I was very excited to launch the website as it felt like the real start of our business. Yes, we had been going for a couple of months, getting everything ready to go, but the website launch felt like the real start. It was extremely nerve wracking having absolutely no idea what to expect. Would we sell any coffee? Would people like our brand? Is our social media interesting and engaging? Is this a massive mistake and should I have not have left my job? All of these questions were running through my head. In reality though, as is the case with most things in life, the anticipation is always worse than the reality. Indeed, in reality, the launch could not have gone better. The overwhelming support we received from our friends and family was truly amazing. Anything from reposting our socials, to buying our coffee to just offering some words of encouragement - We have felt it all and to all those who have supported us so far, I am honestly so grateful.
After the website launch, we had our first market stall at the Bridport Town Market.
The nerves were rife. It's one thing to launch on social media to mostly friends and family, but to then offer our products to the fine folk of Bridport and the surrounding areas is quite a vulnerable place to be. But as before, we had nothing to worry about. We sold out in about 3 hours of opening. To have strangers come up to us, try our coffee and confirm that it is in fact pretty good stuff was such a boost. The support we were offered was incredible. The number of people coming to our little gazebo and offering us congratulations for starting and words of encouragement was too many to count (well...less than 100 but who's counting). We've obviously heard that people like to 'shop local', but to see it in action with our community looking to help however they can is definitely something we did not expect.
We then had our second market, this Saturday just gone (20.12.25). Again, it was a great day, selling even more coffee than we did the week before. What felt extra special was that we had locals coming back to buy more - our first regulars!
This is what I wanted when I took the decision to start this company. Even if we don't sell another bean (obviously hoping we sell lots more...), I can be completely satisfied that I have got what I came here for. The feeling of starting something from scratch, producing something, selling it, and having people like it. It's magic stuff.
We've had a cracking two weeks, and here's to hoping we get at least two more...(or three)
Merry Christmas all.
Cheers,
Will
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