Hi Choco Lovers,
June absolutely flew by right? It's been one of those months where I genuinely don't know where the days have gone. Looking back through my camera roll while writing this, I realised just how much has actually happened. So... grab a cuppa and of course some chocolate and let's catch up.
June gave green chocolate and a pretzel test (as you Choco Lovers voted firmly pro-pretzel on Insta the other day).
We've been deep in R&D mode this month, testing loads of cool, delicious and admittedly, slightly crazy flavours. Some have been amazing, some have been, let's just say, character building... but that's all part of creating new products.
We officially launched our new O'bar Shop! With new flavours being added all the time. It’s the kinda place where we will test all kinds of flavours with you. Some, arguably, much better than others. There’s limited stock of all our current flavours and not all flavours will be coming back or staying! 😱
If you haven't had a look yet, go and have a browse. Seeing so many of your orders coming in for something we've worked really hard on has been such a lovely feeling. The best part? You can now build your own O'bar Multipack. Simply choose any three flavours and save with our bundle discount.
Your box. Your rules.
This month we'll be launching another brand new flavour... 🥥 Coconut Coast!
You know Snap Me from our Classic Selection Box? The coconut one that so many of you tell me is your favourite, and that’s better than a… We’ve made an O’bar-inspired Snap Me.
Creamy vegan chocolate, coconut, tropical vibes... basically yumminess wrapped up in a 200g chocolate bar.
We also about to sign the papers for our third warehouse at Tokar Industrial Park. Yep, warehouse number three. Which can only mean one thing for us, we’re prepping for dare I say, Christmas.
I know. It's July. Please don't shout at me. But it’s the reality.
CO’s was also featured at our lovely friends Tim and Rebecca's wedding! Shout out to them! 🤍
It all sounded like a brilliant idea, gifting a load of chocs for their snack table. Until I was standing there while dozens of guests tried our chocolates at exactly the same time. Me? Completely staring people out while desperately trying to lip read and gather their thoughts.
Meanwhile, they were probably thinking,
"Why is this girl just staring at me while I eat chocolate?"
No guys...I'm gathering consumer feedback!
Jamie's friends very quickly ushered me outside before my notes page came out.
Heat and chocolate don't mix. I know that’s stating the obvious, but in June we found that out for sure! Alongside the heatwave we just had, we also had a power cut.. roll on emergency electricians and a factory full of chocolate that really wanted electricity when all our AC units crashed at 11am on the hottest day of the year. All our stock could have been ruined, like that. It could have taken Catherine’s Originals off the map.
Thankfully, our absolute hero of a neighbour happened to have a generator on site and very kindly hooked us up, within an hour of calling him. He genuinely saved the day, and Catherine’s Originals. Does anyone know where to get a price-friendly, powerful second-hand generator??
Jamie and I went away to Greece for a long weekend with my dad's side of the family. It was actually the first time in well over ten years that we'd all been away together.
And I'll be completely honest... It was a really odd trip.
I think holidays are funny. You build them up in your head, imagining everyone relaxing together, and then you remember there are over ten adults, all with different personalities, different expectations and completely different ideas of what a "relaxing holiday" looks like.
Don't get me wrong, it really was lovely, and Jamie and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with everyone. But it definitely wasn't short of classic Dodd drama. My dad somehow managed to knock himself out and ended up with a concussion. Jamie became an all-you-can-eat buffet for every mosquito in Greece.
My middle brother finds environments like what it was, quite overwhelming, so one night ended up sleeping on the floor in Jamie's and my room. Jamie and I were also trying to squeeze in bits of work and calls between patches of questionable Wi-Fi and a constant ping - pong every... single... second.
Families change. People grow. Dynamics shift. Challenges are thrown everyone’s way. I honestly thought family holiday drama stopped once everyone became adults. I thought that’s what was supposed to happen.
So what do I do, try and make it all light and squeeze into a plant pot.
Writing on here sometimes feels like my own personal diary. I sometimes forget that I actually press send to over 40,000 people. Which I know sounds silly, but I just sit and type out my thoughts, my feelings, what's been going on and then archive it on our website blog and reflect on them every so often.
It's been quite an emotional few weeks. I genuinely don't know why. I’ve had numerous calls in June, some with Mark and Paul, our non-execs, where I’ve been on the verge of tears. At a weird, uneasy breaking point and unsure exactly why so.
Maybe it's something in the stars. Maybe it's the stress of work and family life.
Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's just one of those phases that comes around every now and then.
Life has felt quite full recently.
Exciting. Busy. A little overwhelming at times. I suppose I'm sharing this because social media often makes it look like business owners have everything together, that business is always thriving and perfect. Trust me, that is not always the case.
Now... I need your help.
As many of you know, this year we've been running a little experiment. For the first time ever, we switched our flagship Classic Selection Box off for a few months.
The thinking was simple. We wanted our Summer Selection Box to have its own moment.
Instead of the two chocolate boxes competing with each other, we thought we'd celebrate summer flavours properly. But I think maybe I got it wrong and I need you to tell me if you think I got it worng too.
From what I'm hearing, you don't want one or the other. You want both. You want the fruity, summery flavours... Alongside your classic favourites.
Am I right? Because if I am... Tell me. Reply to this email. Drop us an Instagram message. Comment on our latest post. I genuinely need to know, to change it and bring what you want.
This was always a test, and I'm more than happy to admit if it hasn't worked.
If enough of you tell me you're hungry for the Classic Selection Box to come back (and for it to never leave the website again) we'll absolutely listen.
Little Love Box is back ❤️
In case you missed it...
Our Little Love Box has returned!
Twenty creamy vegan milk and dark chocolate gianduja hearts, all wrapped up inside the cutest little gift box.
Perfect for:
🤎 A random act of kindness.
🤎 Letting someone know you're thinking about them.
🤎 Birthday treats.
🤎 Or...
Keeping entirely for yourself.
(No judgment here.)
A sunshine reminder ☀️
As much as we all love the sunshine...
If the forecast reaches 25°C or above, we'll automatically pause shipping to protect your chocolate from melting.
If you'd still like your order sent regardless of the weather, simply reply to us with your order number and let us know you're happy to accept the risk. We'll happily get it on its way.
That's all from me this month.
Thank you, as always, for supporting our chocolate business.
See you next month.
Stay Sweet.
Love,
Catherine 🤎
