Who doesn't love chocolate?

LIOF helps Tasty Present reach the rest of the world

What could be more fun and delicious than a chocolate telegram in the mailbox? Be honest, you have to think about that for a while. So did Tasty Present! Resulting in a hugely successful business in personal edible gifts. Meanwhile, the 'Cho-Creators' of Tasty Present have been creating the tastiest and most personal Chocotelegrams® and photos on chocolate since 1991. But did you know that these personal chocolate messages come from Sittard ...?

Harry Timmers, general manager of Tasty Presents, says: "Together with my wife Hélène, we started Tasty Present in Sittard in 1991. Everyone likes to receive appreciation, personal attention. After all, we live in the I era. The giver can show this appreciation with a personalized message of chocolate. With someone's own name, a logo or even a photo on it."

Say it with chocolate

Entrepreneurs use innovative printing technology on unique chocolate products. Crafted and delivered in a beautiful gift box. "If you order in our webshop, you can very easily put a text, a photo, an image or logo on the product. Our special printers guarantee top-quality printing," Harry says proudly.

"The supply of personalized chocolate gifts, which people can order by the piece and have shipped the same day, is very thin within Europe."

People and the environment are more important than returns

Sjoerd Geerling and Lenn Houbiers, investment managers at LIOF, regularly spar with the entrepreneurs. Sjoerd: "Tasty Present is socially very involved and always looking for less environmentally damaging products, production methods and packaging. Profitability is less important than its employees, growth and the environment. Let the latter, corporate social responsibility (CSR), be precisely one of the spearheads of LIOF's policy. We are happy to invest in that." "And, of course, we are always ready to taste, should they feel the need for that too," Lenn adds with a laugh.

"LIOF constantly kept us on our toes"

Harry was also immediately enthusiastic about LIOF. "We were not only looking for a financial contribution. An extensive network and available knowledge were also important reasons for us to enter into discussions with LIOF." The result was an inspiring process totaling just under a year. "During which LIOF constantly kept us on our toes. Whether it was about policy issues, target group selection, CSR improvements or building an IT lead," says Harry.

From Eastern Europe to Schinnen

Thanks to a close cooperation with Geruba Chocolade in Schinnen, Tasty Present was able to bring the entire chocolate production back to Limburg. "That this has paid off in a big way is obvious," Harry explains enthusiastically. "In terms of the environment, for example. This saves us at least 30,000 transport kilometers every year. In addition, we need much less stock and we package more efficiently thanks to investments in smarter printers and better packing machines."

The collaboration began at the end of June 2024. What is the state of affairs now?

Harry: "It is actually unbelievable how much we have already achieved in such a short time. Our position in the market is so much stronger and our web shop so much smarter. Strategic investments have enabled new products, better printers and more efficient processes. This foundation now allows us to grow internationally at a brisk pace."

Finally, does Harry have any tips for other entrepreneurs?

"As an entrepreneur, are you only looking for funding? Then LIOF may not be the best party. Asked and unsolicited, you get a lot of advice, pointers, options and reflections. Together worth so much more than a bag of money!"

"Asked and unsolicited, you get a lot of advice and reflections - so much more valuable than a bag of money!"

This testimonial is from November 2024.

Photography: Ron Wiersma(www.ronwiersma.nl).