A Longtime Dream of Selling Calico Fudge Comes True

I went to the Denver Merchandise Mart and saw Calico for the first time. I was really excited about it. I liked Calico’s fudge. I liked the program and I loved the profitability. I presented the concept to my Board of Directors, but their lack of enthusiasm prevented me from moving forward.

Still an owner, I left the day-to-day involvement managing Sea Lion Caves. When I came back 20 years later, we bought out the one partner who had been negative in the past. Coming back to the business after 20 years, I wanted to pop the bottom line and make things happen. I never gave up on the idea of Calico’s Fudge Program and talked to Calico for about a year before we finally became part of the Calico family.

We’re in the process of redesigning the store right now with the hopes of making our fudge program better. By rearranging the store, it will be easier for more than one person to operate behind the counter. I like our fudge display and it looks good in the store. We go beyond the traditional brown flavors by adding a lot of colorful fudge varieties and that really enhances things.

I ran some projections and predict that our first year’s profits, excluding labor, will be in the $100,000 to $125,000 range. I like that! The entire experience has just been great and the product is excellent. My customers react very positively to the fudge. And something this positive is positive for the rest of our business.

I’m glad I didn’t give up my dream and I’m glad Calico didn’t give up on me!

Sea Lion Caves
Steve Saubert