Inside Track: Working hard for the sweet taste of success

When Elaine and Malachy Dorris both lost their jobs in 2010, they put all of their energy into starting Lough Derg Chocolates.

What is special about your business?
We are passionate about making chocolate and use the freshest and finest ingredients – local where possible – to produce light-textured, incredibly creamy chocolates.

What sets your products apart in your sector?
Taste and creativity – our range of products is different to what's out there and includes luxurious Irish cream liqueur truffles, hand-made chocolate bars, chocolate fudge and chocolate lollipops for kids in various designs. Our packaging also sets us apart, as it's very clean, contemporary and colourful-looking.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Our biggest challenge has been juggling our business and raising three lively boys under the age of eight.
What has been your biggest success?
We won four awards in our first year in business, including the Tipperary North Network New Emerging Business for 2012. Our Orange Chocolate Bar and Lime Truffle won two Silver Awards at Blas na hÉireann and we also won the Bridgestone Award in 2012. Needless to say we were also very chuffed to be featured in John and Sally McKenna's Irish Food Guide.

What key piece of advice would you give to someone starting a food business?
Surround yourself with positive, like-minded people. And go to your local Enterprise Board for help. We got a lot of support from the Tipperary North Enterprise Board.

Who do you admire most in business and why?
The entrepreneur Bobby Kerr from Dragons' Den. I have met him on a number of occasions and, each time, he has given me good advice.

What's the biggest mistake you've made in business?
Overestimating sales in the beginning. This resulted in us having too much money tied up in packaging.

Based on your experience are the banks open for business to SMEs?
So far, bank funds have not been necessary as we have been able to generate sufficient cash flow to run the company. We have been part-funded by the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board. They helped with start-up costs and later part-funded the building and fit-out of our production unit.

What is the most frustrating part of running a small business?
It's 24/7 so you don't have enough time for your personal life, especially in the first few years.

What's your business worth and would you sell it?
We are still in the early years of business and I'm not sure what it's worth. But we wouldn't sell as we love what we do.

In conversation with Olive Keogh