You ever have one of those weeks where it feels like you're being hit from all angles, but you've still got to keep things running — and smiling while you do it?
That’s been me.
Running Guinea Gourmet Treats isn’t just a business — it’s a reflection of who I am, what I believe in, and what I pour myself into, even when everything else feels like it’s spiralling. But sometimes, that balance — between business, parenting, and holding your own mental space — gets stretched so thin it squeaks.
🎢 The Emotional Whiplash Behind GGT
This week, I’ve been juggling the usual storm — dealing with school runs that quickly turn into meltdowns, managing my partner’s emotional responses when I prioritise my own needs (like, y’know, a literal migraine), and trying to find peace in moments that seem determined to steal it.
At one point, I was accused of not spending enough time with someone I’d just spent the whole day with. I’d developed a migraine and went quiet — suddenly, that was seen as rejection. It snowballed into emotional withdrawal and attempts to control things like the TV, the conversation, and even my relationship with my son. I could see the manipulation so clearly — and I refused to hand over that power.
Why am I sharing this?
Because this is the real backdrop of GGT.
The treats, the packaging, the forages — they don’t come from a spotless studio or quiet workspace. They come from the middle of life. Of arguments, overstimulation, burnout, and chaos. They’re sorted, labelled and packed when my nervous system is fried, when I haven’t had five minutes to myself, when I’m exhausted from parenting with presence.
💥 And Then Social Media Hits Too
Just when I was running low, social media flung its usual blend of idiotic nonsense my way. 🙄
Someone sent me a screenshot of their order (with the discount applied!) asking me how much it would cost. Another decided to tell me a sycamore isn’t a maple tree — despite, y’know, botany. Someone else watched a forage video and called my raspberry leaf mix “grass cuttings.” Classic.
And maybe on a normal day I’d laugh it off. But when you're mentally drained already, it just hits different. It reminds me of the people who challenge your knowledge to elevate their own ego. People who don’t listen, don’t research, don’t respect. It triggers that same energy I navigate daily in my home — that tension between being confident in what you know, while constantly being questioned, doubted or drained.
💡 So What Did I Do?
I got creative. I pivoted.
Instead of drowning in the algorithm trying to “market,” I leaned into direct sales with heart.
People nominating rescues? I started dropping surprise discount codes in the comments. Publicly. No fake scarcity, just real gratitude — and a nudge to support a small business when it’s most needed.
I created codes like:
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BESTFRIENDS – 10% off
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HOLLY – 15% off
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KATEN – 30% off
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EMMA30 – A proper biggie for someone who needed it
Each one felt good to give. Like I was turning something chaotic into connection — and in return, orders started coming in. Not loads. But enough to feel heard. Supported. Kept going.
🌿 What You Don’t See in the GGT Packaging
When you open a forage bag from me, you see carefully picked herbs and flowers — maybe you see play value, enrichment, and feeding instructions. But what you don’t see is that it was packed after a school run filled with sock meltdowns and fleece dramas. You don’t see that I was crying in the kitchen an hour before, or that I found five minutes of clarity by creating something useful for someone else’s animal.
You don’t see the emotional labour.
But that’s what you’re supporting when you buy from GGT.
You’re not funding a warehouse. You’re fuelling recovery, resilience, and someone who’s fighting to build a life where compassion and creativity can coexist with survival.
🚀 The Bigger Picture
I’ve also been testing ideas — like pre-ordering enrichment stock (dry branches, chews, foraged mixes) and prepping future launches for supplier-sourced bits, but with added value and quality checks by me. No mystery shipping. No "is this safe?" questions. Just thoughtful products, bundled smartly, and sent from someone who actually cares.
💚 Why I Keep Showing Up
Because small animals deserve better.
Because enrichment is not optional, it’s essential.
Because my customers aren’t numbers, they’re part of a community that values natural care, real knowledge, and actual experience behind the product.
Because in a life full of instability, GGT is something I can build, control, and offer the world.
Something that reflects the best parts of me — even when the worst parts of life are trying to take centre stage.
So if you’ve bought from me lately…
Thank you.
You’ve kept my business — and my head — above water.
You’ve reminded me why I push through.
If you haven’t yet, maybe now’s the time.
The animals will love it.
And trust me — so will I.
👉 www.guineagourmettreats.co.uk
#BehindTheScenesGGT #RealLifeSmallBusiness #SupportSmall #MentalHealthAndMicrobusiness #GuineaGourmetTreats #NotJustTreatsTheyreTools
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