Running a small business is never just about packing orders.
Every parcel that leaves Guinea Gourmet Treats represents hours of harvesting, drying, quality checking, mixing, packing and, more importantly, a genuine passion for helping small animals thrive on a more natural diet. But behind the scenes there's another full-time job too – raising two amazing home-educated children, caring for our own animals and somehow trying to keep life moving forward.
This week has certainly been one of those weeks.
Fresh batches arriving almost daily
One of my favourite parts of the week has been seeing so many fresh products making their way back onto the shelves.
Fresh batches prepared this week included:
- 🌿 Calm Breeze Forage
- 🌿 Peaceful Meadows Forage
- 🌿 Hedgerow Blackberry Grazing Mix
There's something incredibly satisfying about opening a freshly dried batch. The colours stay vibrant, the leaves smell amazing and you know customers are receiving something packed with natural goodness rather than something that's been sitting in storage for months.
Keeping products as fresh as possible has always been one of my priorities.
Welcoming new customers
One of the biggest highlights was welcoming several first-time customers to Guinea Gourmet Treats.
This week Kerri placed her very first order, including some of our popular Soft Dry Linden.
What makes stories like this even more special is hearing about the animals they're buying for.
Kerri adopted four gorgeous boars from Norfolk Piggies and is also hoping to share some treats with her daughters' rescued sow. I genuinely can't wait to hear what they all think once the parcel arrives.
Every new customer is another opportunity to improve the lives of more small animals, and that's something I never take for granted.
Rewarding loyalty
Our rewards scheme continues to grow every week.
Customers this week have been adding to their personal rewards coupons, giving them money back to spend whenever they're ready.
Unlike traditional loyalty points, these rewards continue to build over time, meaning customers can choose whether to save them for something big or use them on their very next order.
Even better, every qualifying order automatically enters customers into our monthly draw where one lucky person receives £20 added to their rewards code.
It's my way of saying thank you for supporting a small family business.
Home education never really stops
Away from Guinea Gourmet Treats, life has been just as busy.
One of the biggest changes in our family this year has been home educating both Ty and Taylor.
Learning doesn't always happen sat at a desk.
This week we've continued encouraging curiosity through everyday life, whether that's:
- working out weights and prices while shopping
- exploring nature
- discussing wildlife
- encouraging independence
- letting the children follow their interests and ask questions
Watching confidence slowly grow is one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Comic Con excitement
Taylor has been counting down the days until Comic Con.
Like many neurodivergent children, special interests become huge events to look forward to, and seeing the excitement build has been lovely.
There has also been plenty of preparation going on behind the scenes as costumes, accessories and deliveries gradually arrive.
Sometimes those little moments of excitement become some of the biggest memories.
Enjoying the outdoors
Nature continues to inspire both family life and Guinea Gourmet Treats.
Whether it's watching insects, identifying plants, exploring woodland or simply appreciating seasonal changes, spending time outside reminds me why natural forage is so important.
Many of the plants we use every day are the same species wild rabbits and guinea pigs would naturally investigate in the wild.
That connection with nature is something I hope comes across in every product we make.
The reality of running a small business
Social media often shows the finished product.
The neat labels.
The pretty boxes.
The finished photographs.
It doesn't always show:
- late nights packing orders
- constantly washing leaves
- checking drying batches
- redesigning labels
- answering customer messages
- creating educational content
- juggling family life around everything else
But honestly?
I wouldn't change it.
Knowing that every parcel is helping owners provide healthier enrichment for their animals makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Thank you ❤️
If you've ordered recently, shared a post, recommended Guinea Gourmet Treats or simply followed our journey, thank you.
Every order helps support a genuine family-run business that's passionate about improving small animal nutrition through natural, carefully selected forage.
I can't wait to see what next week brings.
As always...
From my family to yours, thank you for supporting Guinea Gourmet Treats. 💚
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