Winner of Hustle Hub

Tradition Meets Innovation: Silvia’s Chocolate Journey

At Portobello Business Centre, one of our biggest priorities is helping ambitious entrepreneurs take their next step forward. Through the Ready Set Grow programme, we’ve had the privilege of meeting some truly inspiring business owners who are transforming their ideas into sustainable success stories.

This year, with the support of Hill Group UK, we created a £5,000 grant fund to help Hustle Hub winners bring their visions to life. The competition was strong, but five entrepreneurs stood out each with clear goals, authentic stories and a drive to scale their businesses.

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on one of those winners: Silvia, founder of May I Hot Chocolate.

Silvia’s Pitch: Chocolate with Heritage

From the very beginning, Silvia’s passion for chocolate with heritage captured the judges’ attention. Drawing on the traditions of Slovakian-style chocolate making, her brand combines authenticity, distinctiveness and sustainability. When the judges sampled her chocolate, there was no doubt about its quality it was as delicious as the story behind it.

What impressed the panel most was Silvia’s vision: bringing a unique, culturally rooted product to the UK market while ensuring that every step of her business reflects integrity, sustainability, and craftsmanship.

About the Ready Set Grow Award

From our £5,000 Ready Set Grow grant pot, Silvia has been awarded:

• £800 towards organic certification – giving her the tools to meet the highest standards of sustainability and purity, while enabling her to confidently market her product as organic. 🌱

  
  

Reflecting on the award, Silvia shared:

“Achieving organic certification will mean so much for my business. It not only reinforces the quality of my product but also helps me connect with the right audience who value sustainability and authenticity. This support is giving me the opportunity to grow with confidence.”

Why It Matters

Silvia’s journey shows how innovation can grow from tradition. With the right support, a personal passion in this case, a heritage approach to chocolate making can evolve into a product that both delights and inspires. Her award represents more than just funding; it’s an investment in a brand that connects culture, sustainability, and flavour. For our local business community, Silvia’s story is a reminder that meaningful entrepreneurship often begins with authenticity and care for both product and people.

Looking Ahead

With organic certification underway, Silvia is well placed to grow her brand in a way that speaks to conscious consumers. We’re excited to see how her story develops and how her chocolate finds its place in the UK market. A big thank you to Hill Group UK for their generous support of Hustle Hub and our Ready Set Grow programme.