Christopher Elbow calls himself the accidental chocolatier. That accident is one of the best things that could ever happen for chocolate lovers.
Chris, as he’s known to those close to him, set out to be a savory chef with plans to one day open his own restaurant. A little help from Emeril Lagasse, Kansas City diners and Oprah changed that course and eventually led to the creation of Christopher Elbow Chocolates.
Let’s back up a bit to an opportunity to work at Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant in Las Vegas. The only open position was as a pastry chef, which Chris accepted under the presumption that he would eventually move to the savory side. Turns out, he enjoyed the pastry side so much, he didn’t want to switch.
“All right, I’m going to be a pastry chef now,” Chris said. “And, really chocolate wasn’t even on my radar. At no time in my career did I ever decide, ‘Oh, I’m going to be a chocolatier or start a chocolate company.’ That just happened very organically.”
He returned to Kansas City, taking a job as a pastry chef at renowned The American restaurant. There he began experimenting with chocolates – unique designs, colors and flavor combinations – that were sent out to guests with the check.
It was really just a fun part of my job,” he said. “I enjoyed it. It wasn’t until a customer asked if they could buy them… for a wedding, and I was kind of like, ‘Oh, I never thought of that. Six months later, I started my company.”
Small Businesses Bring Challenges
Like many small business owners, Chris has learned that creativity alone isn’t enough; understanding financing, cash flow and long-term planning are just as critical.
In fact, after more than 20 years of owning and operating his own businesses, Chris just started taking business classes. And, to other burgeoning entrepreneurs he says: “Go to business school first!”
“I'm not saying somebody should go get their MBA, but go study financing and accounting, and really understand how to read financial statements,” he advised. “That's going to allow you to make the better decisions to grow your business. Understanding the financing side of it and how to leverage debt in the right way is really key.”
Ever humble, Chris says his gourmet chocolate business has succeeded in spite of him and the mistakes he made along the way.
“We didn't start out with retail, and this was really pre-commerce. This was back in 2003. We didn't even have a website then,” he said. “My plan was to open a retail store at some point, but we got very fortunate. We got some very good press right away. We were actually in Oprah Magazine in 2004. And that basically launched, really catapulted, our business.”
A bit of luck? Perhaps. But Christopher Elbow was also one of the pioneers of this style of chocolate making, and hard work and innovation continue to drive the business forward.
What began in a 400-square-foot room above a Kansas City restaurant has grown into a nationally recognized chocolate brand. Today, Christopher Elbow Chocolates employs more than 60 people, with locations in Kansas City, San Francisco and Breckenridge, as well as a robust online presence
As demand continues to increase, Chris and his team remain committed to quality. The handmade chocolates and other confections require precise measurements and exact temperatures. It can take days to make the perfect bonbon.
“So, I think, you know, it wasn’t necessarily anything I did to create that demand,” Chris said. “I just think it speaks to the quality of product that we create, and how we present it, and the experience that we offer that keeps people coming back for more.
“And we’re always doing something new. Innovating, reinventing and keeping it fun.”
he Importance of a Financial Partner
Chris started working with FNBO when he was looking to finance equipment, facilities and buildings. That grew into what Chris considers a partnership.
“They understand and know our business,” he said. “I can rely on their expertise when we want to do something, like open a new store or buy a piece of equipment.”
His commercial banker helps analyze business opportunities and provides options on how to finance it or structure it.
“It's great to have somebody like that in your corner,” Chris said. “We don’t really have a CFO or anything on staff. FNBO basically has become an extension of our financial team. It's been really great to grow with a bank like FNBO.”
After more than 20 years in business, Christopher Elbow Chocolates continues to evolve by introducing new designs, flavors and experiences while staying true to the craftsmanship that built the brand. With the right partners in place, Chris and his team remain focused on what they’ve always done best: creating something memorable, one piece at a time.
Watch the video below to learn more about Christopher, his company and the chocolate industry.
