Cotton candy fairies
Two sisters have turned their love for a childhood treat into a successful business.
Michelline Nawatises
On a particularly day, sisters Nancy and Tupopila Pilatus were reminiscing about how they used to enjoy eating candy floss when they were young.
The two young ladies, who are currently studying accounting at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) wondered what happened to their habit of eating candy floss and why the product seemed to have become scarce.
They then decided to do some research to find out how candy floss is made from scratch.
They made their own, infused with a variety of uncommon flavours that are different from the usual pink and blue candy floss. Their product is also free from all the additives packed in store-bought floss sugar.
The name Flossi is derived from the word candy floss, as they were looking for a name that was catchy and would complement the product. Their product is freshly-spun gourmet candy floss.
It consists of plant-based, vegan-friendly, kosher-friendly and GMO-free ingredients. The ingredients they make use of are sugar, all-natural plant-based flavourants and colourants.
Flossi was initially registered in March 2019, but officially started with its operations in late June this year. The two sisters explain their target market is individuals of all ages, who would like the product for personal consumption, and party or event planners. They use this product to beautify events as well.
They said candy floss adds flare to an event’s dessert table and champagne glasses.
“Candy floss has that nostalgic effect. It brings back great childhood memories and it is a different treat to offer to your guests as a thank you gesture for their attendance,” they said. Approximately 20 containers can be made out of 500g of floss sugar.
Beautifying a certain event does not take long, as champagne glasses simply need to be topped off with candy floss. The time needed is thus dependent on the number of glasses. For customised party favours, Flossi pre-packages everything before they get to the venue.
Flossi is motivated by seeing the joyful expressions on the faces of customers when they consume the product and the nostalgic effect it has on them.
Prices
For individual consumption, there is a minimum order of three medium tubs at N$20 each and large tubs at N$30 each.
For customised party tubs, there is a minimum order of 10 at a standard N$20 each (the price may change according to design).
The founders said establishing Flossi is their major achievement.
Another was having an opportunity to work with event planner and dessert table creator Brown Sugar Parties.
“We have always admired Brown Sugar Parties for their eye for styling events.”
One of the challenges Flossi faced was marketing.
There are up to 10 flavours available which you can choose from. These include lemon, coconut, cookies ‘n cream, strawberry, mixed berry, mango, vanilla toffee, litchi, strawberry kiwi and watermelon. Candy floss has only one texture - fluffy and soft to the touch.
The Zone asked the ladies if they attended a training course to perfect their skills.
“All that we do or know about candy floss comes from research. The business side to it comes from attending a free business seminar that was offered at our place of fellowship, Life Changing Christian Church.”
The candy ladies want to transfer the knowledge they have to their peers, so that they can also become innovative young individuals.
They explained their views on the concept of ‘job creator’ versus ‘job seeker’. “Well, a job creator, from a student’s perspective, is taking the knowledge you have acquired from the lecture room and seeing how you can incorporate that knowledge with your interests and skillset and turn it into a business venture. As the business grows you employ employees.”
They said if one is not comfortable with opening a business fresh out of varsity, you should then seek a job in your field of study or interest and obtain all the experience and knowledge needed, and then later branch out and open up a business.
“Small businesses play a role in the economic growth of the country. If we, the youth, can encourage and support, support, support each other’s business ideas, there will be growth and opportunities for employment, which will help reduce the unemployment burden our country is facing.”
Facebook: Flossi-Candy floss
Instagram: Flossi_na
Unusual facts about cotton candy
Believe it or not, a dentist named Dr William Morrison invented the sugary treat in 1897.
A thread of cotton candy is thinner than a human hair.
Cotton candy comes in many different flavours, including bubble gum, banana, chocolate, vanilla, watermelon and maple syrup.
The longest cotton candy was created on July 2009 and measured 1 400 metres - about the same length as 13 football fields! It took six hours to make the gigantic treat.
On a particularly day, sisters Nancy and Tupopila Pilatus were reminiscing about how they used to enjoy eating candy floss when they were young.
The two young ladies, who are currently studying accounting at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) wondered what happened to their habit of eating candy floss and why the product seemed to have become scarce.
They then decided to do some research to find out how candy floss is made from scratch.
They made their own, infused with a variety of uncommon flavours that are different from the usual pink and blue candy floss. Their product is also free from all the additives packed in store-bought floss sugar.
The name Flossi is derived from the word candy floss, as they were looking for a name that was catchy and would complement the product. Their product is freshly-spun gourmet candy floss.
It consists of plant-based, vegan-friendly, kosher-friendly and GMO-free ingredients. The ingredients they make use of are sugar, all-natural plant-based flavourants and colourants.
Flossi was initially registered in March 2019, but officially started with its operations in late June this year. The two sisters explain their target market is individuals of all ages, who would like the product for personal consumption, and party or event planners. They use this product to beautify events as well.
They said candy floss adds flare to an event’s dessert table and champagne glasses.
“Candy floss has that nostalgic effect. It brings back great childhood memories and it is a different treat to offer to your guests as a thank you gesture for their attendance,” they said. Approximately 20 containers can be made out of 500g of floss sugar.
Beautifying a certain event does not take long, as champagne glasses simply need to be topped off with candy floss. The time needed is thus dependent on the number of glasses. For customised party favours, Flossi pre-packages everything before they get to the venue.
Flossi is motivated by seeing the joyful expressions on the faces of customers when they consume the product and the nostalgic effect it has on them.
Prices
For individual consumption, there is a minimum order of three medium tubs at N$20 each and large tubs at N$30 each.
For customised party tubs, there is a minimum order of 10 at a standard N$20 each (the price may change according to design).
The founders said establishing Flossi is their major achievement.
Another was having an opportunity to work with event planner and dessert table creator Brown Sugar Parties.
“We have always admired Brown Sugar Parties for their eye for styling events.”
One of the challenges Flossi faced was marketing.
There are up to 10 flavours available which you can choose from. These include lemon, coconut, cookies ‘n cream, strawberry, mixed berry, mango, vanilla toffee, litchi, strawberry kiwi and watermelon. Candy floss has only one texture - fluffy and soft to the touch.
The Zone asked the ladies if they attended a training course to perfect their skills.
“All that we do or know about candy floss comes from research. The business side to it comes from attending a free business seminar that was offered at our place of fellowship, Life Changing Christian Church.”
The candy ladies want to transfer the knowledge they have to their peers, so that they can also become innovative young individuals.
They explained their views on the concept of ‘job creator’ versus ‘job seeker’. “Well, a job creator, from a student’s perspective, is taking the knowledge you have acquired from the lecture room and seeing how you can incorporate that knowledge with your interests and skillset and turn it into a business venture. As the business grows you employ employees.”
They said if one is not comfortable with opening a business fresh out of varsity, you should then seek a job in your field of study or interest and obtain all the experience and knowledge needed, and then later branch out and open up a business.
“Small businesses play a role in the economic growth of the country. If we, the youth, can encourage and support, support, support each other’s business ideas, there will be growth and opportunities for employment, which will help reduce the unemployment burden our country is facing.”
Facebook: Flossi-Candy floss
Instagram: Flossi_na
Unusual facts about cotton candy
Believe it or not, a dentist named Dr William Morrison invented the sugary treat in 1897.
A thread of cotton candy is thinner than a human hair.
Cotton candy comes in many different flavours, including bubble gum, banana, chocolate, vanilla, watermelon and maple syrup.
The longest cotton candy was created on July 2009 and measured 1 400 metres - about the same length as 13 football fields! It took six hours to make the gigantic treat.
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