, but in many cases, it’s still fine to work with and can be melted and retempered to make beautiful, delicious chocolate confections. To keep your chocolate looking its best, store it properly, temper it well and avoid mixing incompatible fats.

Be the first to register for the industry’s sweetest candy convention! Make plans to attend RCI’s Annual Convention & Industry Expo, scheduled for June 16-19, 2025, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Kentucky—across the river from downtown Cincinnati.  Explore what's new in the confectionery industry and take away effective business and production strategies. Sign up to get notified when registration opens for this event to secure the best rates!

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

5 Ways to Celebrate American Chocolate Week

American Chocolate Week (March 16-22) is the perfect time for candy makers and chocolatiers to showcase delicious creations, attract new customers, and boost sales. Here are five creative ways to make the most of this sweet celebration.

Photo credit: Bon Appétit

Offer Limited-Edition Flavors

People love trying something new, especially when it’s only available for a short time. Create a special chocolate collection just for American Chocolate Week. Try unique flavors like breakfast cereal themed sweets, unusual chocolate-covered treats (think chocolate-covered Cheetos®, hey-oh!) or ask your social media followers to submit ideas they’d like you to try. Limited-time offers create excitement and urgency, encouraging customers to buy before they’re gone! Why does this work? Check out this blog post.

Photo credit: Wilmar Chocolates

Create Interactive Experiences
Create an interactive experience for customers in the form of a unique tour of your candy kitchen, a class on the origin of chocolate or a hands-on chocolate making class. Any of these options are sure to give your customers a greater understanding and respect for your products. Wilmar Chocolates invites chocolate lovers to work with expert “baristas” to create their own custom chocolate bars.

Chocolate to Keep. Chocolate to Share.

If you find that your customers are more often buying chocolate for someone else, remind them to enjoy American Chocolate Week themselves too. Offer shoppers a “Buy One, Get One” deal, bundle discounts, or a free chocolate sample with every purchase as a way to encourage them to buy chocolate to keep as well as to share.

Partner with Local Businesses

Team up with coffee shops, bakeries, or wine stores to create delicious pairings. For example, a local café could sell your chocolates alongside their specialty lattes, or a winery could host a chocolate and wine pairing night. Cross-promotions introduce your chocolates to new customers and strengthen community ties. Click here for more inspiration.

Go Big on Social Media

Use Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to showcase your chocolates and engage with customers. Post behind-the-scenes videos, share fun chocolate facts and run a contest where customers tag your business in their chocolate-themed posts. Encourage followers to vote on new flavors or guess mystery ingredients for a chance to win a sweet prize.

American Chocolate Week is a golden opportunity for candy makers and chocolatiers to boost sales and attract new customers. By offering exclusive flavors, hosting tastings, running promotions, partnering with businesses and leveraging social media, you can make the week a sweet success!

Get notified when registration opens for the industry’s sweetest candy convention! Make plans to attend RCI’s Annual Convention & Industry Expo, scheduled for June 16-19, 2025, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Kentucky—across the river from downtown Cincinnati. Connect with fellow industry professionals and grow your business through impactful education, tours and collaboration. Explore what's new in the confectionery industry and take away effective business and production strategies. Sign up to get notified when registration opens for this event to secure the best rates!

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.