A sweet success: the story behind the chocolate-covered cherries

Behind every successful artisanal product, there is often a story shaped by intuition, patience, and repeated trials over time.

This is the case of Michelle Hill, founder of Tibbenham Chocolates in Barboursville, who transformed her love for chocolate-covered cherries into a business that has grown season after season, becoming a local benchmark.

From a passion for cordials to the perfect recipe

For Michelle Hill, it all began with a passion cultivated since childhood. Chocolate-covered cherries were among her favorite sweets and, as she herself recalled, Queen Anne’s products were a regular choice.

From that preference, a long journey of home experimentation began. Hill spent years refining her recipe, testing different combinations of ingredients and suppliers. Friends and family became her first taste testers, while she experimented with various types of chocolate, different cherry sources, and different cream brands, with the aim of finding the ideal balance.

The turning point came in 1999, when she identified what would become the winning formula. As she recalled, those who tasted that batch told her not to change a thing: the right recipe had finally been found.

The result is a handcrafted dark chocolate-covered cherry, made with wax-free chocolate and cherries sourced from orchards in upper Michigan. For her company, Hill chose the name Tibbenham Chocolates, drawing on her mother’s maiden name.

With the help of a friend’s son, she purchased a domain and launched the website she still uses today: www.chocolatecoveredcherries.com. At the beginning, it was a small-scale project. In the first year, the company sold about 100 boxes at a price of $10 (approximately €9.20) each. Modest figures, but enough to lay the foundation for growth that, over time, gained momentum thanks to word of mouth.

Support from the WV SBDC for growth

When Tibbenham Chocolates began preparing for a more structured expansion phase, Michelle Hill turned to the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC).

The center provides consulting and support to entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey: from initial concept to the launch of new ventures, up to the more complex needs of established companies, such as the one led by Hill.

Her current coach, Doug Harper, helped her navigate critical steps related to managing a now well-established business. Hill emphasized how his advice proved crucial in handling very serious issues, to the point that, in her words, it contributed to saving the company.

She also expressed gratitude to her previous coach, Amber, and to the entire WV SBDC team. Today, Tibbenham Chocolates sells nearly 1,000 boxes per week during the peak season, which runs from late October through Easter. In addition to the website, her products are available in more than two dozen specialty stores across the state.

A decisive step in this growth was the move from a home-sized kitchen, located behind her quilt shop, to a rented building with a fully equipped commercial kitchen in Barboursville. The new space enabled the company to significantly increase its production capacity and triple its workforce.

After hiring six part-time workers in 2023, Hill added another six this year to meet the growing demand. According to Harper, this new facility allowed the company to overcome the limitations of its previous production setup and opened up promising prospects for the brand.

An impact beyond the product

Tibbenham Chocolates is not just a commercial success story in the artisanal confectionery sector. The company also contributes to the local economy by providing stable jobs and strengthening the community fabric.

Harper described Michelle Hill as a concrete example of dynamic entrepreneurship, highlighting her ongoing commitment to creating well-paid jobs and her direct contribution to the economic vitality of her area. A path that not only strengthens the company but also supports local families and encourages community development.

With a loyal customer base, expanded production capacity, and ongoing support from the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, Michelle Hill has built a business that clearly shows how a personal passion can turn into a solid entrepreneurial venture.

The story of Tibbenham Chocolates demonstrates how craftsmanship, vision, and strategic support can generate lasting value, not only for the brand but for the entire territory.

Source: WV SBDC

Image source: Tibbenham

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