Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Kurani.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was very fortunate to grow up with wonderful parents who own their own business, and who were a great model of how you can challenge yourself on multiple levels as a small business owner, and have great fun doing it.
My folks are inspired and generous mentors, and I was lucky to get to see the mechanics of business up close, with all of its rewards and opportunities, and it inspired me to open my own business in 2005, which has resulted in two jewelry stores, both named Zinnia -one in Burlington, VT and one in Cambridge, MA.
In 2013, a neighboring business owner approached my family about his candy company in Provincetown, MA, where my parents have two retail shops. He was looking to retire, and wanted to sell his candy factory and retail store to someone who would carry on the tradition of an iconic business that had been making saltwater taffy since 1927, and selling it, among an array of other candy, in a well-known Provincetown location since 1955. We were excited by the idea of making products that people have been enjoying and sharing for generations, and of being a part of a candy store that brings such joy to everyone! The opportunity to own a candy factory that makes taffy, fudge, brittles and popcorn, and to interact with customers in such a fun, special way truly sounded like a dream. We jumped at the chance, and have been loving it ever since.
In 2015 we opened a Cabot’s Candy outpost in Harvard Square, which is located inside my jewelry shop there. We ship our saltwater taffy, fudge and brittle fresh from the factory, and have a great selection of weigh your own bulk candy, fine chocolates, local treats, and packaged items, just like we do in our Provincetown shop. We are truly pleased with the warm welcome we have received from folks who have been visiting us on the Cape for years, and are so excited to stumble on our new location. Expanding into the Boston area has been an incredible opportunity to see the reach that our candy and our brand has. We love being a part of people’s Cape Cod memories, as well as creating new relationships with customers finding us for the first time, and our new location feels like a perfect extension of those ideas.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We were very lucky to keep on the incredible team that helps make everything happen. Candy production is hard work, and our staff is the best there is. Our general manager is a kind, skilled leader who can change hats in an instant if needed, and our head candy maker is truly talented and passionate about his craft. Working with people you respect and care about can make all the difference in how challenges are tackled and ultimately solved, and we are so fortunate in that regard.
Other than the inherent challenges of learning the ins and outs of a new businesses, most of our struggles are machinery related it seems. We have beautiful, old taffy wrapping machines that at times seem to defy physics. They work hard, and occasionally fail hard! We have that rare day where we feel more like engineers than candy makers, but ultimately, we have a lot of affection for them and love to show customers what they can do.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cabot’s Candy – what should we know?
We specialize in the production of saltwater taffy, but are also known for our fudge, a range of peanut brittles and popcorns. As a small, regional producer, we are so proud to be in our 90th year of making taffy! Nothing makes us happier than watching folks truly enjoy their candy, or overhearing grandparents tell their grandchildren about their memories in our shop. To witness a tradition being shared from one generation to the next inspires us to do the best we can every day, and to make the best candy that we can.
What sets us apart as saltwater taffy manufacturers is our focus on small batch candy. We cook and pull in the traditional way and we add a touch of Cape Cod sea salt which is harvested locally. We use real flavoring ingredients like maple syrup, honey, molasses, chocolate and peanut butter, and are continually looking to develop new flavors. The off season is a great time for experimentation, and taste testing of course! Our sea salt caramel taffy, a newer flavor for us, has been a runaway hit. Pretty soon you’ll see coconut rum brittle in our stores, which is just delicious. And our new mint chocolate fudge is a long awaited flavor that sells out as fast as we can make it!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The concept of teamwork comes to mind when I think about success. We are only as strong or successful as the relationships we foster. And the same goes for our approach to customer service, which is obviously a huge part of any business’s success. We are all customers sometimes – we aim to treat customers with the thoughtfulness we hope to be treated with and to leave good feelings in our wake. We work hard to earn our customers’ good will and to deserve their business. Despite our best efforts, of course, we are far from perfect. It is just as important that we stay accountable for the mistakes we make in the hopes of learning as a team and doing a better job the next time around.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1300 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
276 Commercial Street
Provincetown, MA 02657 - Website: www.cabotscandy.com
- Phone: Cambridge: 617-497-7500 Ptown: 508-487-3550
- Email: info@cabotscandy.com
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