The sweet taste of success in business is the goal of a Bermuda entrepreneur.

For Sarah Burrows has opened up a Dockyard shop selling hand-made fudge with a distinct Bermuda flavour.

And the Bermuda Fudge Company has already proved a hit with tourists and locals, attracted by flavours like mango and lime and chocolate mint.

Ms Burrows said opening her own business in the Clocktower Mall in Dockyard had been on her “bucket list” for years.

And — after careful research of the market — she opted for a store selling locally produced fudge which can be customised with up to 200 different tastes.

Ms Burrows, who has worked in healthcare and still runs a weight loss clinic, said: “I have a passion for Dockyard and I wanted to open up a shop out here.”

And she added that research showed that fudge was a popular sweet on the east of the US — and with 340,000 cruise ship passengers a year arriving at Dockyard, she reckoned she was on to a winner.

Ms Burrows said: “I was looking for a product made in Bermuda, that I could sell under a $30 price range and was hand made.”

But she added: “There is a local market too — people who want to buy a gift that’s made in Bermuda, but a bit different.”

Ms Burrows said that she saw a bright future for the Dockyard area and that, despite the recession, it was a good time to realise her dream.

She explained: “You could say opening up a business now is an insane move — but it’s also a time when you can get good locations. It’s like shopping at a sale. You get to pick your location and get a good deal.

“And I believe Bermuda will get better — it’s on the right track. I have total faith in Bermuda. I got a location basically when the sale was on.”

She added: “I have confidence in the chairman of Wedco, Ray Charlton. Dockyard has so many amazing things coming on line. In five or ten years, this place will be incredible.

“I’m very excited — there is a lot of potential here. It’s such a beautiful place. And economies have cycles. We will come out of this and we’re going to be fine.”

Ms Burrows said that an official opening ceremony would take place this weekend, with Governor George Fergusson, Premier Michael Dunkley and Education and Economic Development Minister Grant Gibbons all expected to attend.

She admitted: “I sent the Governor an invitation with a block of fudge. I didn’t expect him to say yes. I was very humbled and very pleased he said yes.”

Ms Burrows said two basic fudges — chocolate and vanilla — could be transformed with a wide range of flavours.

She added the weekend opening, scheduled for Saturday, would see taste testing of a Christmas-themed range of fudges, including egg nog, pumpkin pie and gingerbread.

The official opening ceremony, for invited guests, is between noon and 2pm, with free samples on offer between 2pm and 6pm.