Brains Behind It- Andrew Chmielewski- Dave’s Sweet Tooth
ABOUT ANDREW CHMIELEWSKI:
Andrew Chmielewski knew he didn’t so much want a business degree
as he wanted a business. And the perfect product was waiting for him
in his father’s kitchen. Andrew’s father (and his product’s namesake,
Dave) is a retired Detroit fi refi ghter known at the station for his
homemade toff ee. It was such a hit that friends and family who had
received the toff ee as gift s started placing orders.
With an initial investment of $10,000 in 2010, Andrew launched
Dave’s Sweet Tooth, making the toff ee in his dad’s kitchen and selling
the product at local craft shows. Dave’s Sweet Tooth has grown to a
5,000-square-foot manufacturing facility now in Harrison Township
and sales in more than 5,000 stores including, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls
and HomeGoods stores nationwide. In addition, the company most
recently inked a deal with Kroger, along with local favorites such as
Whole Foods Market, Busch’s Fresh Food Market and Fresh Th yme
Market. Th e toff ee business employs 18 and is projected to surpass
$500,000 in 2016.
If that’s not rewarding enough, Andrew was also a Crain’s “20
in their 20’s” winner for 2016, named on Forbes list of 30 under 30 and after a May 5th TV
appearance on “Good Morning America” resulted in 3,200
orders and more than $120,000 in revenue in one day.
Andrew Chmielewski knew he didn’t so much want a business degree