Heidi Williams was looking for a business that would enable her to combine her design talents with a flexible schedule that would allow her to spend time with her school-age children.

She seems to have found it in Candy Bouquet , which look like floral designs but turn out to contain everyone?s secret temptation ? chocolate.

Ms Williams said she and her husband Kirk were looking for an exciting business opportunity and wanted to introduce something new to the Island where consumers have a love for novelty.

Truffles, fudge, chocolate roses, rocking horses, angels, snowmen, chocolate money, gourmet candy, gift baskets, balloons, cherub bases and other accessories are among the items Candy Bouquet can offer customers.

The company also has a wide variety of bouquet selections with titles such as Thanks A Million, Get Well Soon, Sweet Day On The Golf Course, Wishing You Sunshine, Classic Roses and Box Full Of Smiles.

?Candy Bouquet seemed the perfect fit our dreams. It allowed Heidi to express her creative talents reflected in her passion for flowers and design as a fashion and merchandise graduate of Fisher College, Boston,? Mr. Williams said.

Candy Bouquet International Inc. is among America?s top 44 global retail franchises as rated by Entrepreneur International Magazine.

Mrs. Williams said she was attracted to the idea because the arrangements were an alternative to flowers that will not fade, wilt or die.

?People love gourmet chocolate and candy and people love to get flowers and to get that all in one is unique,? she said.

?Each bouquet we design comes in a creative theme container full of hand-wrapped candies and chocolates from around the world.

?We use unique accessories and colourful cellophane accents to create one of a kind gifts.?

Every bouquet is created by hand and Candy Bouquet carries several brands of gourmet candies and chocolates and for the health conscience consumer sugar free bouquets are available.

The company can also customise arrangements for clients and make anything appearing on www.candybouquet.com.

The business opened in November and is based in their Somerset home enabling Ms Williams to spend quality time with her two-year-old son Isaiah and seven-year-old daughter Alyiah and continue working at Southampton Glebe Primary School After School Programme.

To start Candy Bouquet in Bermuda, Ms Williams and her mother Deborah attended a training course in October in Little Rock, Arkansas where Candy Bouquet International is based.

?We were for there for a week learning how to making candy bouquets and we learned so many ways to be creative and the various uses for containers.?

For information on Candy Bouquet call Heidi Williams at 236-4025.