In Conversation With Lucy From Creighton's

Creighton's was founded in 2011 by a Mother/Daughter partnership, Andrea Huntington and Lucy Elliott. Creighton's Chocolaterie is full of fun, colourful and irresistible flavours with handcrafted packaging that is designed and wrapped by an all-girl team in their Leighton Buzzard kitchen.

We were able to ask Lucy a few questions on what it is like to run a business with her mum and what inspires her to create more delicious chocolate.

We love the fact that Creighton’s is a mother daughter business... Could you tell us a little more on how you started the business together?

My Mum and I have always enjoyed food and baking together. I wanted to develop my skills in baking so the two of us decided to take a chocolate making course together in 2010. What we learnt excited us enough that we decided to create and sell some of the chocolate products we had made and we came up with endless ideas for flavours and shapes. My dad encouraged us to take it further so we decided to start the brand and open up a shop together!

What are your favourite things about working with your mum?

Over the years as we have taken on a bigger team, we have spent less time working on the same aspects of the business together - we very much have our own departments and then come together to discuss the bigger picture. It’s great to have a colleague that understands me and can translate my ideas!

What do you love the most about working in an all girl team?

It’s very civilised and there are no male egos to deal with!

What does a working day look like in Creighton’s HQ?

We have three areas of the HQ - a day in the wrapping room is a sea of bubble wrap, cardboard boxes and real crime podcasts. The Production area is very noisy and extremely efficient - enter at your own risk! I’m not actually allowed there so I couldn’t tell you what goes on but chocolate bars come out of it! Upstairs (office and design studio) is where the day to day business happens, I can be doing anything from drawing new designs to payroll and accounts. We all come together at lunchtime though for a communal lunch around the table which is a good time to catch up.

What has been your favourite limited edition bar?

In 2018 we did a range based on Palm Springs and the California Peaches bar was my favourite flavour and design combination (it had mid century houses all over the wrapper).

Your chocolate is inspired by a love for design, combined with a nostalgia for 90s pop culture. Who is your favourite 90’s pop icon?

I’m bending the rules and choosing Dane Bowers from Another Level (not 90’s). I’m obsessed with his fashion and dance moves in all the videos they did. So much cheese - I want someone to make a Spinal Tap style film about him.

Do you follow any Instagram accounts, blogs or publications that inspire you?

I’m always saving posts on instagram by @magdaarcher and @sirjoancornella, I love their dark take on comic style art. I find @coucousuzette and @karenmabon very inspiring for products. I also have a lot of interior design blogs and accounts that I follow as I find the colours really inspiring (@ew_studios, @layersandshapes, @mrbuckleyinteriors)

Have you ever received any good advice or words to live by that has stuck with you?

Behind every door is an opportunity, it’s up to you to decide which doors you open.

Shop our Creighton's chocolate here.

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