KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES
DBW&CO (trading as KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES) produces two chocolate brands: plant-based NOMU NOMS and the award-winning KOKOPOD gourmet chocolate range.
Need
KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES needed finance to build new eCommerce platforms for its brands including website development, copywriting, marketing and design.
Solution
Our Small Business Export Loan enabled KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES to develop its website, ecommerce platform and branding and take its Nomu Noms product successfully overseas.
DBW&CO (trading as KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES) was formed in 2015 when owner Brigid Woolnough decided to commercialise her chocolate-making hobby. Along with hosting ethical chocolate-making classes for individuals and corporate groups, the business produces two brands: NOMU NOMS and the award-winning KOKOPOD gourmet chocolate range.
KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES started their export journey selling KOKOPOD to buyers in Singapore and Dubai. Understanding the market and acting on its learnings along the way, KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES created a chocolate designed for exports, NOMU NOMS – suitable for less breakages during transportation and a longer shelf life.
When it was time to extend the export growth strategy for Nomu Noms, Woolnough reached out to Adam Pearce, Business Development Director, Export Finance Australia to discuss its finance requirement.
She already knew Adam, having met at an export event. The two of them kept in contact, with Adam visiting the KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES factory to learn about the business and providing useful information to help prepare for international success.
“It was really good because when I did become ready, I had all the information at hand to make the decision I needed,” said Woolnough. “I knew everything I needed to know because I had many interactions with Adam and Export Finance along the way.”
The finance from Export Finance Australia enabled us to move forward and be able to put that product in the market faster than we would have been able to alone.
Brigid Woolnough
Owner, KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES
Much more than finance
With Adam’s help, Woolnough determined that she was eligible to apply for our Small Business Export Loan.
“It was a very simple process,” she said. “The ease of the application matched the tone of the brand of Export Finance Australia, and the relationship with Adam was far better than with any other lender.”
The application process helped Woolnough work out exactly how much money she needed, and where it should be spent to maximise her export strategy.
By providing the finance to develop the business' website, ecommerce platform and branding, KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES is now on track to ensure the Nomu Noms product is successful internationally.
Continuing to grow internationally
In 12 months’ time, the focus for KOKOPOD ENTERPRISES is to push at least 40% of its business to be in export. “The finance from Export Finance Australia enabled us to move forward and be able to put that product in the market faster than we would have been able to alone,” said Woolnough. ”I wouldn't hesitate to talk to Export Finance again about further opportunities to grow our business.”