Fondarific/Candy Craft Creations of Savannah has been named the Georgia Small Business Exporter of the Year 2013, The U.S. Small Business Administration, Georgia District Office has announced.
“Being named the exporter of the year exemplifies Laura Darnall and Lois Judy of Fondarific and their business acumen, hard work and innovative ideas,” said Terri Denision, the agency’s district director.
Darnall and Judy, a pair of self-described soccer moms who parlayed an edible preschool art project into an international business, earlier were named the Georgia Small Business Person(s) of the Year in 2012.
Darnall, a former teacher at Southwest Elementary, and Judy, a former registered nurse at Candler Hospital, met on the sidelines of their daughters’ soccer games six years ago and became fast friends.
When Darnall brought a sample of the Candy Clay Dough she had developed for her students’ art projects to one of the soccer parties, Judy urged her to expand and market her creation.
Working together, with Darnall creating the product and Judy handling the business end, Fondarific — a line of moldable icings for decorating cakes and other confections — was launched in 2008 in a small utility building in Darnall’s backyard.
Within a month, the product won the confections category at the Flavor of Georgia Contest in Atlanta.
Since then, the company has grown exponentially, as Fondarific’s reputation spread among professional bakers. Last summer, the company purchased and renovated a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility off Chatham Parkway.
Today, with the help of 28 full-time employees, the multimillion-dollar company ships its flavored fondant across the country and around the world.
The enhanced flavor, moldable qualities and ease of use compared to other fondants on the market have made Fondarific a standout, earning it endorsements from some of the country’s top chef and cake artists, Judy said.