Small business: Get a taste of Iva Jean’s Fudge

Debbie Hanks, 60, is mother to three and grandma to six, but to her fans, she is “The Fudge Lady.” Hanks has owned Iva Jean’s Fudge for just one year and has made her mark on Charlotte with her gourmet fudge flavors: apple pie, cappuccino and brown sugar bourbon.

Hanks’ fudge is made with organic sugar and local butter, eggs and milk. She makes her own evaporated milk and marshmallow whip and researches local sources once she decides on a new flavor.

Iva Jean’s Fudge is available in two sizes: 8-10 oz. tins for $15 or 2oz. slices for $4. They are available at NoDa’s Farmer’s Market, 7th Street Market one Sunday a month, Provision Local Market in Waxhaw and Paper Skyscraper. Tins may be purchased online or at pop ups throughout the year. Check the website for updated information.

Hanks talked to me about her business:

(1) What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture? How did the idea for your business come about?

“It was my mother, her name was Iva Jean. She passed away from breast cancer 21 years ago. When I was little, she made fudge for as long as I can remember. It was always a holiday treat for us. Now it is a sweet way to honor her.

“I have been making fudge for family and friends for a long time. This last year, my daughter said, ‘Let’s come up with an idea for something we should do at local markets.’ I was ready for a change in my job. I had worked in the health care field for many years, and I decided, ‘Let’s go for it’.

“We put our heads together and came up with Iva Jean’s Fudge and used my mother’s basic recipe. We were able to expand on flavors and up-to-date ingredients. We have had a lot of fun doing it.”

(2) How can you achieve long-term success in business?

“I have been learning as I go. If you have a high quality product and people taste it or buy it, they are going to come back for it. I make small batch fudge so it is one batch at a time and I want to keep that concept because I think I have more control over what ingredients I use and how it turns out.”

(3) When did you have a satisfying moment in business?

“I went to see my doctor for my check-up visit. She burst into the door and said, ‘I’ve had your fudge.’ I thought that was really cool that someone I adore liked it. She had received it as a gift.”

(4) What three pieces of advice would you give to people who want to become entrepreneurs?

“You have to be pretty organized and be a multi-tasker. Get your face behind the product. It takes a village – my family is always willing to help me and give me great ideas. Always be willing to accept feedback. Positive or negative.”

(5) What have you learned from the younger generations?

“When I went to a farmer’s market in my day, it was more like a flea market. I have learned to appreciate the gourmet products and things that you can find at farmer’s market that are made locally.”

Family history and my own fascination with people and their motivations prompted me to begin this series about Charlotte’s small business owners. Industry, situation and questions will vary. Have a suggestion for a small business owner or entrepreneur to interview? Email it to vanessainfanzon@gmail.com with the subject line “Small Business Series.”

Photos: Iva Jean’s Fudge

This story was originally published September 14, 2016 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Small business: Get a taste of Iva Jean’s Fudge."