18/08/2026
This is a difficult post for me to share, but I need to share it.
For the last 18 months, I’ve mostly kept my head down and worked.
Closing our shop was necessary for Mat’s Hot Shop to survive. The business lost money every year the store was open, and continuing would have pushed us further into trouble.
Knowing it was the right decision hasn’t stopped me from feeling like I failed.
I’ve carried a lot of shame about the financial position the business ended up in and the people I feel I let down.
That shame made me scared to show my face, talk about the business or share what I’ve been creating.
Closing the shop stopped the losses, but it didn’t erase the damage. We’re now operating profitably and rebuilding, but there is still a long way to go.
Mat’s Hot Shop has quietly become a stronger business.
We now focus completely on making our own sauces. Our products keep getting better, and I have a clear idea of what I want this brand to become.
But none of that matters if I’m too scared to show you.
So I’m treating this as day one of the next version of Mat’s Hot Shop.
I’m going to share more of the real work behind the business.
The new sauces.
Production days.
Good decisions.
Mistakes.
Pressure.
Progress.
I’m not starting from nothing.
I’m starting with seven years of experience, a business I still believe in and a lot of work ahead of me.
Thank you to everyone who has continued buying our sauces, sending messages and backing the brand.
I’m ready to show up again.
