Sweet Dream Ambitious Young Couple Dives Into New Business Selling Chocolate In Mall

As students, Kellie and Rob Lentz sold candy bars in the Central Valley High School store.

That was 10 years ago. Today they’re selling blossoms and bon bons in a store of their own at the Spokane Valley Mall.

The Valley couple own Aphrodite’s Flowers and Gourmet Gifts, an epicurean venture in the new mall.

For the past two years, they’ve been planning and working to turn their dream of owning a business into sweet success.

“It wasn’t easy,” says Kellie, 28. “We had to pound the pavement, and pitch the idea to the mall committee and the banks.”

First they did some homework. They approached the Small Business Administration and developed a business plan. The SBA granted them a hefty loan, and the Lentzes injected several thousand dollars of their own to start the store.

They also had to court mall officials. But that wasn’t too hard for the young entrepreneurs.

“They were impressed with our professionalism,” says Kellie, wearing a black business suit.

Mall officials had so much confidence in Kellie and Rob that they spent $40,000 “building out” the store front and inner portions of the shop.

“We’re betting that they will have a good chance of success,” said Dave Fairbourn, a leasing director for J.P. Realty, the mall’s developer. “If someone comes along and shows promise, and they’re hard workers, then we get excited about it and help them out as much as we can.”

The Lentzes’ extensive preparation and experience sold Collier Reed, another leasing director at J.P. Realty, on their dream.

“They came to us with a very thought-out business plan and a conception that would work, and we went with it,” said Reed. “They understand what they need to do to be successful.”

Aphrodite’s is one of 20 locally owned businesses in the new mall, said Rex Frazier, president of J.P. Realty.

The Lentzes came up with the shop’s name two years ago while on a honeymoon cruise of Greece. Not all has been smooth sailing for the budding business owners.

The United Parcel Service strike slowed delivery of chocolates and candy cases. Many damaged boxes arrived at the last minute.

Construction delays have also been nerve wracking, the Lentzes said. Workers still need to install a tile floor in the shop, so the store will have to open without a finished floor.

Aphrodite’s is the only store in Spokane that features Godiva chocolates. Godiva is one of the country’s premiere chocolatiers, and their truffles are carried in upscale malls like the San Francisco Center and Bellevue Square.

Aphrodite’s also sells flowers and gourmet gift baskets. The Lentzes have also applied for a liquor license, and are talking with Latah Creek winery about selling that brand of vino in the shop.

The Lentzes have already hired five part- and full-time employees for the 900-square-foot store, located on the main level of the mall.

Kellie will be one of those employees, but isn’t planning to take a salary for at least two years.

“We know it’s a lot of hard work,” she says. “We’re really not into this business to get rich.”

Since the business is in its infancy, Rob will continue to work at General Electric to provide income for the couple.

For the Lentzes, watching their store come together is a life goal realized.

Kellie has wanted her own business since she was a student at Central Valley High. But she worked as a cosmotologist for 10 years until her desire to be her own boss finally consumed her.

“I was tired of doing cosmetology,” says Kellie. “I loved working with flowers and with the public, and I knew we could offer them something different and unique.”

Rob wanted to start a business too, but admits he’s had some doubts along the way.

“With any big venture, there’s a fear of failure.”

For now, they’re putting another big venture - a family - on hold. Instead of having children right away, they want to raise a business.

They hope that the new venture will provide more freedom than a 9-to-5 job.

“At some businesses and companies, your family takes a back seat,” says Rob. “Being your own boss puts your family first.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo