Hey, I'm Maya Simler and I'm the founder @ PLAYin CHOC.
Tell us all about your business...
PLAYin CHOC is an ethical and sustainable UK manufacturer of organic dairy free chocolates and plastic free toys.
Our mission is to promote healthier treats - protect the natural world through our choice of materials and educational fun fact cards - and foster creative and imaginative play with our toys. Using just 3 main ingredients - cacao; coconut and vanilla - we have created a delicious organic vegan chocolate with no nuts, soy, gluten or cane sugar and half the sugar of typical alternatives - which is packed with vitamins and minerals.
What's your background and motivation to get into the solopreneur life?
First came the commitment to ethical standards. I was upset for years before about all the plastic pollution and all neglecting of planet and animals. That inspired me to do something about it and create a product which will raise awareness of those issues through both kids and adults.
Our chocolates contain only 3 natural and organic ingredients: cacao, coconut and vanilla. They are 14 main allergen free certified! My goal was to create a treat which would be suitable for most children regardless of allergies or religious diets. There are lots of kids that have to miss out on parties or treats that their friends or siblings are having.
Big part of the brand is education. I wanted to educate through fun and treats. Our first collection and still very popular was endangered animals as I thought it’s important that kids ask the question and start a conversation with their parents about this urgent issue we are facing.
As an entrepreneur, what does success ultimately mean to you?
We would like to see PLAYin CHOC being available all around the world and enjoyed by many. Raising awareness, educating and bringing a lot of Joy!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a business today?
1. Be true to yourself and your vision
2. Remind yourself of why you chose the path when it’s challenging
3. Believe in it
If there was one thing you could do repeatedly day in day out to help grow your business then what would it be?
PLAY and eat chocolate 😊
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
Juggling motherhood and career is definitely a big challenge! We have more systems in place for PLAYin CHOC and I feel it’s starting to get more manageable but the first year and a half was very intense juggling so many different tasks.
We also involve the our kids in our work whenever possible!
Who are some of your favorite entrepreneurs and why?
I don’t think I have a specific advice as everyone has to find their own inspiration. For me it was definitely lots of different mompreneurs.
For anyone looking to start a business today, what would be the number one bit of advice you'd give them?
Make sure you are passionate about what you choose to do!
Where can people find you online?
You can find us at PLAYin CHOC on YouTube, Facebook and on Instagram.
If you like what you've read here and have your own #GoSoloStories that you'd like to share then hit Jonny up on Twitter, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.