Dreaming in chocolate: Carol Montgomery traded in her forklift for an apron to be in business.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: North Bay; Nutty Chocolatier

Carol Montgomery opened the doors on a new store and a new life as owner of North Bay's Nutty Chocolatier.

Going from driving a forklift loading trucks at a southern Ontario auto parts plant to learning the culinary intricacies of decorating chocolates has been an easy and satisfying transition, says the first-time business owner.

Learning the nuances of bookkeeping and the other challenges of running a business have "all come very easily," says Montgomery, a mother of three grown children and a newcomer to the Gateway City.

The store is modeled after the franchise company's six other outlets across Ontario, fashioned as a Victorian-style candy store complete with mirrors, shiny fixtures and shelves stocked with a multitude of candy, chocolate, ice cream and yogurt.

The wide assortment of chocolates and truffles are all handmade, fresh with Belgian chocolate and are delivered fresh every week from the company's kitchen and distribution centre in Port Perry.

A native of Little Britain (near Lindsay), Montgomery got into business after losing her job as a material-handling supervisor for Tarxien, an auto parts maker for General Motors in Ajax, when the plant closed its doors a few years ago.

Montgomery stayed home for two and half years reflecting on what to do with her life.

"I was 46 years old and had worked at that plant for 27 years. It was a life-changing experience."

With aspirations to run her own business, she answered a newspaper ad for interested franchisees for a chocolate maker and figured it might be an interesting opportunity.

"I've always wanted...