So you're an artisan chocolatier...the ultimate dream job. You hand-craft amazing, colorful, spectacular truffles, bon bons & confections with organic, fair-trade chocolate and the highest quality ingredients. But can you actually make any money doing it?
This podcast, by chocolatier Konstantin J. Zsigo, explores the complexities and realities of succeeding in the gourmet chocolate industry, exploring business models, supply costs & sourcing, pricing, employees, shop ownership, online sales, and everything in between.
For newbies & veterans alike.
Host Konstantin Zsigo interviews Tim Gearhart of Gearharts Fine Chocolates about building a successful artisan chocolate business over 25 years.
2 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
S3 Ep3 The Economics of Selling Chocolate Online
Host Konny of Masters of Confection breaks down the economics of selling artisan chocolate online, revealing shipping costs and profit calculations.
25 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
S3 Ep2 Exhaustion
Konstantin Zsigo, a professional chocolatier, shares insights on managing exhaustion in the demanding artisan chocolate industry.
26 Apr 2026
S3 Ep1 Welcome Back!
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 Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
Online Storefront: KonstantinZsigo.com
1 Nov 2022
S2 Ep2 The Big Freeze
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 Konny@Zsigo.net
Questions & Comments: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
Theme Music by Phil Denny: https://PhilDenny.com
12 May 2022
S2 Ep1 Did you make $100,000 last year?
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: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
Theme Music by Phil Denny: https://PhilDenny.com
Production by Chris Sweeley: https://Chris-Sweeley.squarespace.com
13 Dec 2021
S1 Ep7 The Road to 500,000 Truffles - The Chocolate Lab
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
https://www.chocolatelab.ca/
@the_chocolatelab
@DallyWonka
Podcast Mentions
Clay Gordon: https://thechocolatelife.com/
Kriss Harvey: @KrissHARV3Y
Christopher Elbow: https://www.elbowchocolates.com/
To donate a few dollars to the podcast, visit https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo
Questions & Comments: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com @KonstantinZsigo
Theme Music by Phil Denny: https://PhilDenny.com
Production by Chris Sweeley: https://Chris-Sweeley.squarespace.com
30 Sept 2021
S1 Ep6 All about Packaging
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: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
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
18 Jun 2021
S1 Ep5 Should I buy an enrober or throw mine out the window?
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: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
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
3 May 2021
S1 Ep4 Bonus Material - Online Storefront Economics
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: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
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
3 May 2021
S1 Ep4 How to sell chocolates online
In this episode I consider the various options for selling chocolates online. I'll explain what resources you need to dedicate to a digital storefront and what steps are involved in processing an online order.
Questions & comments: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
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
11 Apr 2021
S1 Ep3 How much money can you earn as an artisan chocolatier?
In this episode I address the burning question, and the elephant in the room...Can you make ANY money doing this? And if so, how hard do you need to work for it? I'll take you through 2 examples with numbers and analysis so you understand the framework and apply it to your own business.
Email me to get a copy of the spreadsheet I used to make this analysis, but please don't share it on the Internet.
Questions & comments: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
Show site at: https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo
Theme Music: https://PhilDenny.com
24 Mar 2021
S1 Ep2 How to make more of your time
In this episode we discuss time, your most precious asset -- how you spend it, how to make more / buy more / get more efficient in production, etc.
Questions & comments: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
Show site at: https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo
Theme Music: https://PhilDenny.com
12 Mar 2021
S1 Ep1 Welcome and Introduction
In this first episode, Konstantin outlines some of the challenges of owning an artisan chocolate business and the various topics that will be addressed in the podcast. He also gives his background and story and invites you reach out and make contact.
Konstantin has been a chocolatier for over 10 years and owns a retail shop in Bath, Michigan, USA. See it at ParkLakeCreamery.com
To contact Konstantin J. Zsigo, Chocolatier, Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
To directly support the podcast, visit https://anchor.fm/konstantin-zsigo
Theme Music, Brio Bounce by https://PhilDenny.com
10 Mar 2021
Trailer
A brief description of The Business of Artisan Chocolate podcast.
Questions & Comments: Konny@MastersOfConfection.com
Inside a recent episode
S3 Ep4 - Gearharts Chocolate Interview
Published 7 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And so but, you know, just again, slope. you know, doing it slowly, not, you know, going organic kind of growth, understanding, you know, having a clear vision of like, okay, finding some wholesale, you know, our first wholesale accounts, you know, we're a big step for a business because you're very much letting go of the baby in the sense of how are they going to handle your product that you've worked so hard on. So I think it's been very gradual steps. I think having lots of these several arms of the business is very important. I think you can create a wonderful life for yourself and do some amazing chocolatiering and by just having a little retail shop and doing your thing and not doing anything else. […]
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