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Business Ripples: Missionary ChocolatesBy Jennifer Ferrero Sustainable, healthy, earth-friendly, and family oriented are words that describe the sister act creations of Missionary Chocolates of Portland, Oregon. Out of a personal goal of creating vegan truffles for their mom, two sisters have found success in truffle making that looks like a snapshot of next generation businesses in this country. Businesses that are family and community focused and that use locally grown products are on the rise. Just over two years ago, sisters, Melissa Berry and Vanessa Holden, were each working on their professional careers – Melissa was in her last year of medical school and Vanessa in wealth management – when Melissa started toying with the idea of making vegan chocolates for their mom.
 A lifelong vegan, their mom had developed an intolerance to gluten. For her, eating truffles was out of the question. Chocolates contain heavy cream, and may also include eggs, butter, and wheat. These ingredients are not within her diet and the gluten intolerance compounded the issue. Melissa decided to modify some chocolate recipes to make something that their mother could eat. After testing some recipes on family and friends, it became evident that she had dipped into something innovative. Chocolate truffles created out of organic coconut milk and fruit puree are delicious and available to vegans, lactose intolerant, and gluten free individuals. Holden notes, "The coconut milk provides the richness that you'd have with the cream, but without the same fat content as cream." The initial truffles were a hit and Melissa continued to develop the recipes. Seven months later, she approached Vanessa about joining the business as her partner. Two years have passed, and now the business offers eight varieties of truffles and has distribution in New York, Portland, California, and Washington State.
While they have been a natural fit for cooperative (co-op) markets and coffee shops, the sisters want to further expand the business in the coming year. "We look forward to going national in the coming year, but currently make all the truffles in Melissa's home, which is also our certified domestic kitchen," shares Holden. On Wednesday nights, they offer a chocolate making experience for those interested in learning more about how they produce the truffles. Guests come over for wine and chocolate and help dip, decorate, and ship products. While their truffle, "Meyer Lemon Explosion" was voted "best tasting" at the 2009 Chocolate Experience in Spokane, Washington - they offer seven other flavors. They include:
With the primary product line, they also offer seasonal varieties such as Passion Fruit Lime, currently on tap this summer. "We strive to create unique flavors with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients," says Holden.
 Since many of the chocolates use fruit purees, and other pure ingredients, they source directly from local vendors at their farmer's market, and from businesses like Portland Roasting, a coffee roaster, for the Double French Espresso truffle. As a business, they feel that operating in a sustainable manner – like using locally grown fruits, is important to their success. As far as the company's name, Missionary Chocolates, Holden adds, "It's our mission to promote the best tasting vegan chocolates around the world." While the goal may seem lofty, the sisters are determined. They have created something that fulfills a niche market, but with flavors that transcend that market by not just meeting a need, but by being delicious! Although they are busy expanding their business, Melissa did become a doctor and practices two days a week along with handcrafting 2,000-3,000 truffles per week. Vanessa handles the marketing and management of the business and joins her sister in the kitchen with production. Both being accomplished women, the sisters have created something beyond just making a living. They have developed a business using sustainable local resources, which appeals to all chocolate lovers through the high quality of the chocolates, and also to people who normally see chocolate as the forbidden fruit. To order chocolates: Missionary Chocolates
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