It’s been one of the busiest times of the year for Karin Maddison, and her husband Drew, as the Easter Bunny travelled around Australia carrying some of the delectable treats from Melbourne’s Ministry of Chocolate. What started as a little home business more than 15 years ago, is now selling its extraordinary range across the globe – block by block.

How did Ministry of Chocolate start?

In 2008, we started making chocolate trues from home to sell at farmers markets around Melbourne. In 2012, when our kids were a height they could steal chocolates off the kitchen bench, we realised we needed to change things up! So, we upscaled the business into a small kitchen in Malvern, Victoria, with a retail shopfront. We made chocolates for both retail sale and wholesale supply.

How has the business grown over time?

A lot of diligence and consistency, as well as not being afraid to change. We keep company with likeminded ethical operators, which in turn  attracts more of the same referrals. This builds our reputation and potential for future business relationships.

What has been the key to have your business go global?

Being located in the food-bowl of Victoria has allowed us access to some of the most amazing producers in the state, we love to use fresh regional Australian produce in our products. Also having the next generation and our energetic team bringing new and exciting ideas to the table, I’m always looking for inspiration for the next product.

What are the biggest challenges facing a business like yours?

Unstable costs have been the biggest challenge to our business in recent years. All aspects of manufacturing have increased – overheads, transport, packaging and ingredients, to name a few. The biggest challenge at the moment is the surge in pricing of cocoa, largely due to environmental instability that has aected recent cacao crops, limiting the yield. That makes life very tough for chocolate makers!

What’s your piece of advice to other businesses when they face hurdles or challenges? We all face them!!

Don’t shy away from what needs to be done to keep moving forward. Change is natural and an absolute necessity in business in order to stay relevant.

What are the best sellers for you?

Our honeycomb products outsell everything else 6 to 1! Definitely the honeycomb.  We use honey from on-site beehives to make our honeycomb.

What’s the long-term plan for the business?

Our plan is to continue to be an industry leading chocolate manufacturer  in Melbourne. We have core values that we have always stuck by – using local produce and ingredients wherever possible, and supporting other local manufacturers. These core principles have helped us withstand the test of time and will continue to do so. Go Aussie made!