Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maud Gaudreau, founder of Etat de choc, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

A chocolate factory where you will find the best chocolate in the world. We create our own recipes made from bean-to-bar chocolate from Quebec and Canadian manufacturers. We also offer bars of more than thirty bean-to-bar brands from around the world. Our clientele is varied, ranging from people who love chocolate but are new to bean-to-bar to connoisseurs who want certain brands or certain types of chocolate that are hard to find. People looking for gifts (individual and corporate).

Tell us about yourself

After working in managing a chocolate factory for 3 months, I realized that there was no chocolate maker in Quebec who used bean-to-bar chocolate for recipes. There was not a place dedicated solely to cocoa in Montreal with a large selection of tablets. Some of the best chocolate in the world is made here, and we didn't know that, so I decided to go for it and change all that. I eat chocolate every day, and I sell a product that makes people happy, so it's hard not to like it. In addition, I enjoy creating new products, packaging design, and collaborations with other companies. This company is, therefore, the ideal place for all that.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We are still here after 3 years! In the beginning, many people didn't believe there was a market for a store that sells $13 tablets and nothing else. We won several medals at the International chocolate awards. We are now recognized for having one of the country's largest selections of bean-to-bar chocolate.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

We don't have a break; we are responsible for everything. It's very rare that everything goes well at the same time on the financial side, employees, supply, equipment, stock-outs, customer service. It never stops.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Choose an area that you like and that will make you proud to talk about it at dinner for more than 2 hours. If you're not proud or don't like what you're offering, you're going into business for the wrong reasons. Surround yourself with the best and trust them. We are recognized for the quality of our chocolates and our brand!! Choose the best employees.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Be kind to your employees, customers, and suppliers. Always be kind.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.etatdechoc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etatdechocmtl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etatdechocmtl/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/etat-de-choc/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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