Sweet Entrepreneurial Dreams
by Vicki Salemi
As soon as you step into Dylan's Candy Bar, an "eatertainment" store with locations in New York City, Long Island, Houston, and Orlando, you'll feel like a little kid in a candy store.
"I wanted to create an entertainment shopping venue for people to have fun while finding their favorite candy products, where Candyland meets Willy Wonka," explains Dylan Lauren, owner, founder, and CEO of Dylan's Candy Bar.
Her ultimate goal? To build a candy empire. With colorful M&Ms, a retro section overflowing with Ring Pops and Charleston Chews, and a full-fledged ice cream bar with yummy concoctions like peanut butter swirl, it's easy to salivate over her success. Lauren, who says her treats are "red licorice laces, red gumballs, marshmallows, and red gummy stuff," studied art history at Duke University (Durham, NC) and credits her study days abroad in Rome and London as inspiration for her success today. Her travels introduced her to cool interior designs, neat candy packaging, and interesting candy products
Do your homework. Before she opened up shop, Lauren did extensive research and spoke to entrepreneurs to learn about setbacks, challenges, and successes. She admits it also helped having a famous dad to look to for inspiration. Her father, Ralph Lauren, built an empire, so she believes it's possible to succeed in a lifestyle business.
Best of all, Lauren never gets bored. "I don't feel the pain and monotony of an uncreative job. Every day is different."
Follow your heart. Thus far, Lauren says her toughest challenge is dealing with aspects of the business she doesn't enjoy, such as financial ones. Her advice? "Surround yourself with people who can help you where you aren't as knowledgeable. In terms of finance, have someone you trust explain the numbers."
Above all, she advises, maintain a network of friends from college, and let passion guide you. "If it's in your gut and you follow your heart, you'll be on the right track."
"I wanted to create an entertainment shopping venue for people to have fun while finding their favorite candy products, where Candyland meets Willy Wonka," explains Dylan Lauren, owner, founder, and CEO of Dylan's Candy Bar.
Her ultimate goal? To build a candy empire. With colorful M&Ms, a retro section overflowing with Ring Pops and Charleston Chews, and a full-fledged ice cream bar with yummy concoctions like peanut butter swirl, it's easy to salivate over her success. Lauren, who says her treats are "red licorice laces, red gumballs, marshmallows, and red gummy stuff," studied art history at Duke University (Durham, NC) and credits her study days abroad in Rome and London as inspiration for her success today. Her travels introduced her to cool interior designs, neat candy packaging, and interesting candy products
Do your homework. Before she opened up shop, Lauren did extensive research and spoke to entrepreneurs to learn about setbacks, challenges, and successes. She admits it also helped having a famous dad to look to for inspiration. Her father, Ralph Lauren, built an empire, so she believes it's possible to succeed in a lifestyle business.
Best of all, Lauren never gets bored. "I don't feel the pain and monotony of an uncreative job. Every day is different."
Follow your heart. Thus far, Lauren says her toughest challenge is dealing with aspects of the business she doesn't enjoy, such as financial ones. Her advice? "Surround yourself with people who can help you where you aren't as knowledgeable. In terms of finance, have someone you trust explain the numbers."
Above all, she advises, maintain a network of friends from college, and let passion guide you. "If it's in your gut and you follow your heart, you'll be on the right track."
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