Behind the Business

We are excited to bring back our “Behind the Business” features in 2021!

“Behind the Business” explores what, where and who our Strong Women draw inspiration from and provides an opportunity for us to learn more about our members.

This week we’re hearing from Chocolate On Purpose - Fiona Mary Harrison.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a Wiradjuri woman of the Lachlan & Macquarie Rivers in NSW. After being involved in an armed holdup/hostage situation I developed PTSD and panic attacks. One morning I awoke suddenly mid-panic attack and very disoriented. I had newly discovered Aromatherapy skincare and stumbled to the bathroom to use a Lavindin face compress I’d purchased. I instantly felt a tiny calming. I crawled into the shower and sprinkled more of the mixture into the steam. I felt further calming. So I ran the bath, liberally dosed the water, lay back and breathed. The attack passed more quickly than was the norm and I was able to dress and get my children off to school. I suffered no further panic attacks. Lavindin is a poor relation of Lavender and attributed no real health benefits.

This piqued my curiosity... how powerful are plant essences if this poor relation of Lavender could provide such a profound healing for me? This led me to study Aromatherapy & Aromatic Chemistry. In Australia, plant essences can only be delivered topically, whereas in Europe Aromatic Medicine is encompassed in mainstream medicine and can be ingested.

I began searching for a way to deliver the power of plant essences in an ‘everyday’ way, rather than ‘supplemental’. My Best Aromatherapy Friend Jo, joined this journey with me. It was her birthday and I bought us a Chocolate Making Course as a gift. We were in our element and when the teacher announced we were making a Raspberry & Black Pepper chocolate our minds started racing! Black Pepper is an essential oil... this is how we’ll share the power of plant essences... chocolate! we rejoiced. How about we add ‘superfoods’ like Goji Berry we pondered... hang on a minute I said... my Ancestors have been using Australian native plants medicinally since the Dreaming... and ‘Bush Food Chocolate’ was born.

Can you tell us about your business?

Chocolate On Purpose is an Artisinal Chocolate Company located in Millthorpe on the Central Tablelands of Central West NSW. Our signature range of chocolate is called “Bush Food Chocolate”, created by combining melt in the mouth couverture chocolate with Australian native botanicals growing on Country. Our Mission is to produce quality chocolate creations for both lovers of fine chocolate and those wanting to make the world of chocolate a better place for all, by sourcing our native botanicals from Aboriginal Communities around Australia and sustainable cocoa only from Suppliers who are members of the “Cocoa Horizons" Foundation. Our Vision is to educate the world about the superfood benefits of our Australian native botanicals and the wisdom of First Australians in their traditional use, so we are respected for this wisdom and honoured for our culture.

Industry do you operate in and for how long?

Confectionery- Manufacturing. It's been a hobby sideline to full time work outside of the business up until the end of 2020. I am now working full time in the business.

Is there any other information or encouragement you would like to share with other Indigenous Women?

“fall down seven times, get up eight”. Trust your gut and if you truly believe you’re onto a good thing in your business then ride the wave.

"There’s no such thing as overnight success, stay the course and you’ll succeed"

“We are only as strong as the resources around us"

Research and tap in. A woman is not an island! You may of heard of these: FirstAustraliansCapital.org - GlobalSisters.org - Femeconomy.com. Connect Connect Connect!