Bean to Business
We started a chocolate factory with zero experience in chocolate.
Bean to Business is a weekly show from the team at Hill Country Chocolate in Fredericksburg, Texas. We make bean-to-bar chocolate—starting with raw cacao beans and turning them into finished bars right here in our production facility.
Every week, we pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to run a small manufacturing business. The wins. The mistakes. The stuff nobody warns you about.
We talk about sourcing ingredients from around the world, working with Italian production equipment, building a brand in a tourist town, and figuring it out as we go. Sometimes we bring in guests. Sometimes we just answer your questions.
If you're running a small business, thinking about starting one, or just curious what happens inside a craft food operation, this show is for you.
New episodes drop weekly.
Bean to Business
From Side Hustle to Real Business: What It Really Takes in 2026
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Should you start a business in 2026? In this episode of the Being 2 Business podcast, Dan and Melanie of Hill Country Chocolate dive deep into the real-life journey of turning a side hustle into a full-fledged business. With stats showing a surge of entrepreneurial interest, they break down what’s behind the trend, share their own startup stories (from baking cookies and crafting chocolate in a pool house to launching a thriving chocolate shop), and talk honestly about the challenges, costs, and true commitment required.
Tune in for hard-earned advice on everything from testing your product, harnessing AI tools, and managing money, to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re dreaming of building something on the side or ready to go all-in, Dan and Melanie offer relatable insights, candid lessons, and inspiration for anyone considering making the leap.
Check out our chocolate factory and book and experience or class at hillcountrychocolate.com
