Oh, October, you’ve been an absolute whirlwind! And I know it’s only the 22nd, but seriously—things are already ramping up, and I’m entering that oh-my-gosh-how-am-I-going-to-survive-November-and-December panic mode. You know what...
Oh, October, you’ve been an absolute whirlwind! And I know it’s only the 22nd, but seriously—things are already ramping up, and I’m entering that oh-my-gosh-how-am-I-going-to-survive-November-and-December panic mode. You know what I mean? I’m already imagining myself typing away on my laptop, rushing through customer emails while desperately grabbing yet another coffee at Pret. Heck, I’ll probably be responding to your lovely messages from inside the porta loo at Winchester Market! (Hey, it’s all about multitasking, right?)
So, let’s have a proper catch-up now while I can still breathe! I promise I’ll try to squeeze in more updates during the final stretch of the year, but if I disappear for a bit... well, you know why. 😅
Okay, first things first—Winchester Christmas Market at the stunning Winchester Cathedral! Last year was a sell-out, and honestly, chatting with you guys and giving out chocolate samples was one of the best experiences I’ve had with Catherine’s Originals so far. I felt like Mr Wonka, especially after seeing the new Wonka movie after talking about chocolate all day! I mean, who wouldn’t love being surrounded by Christmas lights, festive cheer, and, of course, CATHERINE'S ORIGINALS VEGAN CHOCOLATE?
We’ll be back this year, no longer in the Makers’ section, but in the smaller cove area behind the main stage, near the nativity. We’ll still be easy to find (and smell, thanks to all that chocolatey goodness).
What makes it even more exciting is that so many of you lovely folks are planning to come by and say hi! My heart is so full!
Let’s talk about our Christmas Hampers I touched base on in the last poll. These beauties are going to be HOT this year—especially when I tell you we have kept 100 tins to go in the hamper! We’re only making 100 hampers, split between the website and the market (50 each). Inside, you’ll find ALL our products at a ridiculous discount, plus a brand-new, exclusive launch coming in December that I know you’re going to love, with some actually nice, useful merch, not tat!
Now, this new launch—it’s a world first for vegan/plant-based/gluten-free/sustainable shoppers. Yes, you heard that right! It will have to shouting "gimmee" from the top of mountain peaks! Many of you have been asking for it, and trust me, these will go faster than you can say “chocolate cravings.” Would you want to pre-order one of these mystery items before I even announce the product? Drop me a line! If enough of you are feeling adventurous, I’ll set up a pre-order, and trust me—it’s not a risk, it’s a reward.
For those of you worried about the best-before dates—don’t panic! They’re on there, I promise, they’re just stealthy. We went with a camo-red design on the back of the box to blend with the packaging (fancy, I know), but they’re definitely there! All with a post Christmas BBD.
If you missed out on the tins, we’ve got a sweet deal on our 3-box offer over on the website. You get more chocolate than you would with the tin, and at a better price—our little way of saying sorry for running out of these tins.
Now, let’s talk about something that’s been bugging me: our postal packaging. Look, I know our current brown boxes with tape are… well, a bit amateur. The last thing I want is for Catherine’s Originals to come across like we’re still figuring things out (even though we totally are, shh). But I’ve got some FABULOUS news—we’re upgrading! Bright, fun boxes are on the way, and fingers crossed, they’ll arrive in time for Christmas. These boxes are going to be so sturdy you could probably drop them from space and your chocolates would still arrive perfectly. And yes, I’m way too excited about this.
Speaking of exciting—how’s this for a sign? The other day, I walked up to the factory and saw these gorgeous stripes perfectly curving around our warehouse. It felt like the universe was telling me to just keep going, even when things get tough. Because let’s face it, running a business, juggling home life, and staying sane can feel a bit overwhelming sometimes. But hey, we’ve got this!
Last night, Jamie, Scott, and I sat by the fire, enjoying a cozy sweet potato stew (so autumnal, right?) and reflected on how far we’ve come. This time last year, we were scrambling to finalise recipes, figure out how to turn on the machines (no, really), and sending out unwrapped chocolates. Now? We’re Salsa-approved pros with chocolates wrapped, and we’re just shy of 12,000 online readers! WHAT?!?!
In case you didn’t know, Snap Me and The Cookie Muncher are officially fan favourites! And yes, I know they’re the worst-wrapped of the bunch. That’s why Jamie and I have decided to invest in a new machine to wrap them properly. Not only will they look better, but they’ll also last longer on your shelf. (Though let’s be real, who’s letting them sit on the shelf for long?)
We always, always take your feedback seriously. I personally go through every email and review because I want to make sure your experience with Catherine’s Originals is nothing short of amazing. So please, keep growing with us, be patient with me, and stay along for the ride. I promise, it’s going to be a magical journey!
Stay sweet,
Catherine
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