RSSFather and son hoping to explode onto candy market
Emmett and James Masterson display boxes of Atomic Fudge. They hope to launch a new business this holiday season.
Sweet describes confectioners Emmett and James Masterson perfectly.
Emmett, 57, has been making fudge for Valentine’s gifts for his friends and family for the past 20 years. It wasn’t until a recently that Emmett and his son James, 14, thought seriously about trying to make a business out of candy-making.
The original recipe was a family heirloom but Emmett and James have added their own ‘secret ingredients’ over the years to make their own scrumptious, over-the-top chocolaty treat.
“A friend of mine told me I just had to sell it,” said Emmett as he displayed a one-pound box of Emmett and James Best-Tasting Atomic Lava Fudge Tuesday morning.
That friend introduced the Masterson’s to the Business Incubator as a way to kick-start their new business.
“It’s down there by the Department of Energy which made me think of the name ‘Atomic’ for the fudge,” Emmett explained.
But starting a candy business has been much harder than Emmett expected.
He has a variety of health issues including emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Formerly a painter by trade, Emmett now relies on public assistance to pay for his medical expenses.
Making just a little money with a business could jeopardize those benefits leaving him in an “all or nothing” situation.
“Do I want this? I really do but it has to be enough to cover my medical expenses,” he explained.
In the meantime, Emmett and James are hoping that donating enough of their product to a variety of community events and organizations will spread the word needed to launch a full-fledged business.
They have donated over 200 pounds of fudge samples so far this year to the Leukemia Foundation, Walk For Life, fundraisers for Delaney Clements, and Western Colorado Pediatrics, among others.
Atomic Fudge launched a website this week to begin taking orders for the holiday season. They need enough orders to cover the cost of using a commercial kitchen in order to sell their product nationwide.
“We’ll need about 100 orders in order to cover the cost of the product and rental kitchen space,” Emmett said.
Flavors include dark chocolate, milk chocolate,peanut butter. Rocky Road, plus a variety of candy and nut combinations.
Emmett and James aren’t afraid to fulfill custom-orders for unusual flavors. “One lady asked for watermelon so I made it,” Emmett said with a laugh.
Each box costs $14.95 regardless of flavor and shipping is available. Local delivery is available. To order, visit http://www.atomic-fudge.com.
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