Portsmouth beauty therapist finds her hidden talent for creating chocolate boxes during lockdown

Fiona McKnight, from Baffins, started up her business Chocobox during lockdown and she has been blown away by its success as her customers have snapped up her intricate designs.

The 27-year-old began making her boxes back in December as a side hustle, but she soon saw orders flood in after posting her work on Facebook.

She said: ‘I started Chocobox in December as I was unable to do lashes and it completely blew up!

‘I was inundated with orders for the Christmas period and I thought it would just be for Christmas but the orders kept coming.

‘It’s been amazing how quickly it’s grown and I am so grateful for everyone who has ordered and supported, Chocobox has been an absolute life saver!’

Fiona was unable to work in her eyelash business, Ooh La Lash, over the lockdown period and was inspired by others on social media to start a creative side business to earn money.

She started to make edible boxes out of chocolate, but she never expected her business to go further than her own friends and family.

The boxes are made by pouring melted chocolate into a mould and refrigerating until they had set. Then fillings such as cookies or pick and mix are added into the detailed chocolate casings.

The most popular boxes are her heart shaped ones with chocolate covered strawberries.

However, Fiona’s personal favourite is the star shaped box, which often is filled with a pick n mix due to its slightly smaller size.

On Saturday, Fiona took Chocobox to her first market, Love Southsea on Palmerston Road, which resulted in a near sell out of all her products.

It was the first weekend out of lockdown, so she was excited to be able to sell her creations as well as socialise with the public.

‘It was a really lovely atmosphere. Everyone was happy to be out and about, she said.

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With Easter having just passed, Fiona was flushed with orders – sending out eight boxes during the busiest week.

She said: ‘It was hectic.’

Now Fiona is able to work with her lash business again, she spends the day working on Chocobox orders and pampers clients with lashes in the evening.

For more go to facebook.com/Chocobox-106541108097953 or email [email protected]

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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