Meet the CT Family

Summer

Hi, I’m Summer, creator and co-owner of CT. After facing another redundancy, a while ago, Dan asked me if I could come up with a new business idea. Though the business model was very different back then, Chocolate Treasures was born. To explain what this business means to me would be no easy feat. The truth is, that I didn’t ever think it would be possible for me to be doing what we are now. I didn’t finish school and didn’t sit my exams due to years of anxiety and confidence issues. The way our business has been embraced by our customers and community has acted as the perfect tonic to clear up any doubts or struggles I’ve suffered with previously. When I’m at the shop, you will often find me spraying down the tables, doors and surfaces, which is where I earned my nickname (Jantex Jan) and generally trying to keep the place spic and span! I love to run around behind the scenes making sure all the staff have what they need to operate smoothly and if there is any seasonal décor that needs doing, I’ll be getting stuck into that too! In my spare time I like to read, sing and cook.

Nickname: Jan

Special Skill: Queen of clean

Favourite thing from CT: Our hot chocolates and the salted caramel square from the cabinet.

Ebony

Hi, I’m Ebony and I help to manage the day to day running of the shop. I’m the chief taste tester for new products and I’m also the ribbon/bow perfectionist! I love getting creative with product presentation and shop décor and in my spare time, I enjoy baking cakes and tending to my many, many plants! I’m the one who deals with all things wedding/party favours, and I really try to work with people to make their visions and colour schemes come to life. I really value the friendships we have made in our community and beyond since we’ve been here.

Nickname: Beb

Special Skill: Ribbon Extraordinaire

Favourite thing from CT: All of it! I just love chocolate!

Angel

Hi, I’m Angel. I moved from Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire) to work with my Aunties and Uncle. I started my job as an apprentice in 2021 and since then, I’ve enjoyed making friends with my other team members and lots of our customers too! I’ve gained a lot of confidence and independence since starting this job and I love meeting all the new people who visit our shop every day. I also enjoy travelling back to Buckinghamshire as often as I can to visit my family. I’m extremely clumsy (so they say), I have a wacky fashion sense, I’m a real foodie, and I love running and singing in my spare time. I’ll usually be on the ice cream side of the shop, and I love seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they see their ice creams come to life! (I’ll even pop an extra chocolate on the top sometimes, when the bosses aren’t looking. Shhh)!

Nickname: Nigel

Special Skill: Milkshake whizz!

Favourite thing from CT: I love the ice cups!

Ellie

Hi, I’m Ellie. I came into CT as an apprentice in August 2021. When I first started, I was quite anxious and a lot quieter. Since then, I’ve become much louder and more confident, and I love having a laugh and joke with our customers. I’m usually on the ice cream side of the shop where I love getting creative with new flavours. I even created our signature Chocoholic milkshake! I’ve learned to have a lot more patience and understanding in this job and our team dynamic at work is like one big family! We’re always having banter and winding each other up! (Especially me and Nigel). In my spare time, I enjoy getting my eyelashes done, going to the gym, and sleeping! I also have a love for cars, particularly Mustangs.

Nickname: Ben

Special Skill: Creator of The Chocoholic milkshake

Favourite thing from CT: Sticky Toffee Pudding Chocolate

Lewis

Hi, I’m Lewis. I am autistic and I joined Chocolate Treasures as a volunteer in February 2022 after I’d applied for countless jobs elsewhere with no success. But I am now employed with CT as a part time member of the team! When I first joined, I struggled with some of the fiddlier tasks such as ribboning bags and boxes of chocolate, but I am now proud to say that after lots of practice, I can finally tie a bow! You will usually find me working on the chocolate counter and nothing makes me happier than helping and advising customers with their purchases. I have an in-depth knowledge of the flavours we offer in the cabinet and I’m the man for the job if you’re struggling to make a choice. I love listening to a bit of Elton John whilst we’re working, and you’ll quite often see me sporting a snazzy bow tie and boater hat! I really enjoy coming up with new and unusual flavours to experiment with for our hot chocolates!

Nickname: Lulu/Lois

Special Skill: Master of the chocolate cabinet

Favourite thing from CT: Anything minty!

Rose

Hi, I’m Rose and I’m currently working with CT part time. I’m also studying health and social care at college, but I have a particular interest in psychology. Since starting, I’ve learnt to work well under pressure and I’m always happy to get stuck in. I’m quick to learn and I’m especially good at memorising customer orders. I’m totally born in the wrong decade, I’m a 90’s girl through and through! I love my fake lashes and outside of work, I go to the gym. I love listening to music and will listen to anything and everything.

Nickname: Roger

Special Skill: Ice cream powerhouse

Favourite thing from CT: Anything caramel

Evie

Hi, I’m Evie. I’m currently volunteering with CT. My main duties are on the chocolate side of the shop, assembling our confectionary products ready for the shelves, making up chocolate boxes for customers and organising/refilling the chocolate cabinet (which is my favourite thing to do)! I have the patience and a real knack for making it look the best it can be! In the short time I’ve been here, I can already feel my confidence growing and enjoy working in such a friendly environment. My interests outside of work are reading, history and art and I aspire to one day work in a museum or art gallery, in a big city.

Nickname: Adam

Special Skill: Organisation Sensation

Favourite thing from CT: The Cherry Pie chocolate.

Daisy

I’m Daisy and I’m the real boss of CT! I’m sassy, energetic and love my CT family! Everyone looks after me at the chocolate shop and they all play with me and keep me safe. I like watching videos on Lewis’ phone, watching Ellie make my ice cream and helping Angel with small tasks. It’s lots of fun having a Momma & Daddy that own a chocolate shop. I get to treat all my nursery friends to treats! I can sometimes do little jobs to help too!

Nickname: Monkey/Baby Unicorn

Special Skill: Queen of chaos

Favourite thing from CT: Bubble gum rolled ice cream with Strawberry sauce.