Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kate Mat, owner of Melt Confectionary, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Melt is a small batch confectionery based in Vancouver. Female LGBTQIA owned and operated. Melt has been a side hustle since 2019 and has been full-time from November of 2021. Locally focused, I source, produce, and sell within British Columbia without any intent to go beyond.
Plastic-free and 90% waste-free in production, I'm doing my best to reduce any negative impact which may result in what I've created. I could describe my chocolate creations as elevated nostalgia, with the aim of producing classic flavour profiles or playful and uncommon flavours made with simple, whole ingredients, locally sourced.
Tell us about yourself
I've been a chocolatier for ten years, trained under Thomas Haas, as well as a heavy influence in time at Rain or Shine Ice Cream, has mashed up a professional quality level of products & presentation within the chocolate with the fun, accessible and inventive elements of ice cream.
Creation is what currently drives me, making time to create and try out all the concepts that I have been thinking of all these years it took to start the business, what is motivating is the freedom for creativity & building something from nothing, creating which is the current phase I am in, recently taking Melt on full-time, it feels like a renewal of life in a complete sense and the investment in the company.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
End- goal level, yet the ultimate accomplishment will be a brick and mortar with the key on my ring; not there yet, but taking the step from side hustle to full-time focus has been the biggest accomplishment yet.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Initially, it was self-doubt and spreading myself too thin, saying yes to everything & as a result undervaluing my work. But now for me.... self-promotion and keeping up with social media. Not my skill set.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
This goes out to all the small starters like myself who may need to work every step of the way:
1.)Be prepared to be creator, delivery, packer, dishwasher, photographer, and everything in between.
2.) There is room for everyone, but do find your own voice and expression in what has influenced you.
3.) Don't dream it - be it! Don't let your fear of doing something with limited resources stop you. Or the time it may take to develop skills. Get started in small steps and improve on what you have, be it skills or equipment, connections or confidence.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Thank you for including me in your solo series. If anyone is a budding chocolatier or startup in Vancouver, DM me. I'm always happy to help when I can! Thanks again! -Kate @Meltconfectionary
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.melt-confections.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meltconfectionary/
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.