The Chocolate Storybook, founded in 1986, makes fine chocolates in the time-honored traditions and has a loyal following in Des Moines, Iowa. Some would say that would be enough. But, in 2013, owners Steve and Meg Shearer bought another company that made the wax-wrapped caramels that their customers loved. With this purchase came 20 commercial cotton candy machines.

Husbands and wives don’t always agree. Steve wanted to sell all the machines. Meg wanted to keep them. They compromised (as good married couples do) and kept 10. Meg spent the next 4 years developing classic as well as unique flavors, many of which are made with no artificial ingredients. The result? Over 50 gourmet flavors of cotton candy and thousands of new-found fans.