Over 10,000 Orders !👊🏼

Is it too late to say "Happy New Year?" Who's to say?

Here's to welcoming 2025 with open arms and a rested Fiona (and team!)

It’s so good to be back! It feels like ages since my last update—and that’s because it has been. The last time I sat down to write to you all was way back in October (I think). The past two months have been a whirlwind of growth, excitement, and big milestones for Catherine’s Originals.  Let’s chat about it all. After all, you have been here every step of the way. So why not reflect together.

Christmas brought a lot of magic to HQ. Our team grew to ten people, it’s had never been busier. We ended the year with record-breaking chocolate growth and finished the year launching our unique take on the Triangle Peaks. Admittedly, there was one overly salty batch that went a bit rogue, but the rest of the feedback? 5 stars. This year it’s time to mitigate “missing out” even more.

The big win for me, was our Catherine’s Originals Selection Tin. Three years in the making, and it sold out before Christmas even began! Seeing something that took so much effort be loved by so many people was incredible. So much so, we also launched a limited-edition personalised version—there are only 300 left if you haven’t snagged one yet! Once they’re gone, the tins won’t be back for a long time!

• I returned as a judge on Deliveroo’s Big Pitch (yes, sitting next to Mr. Will Shu himself!).

• We launched on Deliveroo Hop—a huge milestone for us.

• We grew our Instagram following to 6.5k, smashing our goal of 5k.

• Our newsletter readers (you guys) expanded from 4,000 to an incredible 20,000 people. I’m thrilled to see so many of you enjoying our dairy-free chocolate and proving that you don’t have to compromise on taste, the planet, or ethics to indulge and share!

• On November 13th, we hit 10,000 Shopify orders. Shopify even sent us an award to celebrate *cue me feeling like a YouTuber unboxing their subscriber plaque* It’s moments like these that remind me how far the team have come in such a short time.

• We invested in some exciting new machinery—I can’t share too much just yet, but big things are coming!

  Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. We said goodbye (temporarily) to William, who’s off adventuring in Costa Rica for six months. His trusty old Polo, Sheila, is still parked at the factory, so it feels like he’s just around the corner. Driving in every morning and seeing his car always makes me smile.

  We also had some hiccups with our “Baby I’m Blue” chocolate. A batch didn’t turn out as expected due to measuring out some ingredients incorrectly, it’s learning to grow from moments like these, which trust me, we are always doing. We are in discussions of pausing  production of the selection box until we can resolve the issue. Alternatively, we’re considering swapping out the lavender and chamomile flavour entirely. I’d love to hear your thoughts: should we keep “Baby I’m Blue” in the box or try something new?

  Jamie and I took 10 days off over Christmas to recharge. We even managed a six-day sunshine getaway for New Year’s in this time. Despite a restless night of heatstroke and too many mosquito bites, the trip allowed us to reconnect. If you work with your partner, you’ll know how easy it is for work to consume your relationship. This reset was exactly what we needed to start 2025 on the right foot.

  

  But life has a way of throwing curveballs. I lost my nan on the day we returned from our trip. She was 90 years old and the last of my grandparents. I’m grateful for the life she lived and the love she gave. She even played a part in helping us grow Catherine’s Originals in the final two months of 2024. I’ll always remember her laughter during our last conversation.

  
  

  Despite the rocky start this gave to our return home, I’m so ready for what’s next.  Goals for overall business growth..

  • Managing highs and lows: I want to find balance—to celebrate the wins without getting drained and to handle setbacks with grace. A more balanced attitude and perspective, I know will help manage my energy levels and become a better leader at work.

  • Public speaking: I’ve always hated it, but I’m determined to improve. Anyone know any good tutors or courses?

  • Launch new original goods

  • Improve existing chocolates

  • Share our plant based treats with thousands more chocolate lovers!

  What do you want to see from Catherine’s Originals in 2025? New products? Events? Collaborations? How about a partnership with a florist for chocolate and flower gifts? Or a Catherine’s Originals X Pret Hot Choc? Should we explore merch or launch more bundles? Your ideas help shape our journey, so don’t hold back. Should Baby I’m Blue stay or go?

  

  Here’s to another year of amazing chocolate, growth, and community. Stay tuned for my regular monthly updates—I promise I won’t wait too long until the next one!

  Stay sweet,

  Catherine xxx