It’s NYE. This is an annual tradition to recap my year.

It was a busy end to 2022 with market season for Hotties. I enter feeling optimistic for 2023. I had mapped the year out and I was gonna kill it.

I didn’t know what I had coming…

January: I’m gonna smash this year

After a busy Christmas of Hotties I took the first 2 weeks to recharge before setting my sights on world domination. I am focused on opening a brick-and-mortar hot chocolate shop in my local town and I’m focused on increasing wholesale accounts.

February: Well that’s the year gone

The shop falls through due to dampness. I struggle with this, but then the same week I get accepted into a Co-Working space I applied to months previous. I start in the Baths (Co-Working). Things look shakey but on the up.

March: Come on my guy – there’s still a chance

I draw up a new game plan to organise my business more efficiently. I have a brief stint working in PR before heading to London for some fun. I continue to work well in the baths and get a £1000 grant for being a smart chappy.

April: Hello Mr President?

Highlights: I meet Joe Biden, speak at a black tie awards night, and spend a great weekend in Paris. I felt like a baller in April.

May: New Job? Bye bye house

I put our house up for sale. Exbit at the Balmoral Show (Big food show). I head to Valencia to celebrate my 27th birthday and get a new job on my birthday. Boom.

June: I work a 9-5 now?

I have one big food event on the season before starting my new role as a social strategist. I do a 10k running race to get back into running and spend the rest of June getting up to speed

July: Wait… I get paid when I’m not working?

I attended the DO Lectures for a week in coastal Wales. A highlight of the year for sure. This is followed by a week in Donegal and a weekend on the North Coast. Busy but good. Hot chocolate takes a back seat. Social Strategy becomes the priority.

August: Selling houses is faffy. Friends are golden.

I start cycling to the office (10 miles each way) this transforms my mood. I go away for a cycling weekend with my best mates- great fun. We complete the sale of our house after some serious headaches.

September: Holyland and a wedding.

The new job is flat out and hot chocolate season starts up again. We sale agreed on a new house before heading to Israel and Cyprus for 2 weeks. We love exploring Israel both new and old. Jerusalem was jam-packed and Jaffa is super cool. We then fly to Cyprus for a friend’s wedding and enjoy lying by the pool.

October: I’m becoming a firefighter?

Hot Chocolate Biz ramps up with 4 big events in October and I get accepted by the fire service (should I be working a 3rd job?). We hire a photographer to help with HC content — a game changer. We try to prep for madness in Nov & Dec.

November: Full willy wonka – will we survive the season?

We take a weekend to chill up north. Then Hot Chocolate season is in full flow. 7 days a week. Its Chaos. Work also ramps up including a trip to London and I break with exhaustion.

December: Rise & Grind. Happy Christmas

I’ve got nothing left. At this point, I am doing orders 6–8 am. Going to my job 8.30 am–5 pm. Packing 7 pm- midnight. 7 days a week. It’s good financially but mentally and physically I’m done. Falling asleep at the dinner table. Happy Christmas folks!