“All the other stuff”

Talk about a delayed post! I started this blog entry back in September of 2011. It’s been languishing in my drafts folder ever since (along with many others, although this is the oldest). 🙂 -ben

I recently had a short conversation Twitter that got me thinking and that I thought I’d share with you. I think it’s an interesting glimpse into the world of small chocolate makers that many people may not have thought of.

madrechocolate: No one told me when I signed up to be a chocolatero that I had to be a mechanic, electrician & A/C repair man too! yfrog.com/h0wuysej

PotomacChoco: @madrechocolate: Ha! I’ve found the same thing.

beantobrand: @madrechocolate @PotomacChoco LOL I was just informing someone yesterday on how much non-chocolate work is involved in chocolate-making!

PotomacChoco: @beantobrand @madrechocolate No kidding! I’d estimate 50% of my time is on all the other stuff.

For me, the ‘other stuff’ includes everything Madre mentions and a lot more (as I’m sure it does for them, too): engineer/tinker (to MacGuyver the machines), designer, custodian, accountant, salesman, shipper, delivery man, and on and on. Some of it I very much enjoy–some of it…not so much. But, all of that stuff enables me do the part I love: making great chocolate!

-Ben

p.s. I’d guess this to be the case with most small businesses.