How I set up my own business: Magdalena Marsden and Cocoa & Heart

After 10 years of making chocolate truffles as a hobby, redundancy gave Magdalena Marsden the push she needed to turn her skills into a thriving business.

Working for yourself, and making money doing what you love, is a dream most of us have had at one time or another.

Actually doing so, and setting up one's own business is much rarer, but as our guide explains, launching an online shop is much simpler then you might expect.

Technology has made a huge difference; entrepreneurs can use the web to take their good idea far beyond their local area.

One example is Magdalena Marsden runs Cocoa & Heart, a small Kent-based business that produces chocolates, as well as running workshops and parties.

“I’ve been making my own chocolate truffles since 2000,” she says.

“They were popular with my friends and family, so I decided to turn my passion for them into a business.”

Being made redundant was the push Magdalena, 43, needed to get going.

At the time, she was completely new to the online world and wasn’t even on social media.

“I knew I needed a website for my business but didn’t have a huge marketing budget, so decided to make my own website,” she recalls. There are a number of low-cost web design platforms out there, as our guide explains.

Magdalena's original plan was to sell chocolates at local markets and fairs but as most of them already had such stalls she opted to focus more attention online.

“I didn’t realise this at the time, but this was the best thing that couldn't have happened to us,” she said.

“Now, our customers are not only from Kent but across Europe.”

She ended up loving the challenge and insists the hours spent researching the best practice for web design, copywriting and SEO has paid off.

Her advice for would-be entrepreneurs is not to give up because online businesses are rarely successful immediately. It can take a while to build momentum.

“Do one marketing task a day and it will all add up,” she said. “For example, if you are creating your own website, be prepared that this will take time.”

She also advises asking for help and feedback.

“Most people will be only too happy to pass on tips and advice, particularly if you are contributing to online discussions,” she says.

Inspired to set up your own business? We’ve put together a beginners’ guide.