Tell us about your business:

YumJumble.com.au lets you create your own chocolate bar. You choose a base- dark, milk or white chocolate- and then create your own perfect bar by choosing from 60 different toppings. Toppings range from nuts and fruits, to spices, gold flakes, and gummy bears.

The bars are made to order in Melbourne, and shipped right across Australia.

Why did you start up your business?

I had been working at a Big Bank for about 10 years, but my permanent role somehow “disappeared” in a restructure a few years ago….. I have managed to stay working there month to month part time, but longer term I need to do something else, and I wanted it to be a bit more fun than bank compliance projects!

I noticed that mass-customisation was still pretty new in Australia, and also came across one critical piece of market research- a study showed that 9 out of 10 people like chocolate. The tenth person always lies…..

What are the major hurdles you experienced?

I had never built a website or run a business before, so I have spent a lot of time online googling and having to learn about a million different topics.

What tips can you give other SavvySME members that are thinking or in the process of starting their own business?

Make lists and be strict about what you spend your time on! Otherwise you get distracted and waste hours on things that are not really moving you forward at all.

What made you decide to take the jump and focus on your business?

I haven’t done that yet…hopefully soon…

How did your family and friends react?

I have 4 year old twins- and they are both chocoholics! So they are pretty happy with the concept so far…

How has your life changed?

My life hasn’t really changed - except I have had no spare time for a while now….

What is the vision for your business moving forward?

I would like to get enough momentum so I can consider dropping my day job!

What tips can you give other SavvySME members about motivating yourself to push through the challenges that rise up while building your start-up?

It is a cliché and is in every article or case study you read, but I think “persistence”…..