Hi there! I wanted to tell you a little bit about us and what prompted me to begin Chocolate Candy Mall.com.
My name is Angie Berg, and my husband, Don, and I have been serving as missionaries in the country of Australia for more than 10 years.
It is a great privilege for us, and we love the people, the country, and the ministry.
Unfortunately, the Lord has never blessed us with children - at least not yet. :) Because of this I have been able to spend a lot more time helping my husband with the ministries that we are involved with.
A few years ago we were able to start a used Christian book shop on the main street of our town. It gives us plenty of opportunities to talk to people about the Lord Jesus Christ. What a blessing!
Needless to say, it is not a "thriving business," and there are slow periods while I am minding the shop. Last year I started to think of things I could do in that spare time that might be able to bring in a little extra income for us that we could use for "extra's" like helping our parents out in their senior years, and doing special things for our many nieces and nephews.
I started typing the occasional letter and resume, but I don't get enough work to make more than $10 or $15 a month. I started searching for something more.
Because I had access to the computer and internet at the shop, I decided to look around on the web to see if there was any way I could utilize the internet to earn an income online.
My husband said I could give it a try, but warned me against being too gullible and being taken in by get rich quick schemes. Boy, was that sound advice!
I was overwhelmed by the amount of hype and ludicrous claims of big money making opportunities. Everyone was promising hundreds of dollars a day for almost little or no effort.
My mom always says, "If it sounds too good to be true, it is." I knew that the vast majority of the clamoring claims were false, but every now and then I hit on something that made sense. The trouble was, I had no experience or computer skills apart from basic word processing, e-mail, and the occasional ebay auction bid. :)
I was asking the Lord to show me what to try and to direct my path. Also, I only tried things that were guaranteed to refund your money if you were not satisfied. Yes, I did try a couple of doozy's and then got my money back. :)
Finally, I found something that made real sense.
I don't know exactly how (except for the Lord's guidance) I stumbled upon it, but I ended up with a free Affiliate Marketing Course e-book (help yourself) that talked about a program by Ken Evoy called Site Build It.
As I read through this book, it really rang true to me. There was no hype or super fast money making promises. Actually, Ken insisted that it would take a lot of brains and motivation to succeed. In other words, a lot of work!
That, in itself, was refreshing to hear, believe me.
As I read through the materials and browsed through SBI, I knew that I had found my needle in the haystack.
Basically, the idea is to build a website that will be of genuine benefit to others, and in the end your work will pay off. There are a multitude of different approaches you can take in developing your site, depending on your own preferences, time available, and motivation.
The trouble was, I didn't have the first idea about how to build a website. Everything I had been reading online talked about things like domain names, hosting, autoresponders, niche topics, keywords, search engine optimization, and the list went on and on.
It was like reading a foreign language. I realized that I would need to incorporate all of these techniques in order to be successful, but I was drowning in the sea of information overload. It all seemed well over my head as well as pretty hopeless. That is where the beauty of Site Build It comes in.
SBI has all the software needed already integrated and ready to go. Not only that, the program takes you step by step through the entire site building process at your own pace guiding you each step of the way.
This was exactly what I needed. One of my favorite features is the downloadable video tutorials that show you exactly what to do. And, when I get stuck (it happens), there are terrific forums with experienced and friendly people always willing to help you out with sound advice and instruction.
I couldn't ask for much more than that. I decided to take the plunge!
One of the first tasks I was given was to determine what "niche" or subject I wanted to cover on my site. Ken recommends that you choose something that you really love or enjoy.
Well, I love the Lord, my husband, being a wife, my family, teaching kids in Sunday School and Bible classes, but I really couldn't see how I would ever make those into a business. It could probably be done, but I didn't think that was the direction I was heading with this. I decided to take a more lighthearted approach and think about less serious things that I really enjoyed. Okay, top of the list - CHOCOLATE. I dooooo love my chocolate.
After a little research, I realized this could really be my thing.
For my mother's birthday in October I was looking for chocolate covered jelly sticks online, a particular favorite of hers. It took me ages to locate just what I was looking for. I finally found some and ordered a batch delivered for one of her birthday presents.
I had to browse through so many different candy companies to find what I was searching for. I thought it would have been nice to have a site that told you which companies carried a particular item. That is when the concept for Chocolate Candy Mall.com was born.
I keep pretty busy most days, but I try to spend as much free time as I can developing this site and, hopefully, I will eventually be rewarded by having a steady stream of income to do some of those extra's that I dream about.
Honestly, I started from scratch in mid November, 2006, and I have learned more than I thought possible about this whole sitebuilding process. The tuition I have received, alone, has made my SBI fee well worth the price.
If you are looking for a way to supplement your income or work from home, I hope you will consider trying out Ken's wonderful program. You can learn more about SBI and what they offer by clicking on one of the links on this page, or on the Site Build It footer link at the bottom of any page on this site.
But for those of you who are visual learners, here's a little video clip where Ken tells you a bit more....
So, what do you think about us at Chocolate Candy Mall? Not bad for an amateur, eh? Well, even if no one else likes it, I happen to think it is pretty great. :) I hope you will get some pleasure from it as well.
If you've got a question about us, our ministry here in Australia, or about building a home based business, this is the place to ask.
We'd love to share our faith with you, or help you learn how to work from home online, or both.
Click the links below to see questions and comments from other visitors...
Just starting with SBI
Hi Angie,
I'm just starting with SBI and happened to have found your website in Ken's Ebook on pre-selling, and your website looks great.
…
Starting A Chocolate Business
Hey.. Congratulations on the wonderful work that you have been doing.. I started my own lil chocolate business in India..(obviously inspired by you). …
My thoughts and prayers are with you Angie
Dear Angie,
Having just read of the passing of your mother, I wanted to extend my thoughts and prayers over your loss.
Though no two people can …
Love your site!
How excited I was when I found your site. I want to make some fine chocolate candies for myself and as gifts. I had no idea really where to begin, then …
Samples Request
Hi, I wonder if you send out samples. I am looking for Sugar Free milk, white, and dark chocolate melting pieces. What do you have? Could you send me …
Your Website
Hi Angie,
Just love your web site. Was the theme for your website included as part of your package with Site Build It or did you employ someone else …
Thank You For Your Website!
Hi Angie,
Just want to thank you for your website. It is very impressive. I am thankful that I found your site.
And it is so cool to read about …
Affiliate sites
Hi Angie,
I've been looking into Site Build It for awhile but I still have a couple of questions before I take the plunge, I was hoping you could answer …
Thanks for your Easter Comments!
Many thanks for your Easter comments & your story on how you came about your site. Today, you cannot imagine, how much joy you have brought to my day …
How to start a chocolate gift basket business...
Hi Angie,
Your site has been truly amazing and very informative. I am from Goa and I'd like some information on how to start a chocolate gift basket …
Adding Ebay To Your Site
Hello Angie,
My name is Sean O'Hara and I am a fellow SBIer in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I have a question about adding Ebay to your site. I am in the …
Chocolate Candy Mall is an Awesome Site!
Hello Angie,
I have been reading your chocolate mall and it has given me encouragement as I build my site too.
I hope you will have time to visit …
Starting a Chocolate Candy Basket Business
I am a little confused and I hope you can help me. Am I too understand that you started a chocolate candy basket business and then learned how to do it …
Your experience with SBI
Hi Angie,
I learned of your site through a Google search where I was trying to find bad experiences or any negative feedback about Site Build It. …
This site is great...
...but could I really do something like this?
Hi Mary,
Yes, you really can do "something like this." Of course, I hope you'll pick some …
Chocolatier from INDIA
My name is Patrick and I work as a Director of Sales & Marketing in a chocolate company based in India.
We, Cacobean Chocolatier, are part of the …
Just saying Hi!
Hi Angie!
Terrific site!! Thanks again for checking out my blog - I signed up for your newsletter and will definitely come back to the site. I hope …
Where do you find the time?
I am amazed at the time you take to respond to everyone. I've referred a friend to your site. She wants to work at home, and I've been encouraging her …
Wombat Day
Since you're living in Australia, you should consider celebrating Wombat Day this year. It's on October 22nd, and don't worry, it involves lots of chocolate! …
Questions about SBI
Angie, I found your website as I was doing a web search for sites built using Site Build It. I already have a website (www.countingthecost.com/index1.htm) …
Starting My Own Chocolate Candy Business
I am in the midst of starting my own handmade chocolate candy business.
I have some culinary school behind my belt, and a few cake decorating courses …
Your Chocolate Candy Mall Site
Hi, I am also considering this program. do you mind me asking are you really earning money from it?
$299 is a lot for me at once, but I need to do …
When are you available for tutelage?
Hi Angie!
I was so happy to spend some time with you today! Thank you so much for the stamps. I really appreciate having them and will think of you …
Return from About Us to Chocolate Candy Mall.com
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.