Coastal Chocolates

www.coastalchocolates.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

Coastal Chocolates is an online gift store specialising in handmade chocolate gifts, perfect for every special occasion. Designed with the chocoholic or sweet tooth in mind, our gourmet Chocolate Bark makes a great gift for young, old, him or her.

2. When and why did you start your business?

Coastal Chocolates was launched April 09. Not content with the boring and dull range of store bought chocolate blocks available, Coastal Chocolates was started with the intent of making chocolate gifts more exciting and something to be proud of.

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with of your business?

Coastal Chocolates was listed in the Herald Sun\'s Top 10 Chocolate Easter Eggs for 2010 and we also received a nomination for the Telstra Business Awards.

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Finding the time to grow my business, market my business, take care of the business and do all of this with two toddlers and a very patient husband.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

Social media. And competitions. People love free chocolate!

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

Flyer drops in gift bags don't tend to bring any results.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

It's easy to sell. Everyone loves chocolate.

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

Mainly other women and mums since I can truly appreciate the time, effort and energy growing a successful business can take especially when you have children.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

An expanded product line, more chocolate gifts. And the dream of opening a chocolate cafe/shop with all things chocolate and delicious.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

Keep going! And tell all your friends about your business. I have had an overwhelming load of support from my friends who have referred their friends and have become my own friends. And concentrate on always giving above average customer service since that's what people really remember. Be friendly, smile and treat people how you would want to be treated.

Visit us at: www.coastalchocolates.com.au