After 10 years of making chocolates and candy as a hobby, Hoagland entrepreneur Nila Augustyniak has launched her own specialty candy business. Nubby’s Sweet Creations, LLC is named after Nubby, her childhood nickname, as a tribute to her family.

Nubby’s Sweet Creations specializes in handcrafted chocolates and gummy bears in a variety of flavors. The handcrafted chocolates include truffles, filled chocolates, caramels, chocolate bars, and specialty gift chocolates.

Augustyniak, who has attended classes at the Callebaut Chocolate Academy in Chicago, likes to emphasize the local connection of her sweets. “We use locally-grown and locally-made ingredients whenever possible,” she said.

In addition, she is a client of the Northeast ISBDC, the local branch of the Indiana Small Business Development Center, and handcrafts her candies using the CookSpring Shared Kitchen facilities in Fort Wayne. CookSpring, located at 1025 West Rudisill Boulevard, in The Summit complex, is a partnering agency of the NE-ISBDC.

Nubby’s specializes in creating special-order, handcrafted chocolates that can be used for the customer’s own personal enjoyment or for a variety of purposes:

· Gift giving, parties and business meetings

· Wedding reception and special event party favors

· Employee recognition and customer appreciation gifts

· Holiday celebrations

Nubby’s Sweet Creations are available in gift boxes and can be delivered free of charge within a 30-mile radius of Fort Wayne. Shipping also is available within the continental U.S., although it is not encouraged during the hot summer months due to the potential for melting.

Although Nubby’s currently is a one-person operation, Augustyniak plans to add employees as the business grows. She will be selling her candies at the Winter Market of the Fort Wayne Farmer’s Market on Saturdays this October through May 2017, and then hopes to rent a small retail space at The City Exchange or a similar venue. Her long-term goals are to have her own storefront, offer her products in retail shops throughout Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas, and be able to ship her products throughout the U.S.

For more information on Nubby’s Sweet Creations, visit the firm’s website at NubbysCreations, or call 260-437-7115.