What do Valentine's Day and successful businesses have in common? More than you might think because for a number of established brands, especially those in the gifting arena, such as Jo Malone, Kate Spade and Guylian Chocolates, love was the special ingredient as they were all founded by a couple.

In the case of Guylian Chocolates, passionate Belgian chocolatier Guy Foubert and artist, Lilianne married in 1958 and soon after immortalised their passion for life's sweetest pleasures, love and chocolate by joining their names to one: Guy-lian. Probably the world's first portmanteau word for couples!

Audrey Wiggin, Business Coach, is not surprised by this gifting business founded by a couple trend: "The trust you have in your romantic partner as your fellow director is greater than you are likely to have with any other business partner in your life. It can be stimulating to share the joys of accomplishment together. And as a business professional, you're apt to learn more and faster, and to see different perspectives, because you're able to be so vulnerable with each other. Also, couples working together have to go the extra mile in their communication with each other given the intensity of their relationship.

“It is also no surprise that romantic couples found brands that become synonymous with gifting. Solving the challenge of gifting something that will be well received is one that is appreciated by couples the world over."

Whether or not you have ambitions of running a business with your other half, couples everywhere can celebrate romance on February 14th with a gift born from the love of Guylian Chocolates founders, Guy and Lilianne.

These Guylian Praline Hearts in their eye-catching red boxes of romantic Belgian chocolate hearts, are marbled and filled with delicious roasted hazelnut praline. The 42g box (RSP £1), which contains four praline filled hearts, is the ideal love token, whilst the 105g heart shaped box (RSP £4) makes an even more impressive Valentine's Day gift.

Or you could treat your other half with Guylian Praline Sea Shells – the first product Guy and Lilianne created together. Made using only the finest, hand selected Mediterranean hazelnuts, which are roasted and caramelised to perfection before being blended with premium Belgian chocolate, Guylian's famous Sea Shell chocolates are always a delight, and are sure to make life sweet for your loved one. Available in a 250g box (22 pieces; RSP £5), or for an even more decadent gift, a 375g box (33 pieces; RSP £7.50).

Guylian's Valentine's Day chocolates are available from selected supermarkets, high street retailers nationwide and via Guylian's web shop www.guylian.com.

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Notes to Editors

About Guylian

Guylian, founded in 1960 is the market leader in boxed chocolates in Belgium. With a team of 250 employees, Guylian produces a wide range of Belgian chocolates in a state-of-the-art factory in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium whilst still respecting its traditional chocolate-making heritage.

Guylian exports to more than 100 countries across Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, where Guylian products are available in major supermarkets, department stores, chocolate specialty stores, travel retail and duty-free shops.

Throughout the world, Guylian is synonymous with high quality Belgian chocolate. A unique blend of West-African cocoa beans forms the basis of its premium Belgian chocolate, made with 100% cocoa butter. 

The Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells are Guylian's star product. The hazelnut praliné filling is still produced according the unique recipe in the age-old traditional manner, a heritage of the company's founding father Guy. The secret method of roasting and caramelizing hazelnuts gives Guylian chocolates their signature taste. Guylian Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells are the number one Belgian boxed chocolate brand distributed in travel retail and duty free shops.

For any more information see www.guylian.com.  

Guylian's commitment to the planet - sustainability:

Every time you buy Guylian's Belgian Chocolate Bars, you are supporting both Project Seahorse, which aims to save seahorses and our oceans, and Project Cocoa, which supports cocoa farmers. 

Project Cocoa

With Project Cocoa, Guylian has the ambition to use 100% sustainable cocoa by 2025.

Therefore, Guylian supports Project Cocoa, who improves the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities through the promotion of sustainable, entrepreneurial farming, improved productivity, and community development, which protect nature and children.

Project Seahorse (Since 1998, 20 years)

Since 1998, Guylian has been the major sponsor of Project Seahorse, an international marine conservation organization. Every time you buy Guylian chocolates you are supporting Project Seahorse, an international Marine Conservation Organization. They are dedicated to securing a world where marine ecosystems are healthy and well-managed, using seahorses as flagship species to generate action.

No usage of Palm oil

Leading palm oil free Belgian Chocolates brand Last year, Guylian announced its ambition to become the leading palm oil free Belgian Chocolates brand. Palm oil has been replaced with sustainable shea butter and sunflower oil, resulting in smoother textured and even better tasting chocolates which are better for the planet and healthier, with less saturated fat and less sugar.

Social Media

To keep up to date with Guylian news, competitions and offers on a daily basis find us on Instagam @Guylian_UK orhttp://www.facebook.com/GuylianChocolates.

About Audrey Wiggin

Audrey Wiggin Associates specialises in Executive Coaching for Senior Executives and Future Leaders. The founder, Audrey Wiggin, draws on her highly successful sixteen-year career in Investment Banking, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to supplement her professional coaching qualifications. Having read Physiology and Neuroscience at Oxford, she specialises in combining the science of the body and the brain with executive coaching techniques. She works with a team of associate coaches, bringing development and performance coaching to senior leaders across a broad range of industries. 

Contact: Jude Stupples

ROCHESTER PR GROUP 

Tel: 020 3948 4384

jude.stupples@rochesterprgroup.com