CJ’s Candies Earns Sweet Success!

Valerie Lamb’s journey in candy-making began in 2012 while working at a local candy store. The job ignited her passion for chocolate creations and set her on a path to learning more about it. The shop moved out of Henry County and Valerie decided to pursue her own business, driven by her desire to continue the rich tradition of candy-making in her community. Inspired by her former coworker, Carol Joyce Prosser, Valerie named her store CJ’s Candies. Carol, who has five decades of experience in the candy business, now plays an integral role at CJ’s Candies. Visitors to the store can often find her diligently packing candy boxes in the front, adding a personal touch to each order. Valerie’s cherished endeavor, CJ’s Candies, specializes in crafting hand-dipped chocolates using only quality ingredients. Their delightful range includes creamy-centered candies, toffee, and nutty treats, ensuring every sweet tooth is satisfied. In her pursuit of becoming a business owner, Valerie discovered the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) through Henry County’s Business Builders workshop series. The series, presented in collaboration with New Castle Main Street, New Castle Henry County Economic Development Corporation, and other partners, equips entrepreneurs with essential tools for business success. As a participant in the workshop, Valerie gained access to software for crafting a business plan and guidance on implementing her plan effectively. The program’s culmination was the Business Builder’s Launch Night. She presented her business plan and delivered a 2-minute pitch to a panel of judges. Her plan for CJ’s Candies stood out, earning her the $5,000 grand prize and the People’s Choice Award, which granted her an additional $1,000. These funds helped Valerie’s dream to become a reality, leading to the start-up of CJ’s Candies. Valerie also received guidance from Carlas Bogue, her business advisor at ISBDC, who played a crucial role in helping to get CJ’s Candies started. Transitioning from her home-based operation, CJ’s Candies now boasts a location in downtown New Castle. Valerie expressed her appreciation for the Business Builders workshop, “The Business Builders class taught me so much that I wouldn’t have even thought about opening a business.” She also commended Carlas’s support in launching her business, “Carlas was amazingly helpful in getting this business off the ground. I didn’t know business before the SBDC taught me. Carlas and the other advisors were always there to answer all of my questions, and there were a lot of questions.” Situated in the heart of Downtown New Castle at 1501 Broad Street, CJ’s Candies welcomes customers from Tuesday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 6 p.m. For inquiries and orders, contact CJ’s Candies via email at [email protected] or (765) 422-1167. Additionally, you can follow them on Facebook.