Name of your website?Peruvian Chocolate
Your name?
Dan Cilo
Your Location (city, etc)
Bethesda MD
The website provides information on Peruvian Chocolate that is imported and sold at Whole Foods in Maryland
What inspired you to launch your own website?
Large companies take advantage of the image of Fair trade without taking fair trade one step further. Our chocolates are made where the cacao is farmed. My website promotes the job opportunities that exist because the chocolates are made in Peru by people instead of in Europe by machines.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
Back in May of 2007. It was www.peruvianchocolate.com
How did you decide on a name for your website?
We sell Peruvian Chocolate. We are what we say. We don't try to be more than we are.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
Other Fair trade companies simply pay a fair price for the raw material for chocolate. Their aid stops with the farmers. My website and company help the community of Tarapoto Peru by providing skilled labor jobs for those living in the region. Other chocolate websites and companies make their chocolate far from the fields of cacao.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
To increase business for this factory in Peru so more job opportunities are created for those living in this rural region of Peru.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
I invest more time than the success I have achieved. I love helping this community so the work is well worth the effort. The pay off will be in the long run when the factory is recognized for its quality chocolates and its contribution to its community.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I am not sure. I would try to create a visual portal for users to learn about the chocolate process. Even if they are in the US, they can see how the cacao is transformed into chocolate. The user can see what it takes to make quality chocolate.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes, the factory is set for a much greater output than it currently produces. I have the time to invest in my website but would need to incorporate advertisements to make my site work for me.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
I am not that good with HTML but am learning. I can not figure out how to incorporate ads into my site that look nice and fit with my products.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Finding clients.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Google Ad words and doing demos in Whole Foods to tell people about my chocolates.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It is hard to know what to put. I need to know what my viewers want to know.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
I have been running the website since May 2007 and will continue the website until I sell the company which won't be until I need to retire. I like the connection to the public through my website and am willing to stick it out until I gain some recognition.
Why do you think you will be successful?
It may sound naivee but I am doing something good and doing it well. The factory makes some delicious chocolates and does it fairly. We treat the farmers well and we treat the local community in Peru well. We are trying to bring a region of Peru out of poverty. When people recognize what we are doing, I belive that they will want to support us. Not only because they get to eat wonderful chocolate, but because they are helping others make a living for themselves.
What is your website address?
Peruvian Chocolate
