The Business of Artisan Chocolate

In this episode I interview Tim Gearhart, of Gearharts Fine Chocolates in Charlottesville, VA (also in nearby Richmond). Gearharts has the distinct honor of being named the Best Chocolate Shop in the United States by USA Today. They got this recognition in 2026.

But even more importantly, this marks the 25th year that Gearharts has been in business. That's a milestone worth celebrating. So I had plenty of questions for Tim about how he's been able to succeed over such a long stretch of time and what advice he'd give chocolatiers and shops looking to grow and prosper as he has.

Your Host:

Konstantin Zsigo | Chocolatier (celebrating a mere 10 years)

KonstantinZsigo.com

Industry contacts: [email protected]

On Instagram as @ProChocolatier as my industry account

Our Guest:

Tim Gearhart, Gearharts Fine Chocolates

gearhartschocolates.com

If you're interested in doing a deep dive on YOUR operation on the air, feel free to contact me.

I do not provide paid consulting or training for chocolatiers. As a master chocolatier, you're supposed to give back to the community, this is how I do that. I won't take money.

In this episode I will take you through the jaw-dropping economics of selling chocolates online. How much does it really cost to ship a single box of chocolates? How should calculate whether you're making or losing money on each transaction.

I will take you through the methodology to understanding the economics of this channel of distribution.

If you have questions that you'd like me to address "on-air" or confidentially, just email me at [email protected]

If you'd like to be a guest on the show, we can talk through your business and I can provide tips & advice, reach out.

In this episode we tackle the very real threat of Exhaustion as a professional chocolatier, as the profession is extremely demanding physically, mentally, emotionally and creatively. I walk through sources of fatigue and provide some advice for managing it.

Email me at [email protected]

If you'd like to be a guest on the show and/or talk through chocolate business & its challenges, let me know and we'll set up a Zoom call and we can record it.

My retail website for chocolate is KonstantinZsigo.com

The podcast is back in the face of industry shakeup from a major artisan chocolatier closing shop and the renewed sense urgency to help others get profitable!

My name is Konstantin Zsigo, I'm a professional chocolatier with a shop in Michigan. I've been making chocolates for a living since 2016 and as a hobby in 2010. I have a lot of insights to share.

Follow my new Instagram account dedicated to this podcast and interactions with fellow chocolatiers, tips, advice, resources, etc. @ProChocolatier

Email me at [email protected]

Online Storefront: KonstantinZsigo.com

In this episode I'll talk you though freezing chocolates and purchasing a large walk-in freezer unit.  This includes the economics, the sizing and some of the ways that it will impact your production.

To donate a few dollars to the podcast, visit https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo or use PayPal to [email protected]

Questions & Comments:  [email protected]

Theme Music by Phil Denny: https://PhilDenny.com

In this episode we look at my formula for earning $100,000 in net take-home pay.  I'll show you how I did it in 2021, how I adjusted my strategy from previous years, and exactly how it impacted the bottom line.  I will also line out the various business stages that most typical chocolatiers work through over a multi-year time horizon and what's happening financially at each stage.

To donate a few dollars to the podcast, visit https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo

Questions & Comments:  [email protected]

Theme Music by Phil Denny: https://PhilDenny.com

Production by Chris Sweeley: https://Chris-Sweeley.squarespace.com

This episode is a phone conversation between myself and Dallas Southcott, the owner & chocolatier of the The Chocolate Lab in Calgary, Canada.  We talk about the rapid growth of The Chocolate Lab to a production volume of over 500,000 truffles annually.  We'll also go through their strategic pivot during COVID and how their investments are paying off for them.

So pull up a chair and listen in! Feel free to reach out to Dallas or myself with questions or comments.

The Chocolate Lab

Podcast Mentions

To donate a few dollars to the podcast, visit https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo

Questions & Comments:  [email protected]  @KonstantinZsigo

Theme Music by Phil Denny: https://PhilDenny.com

Production by Chris Sweeley: https://Chris-Sweeley.squarespace.com

In this episode we'll do deep dive into the intricacies of product packaging -- not only the types of packaging but also the trade-offs and financial ramifications of competing packaging tactics.  We'll talk through just-in-time packaging vs retail packaging, packaging for shipping, packaging for pop-ups and the nuances of each along the challenges you'll eventually face.  I'll also try to give you some practical advice.

As ever, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or Email if you want to expand on the conversation. I'm here for you.

Questions & comments:  [email protected]

Show site at:  https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo

Theme Music by Phil Denny: https://PhilDenny.com

Production by Chris Sweeley: https://Chris-Sweeley.squarespace.com

In this episode I'll walk you through the pros & cons of owning an enrober, the economics of enrobing vs shelling, and give you some of the real world issues that you might face drawing upon my own personal experience.

This is a special episode because it contains a companion YouTube video where I show you my enrober in great detail.

https://youtu.be/T6B7VY8-_Vo

or search Konstantin Zsigo on YouTube

Special thanks to Brian Donaghy of Tomric Systems, tomric.com - for showing me the Selmi enrober via Zoom.

Questions & comments:  [email protected]

Show site at:  https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo

Theme Music by Phil Denny: https://PhilDenny.com

Production by Chris Sweeley: https://Chris-Sweeley.squarespace.com

This is the bonus material for Episode 4, How to sell chocolates online.  In this short section I walk through two different orders to illustrate the profitability of an online order.  I also consider a "free shipping" policy, if you're interested in offering that to customers.

Questions & comments:  [email protected]

Show site at:  https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo

Show production: Chris Sweeley at https://Chris-Sweeley.squarespace.com

Theme Music: Phil Denny at https://PhilDenny.com