We've taken some time out of the daily grind to get to know the founder of Boxlocal, Kate Wyatt! Kate set up the business 4 years ago from her garage in Nailsea. From those humble beginnings, Boxlocal has grown exponentially with both online sales and corporate gifting across the UK. Here we have a chat to her about her reasons for setting up the business and what she gets up to outside of work!
Why did you set up Boxlocal?
I found that I was gifting friends and family local produce hampers from fabulous local farm shops but there was no option to get this service online. Why not try and set a hamper business up that was passionate about local artisan products, which could take the hassle away for the buyer!!! Boxlocal was born 🥰❤
Talk us through a typical day!
Our days can be so varied with Boxlocal but a typical day involves me waking up at around 7am by our alarm clock radio! I love my sleep so I always find I hard leaving my bed 😆
I make sure my eldest son, Sam, is all ready for school. He leaves the house at 7.50am. I then make sure my youngest son, Felix, is all set. He needs to be up at the local school for 8.40am.
Once they are off and out it's time to focus on work 👀
I take a look at what orders need to go out, manage the couriers and Zedify our local delivery team, pack orders, manage stock supplies. Lots of our time is spent organising client orders as well as online orders.
With Christmas coming up Bethan and I are very much managing this process, focusing on photography, website set up, client Christmas brochures etc. Bethan and I either meet in person on certain days or chat via Google Meet. It's so great to check in on each other to make sure plans are on track and we are both happy with what we are doing.
What are your top 3 products?
It's constantly changing but at the moment my top three are:
Aldwick Jubilate Classic Cuvee - just such a beautiful sparkling wine.
Zara's Chocolate Buttons - so smooth and perfect with a cuppa.
IN Bristol Guide - so informative and such a great pressie for someone new to Bristol or for someone who wants to find out the lushest places to visit in our beautiful city.
What do you like to do outside of Boxlocal?
Ooh, there's lots to mention! My weekends are mostly spent taking our boys to football matches. They both love their sport and my husband and I love watching them!
I adore spending time with my 3 sisters. They are my everything. I also love popping over to my lovely Mum and Dad's Love popping over to my lovely Mum and Dad's for a cuppa and to chat through the weeks news.
Going out for dinner, coffee, cake, drinks with friends and family is my very best thing to do. Food, catching up and laughter is the most nourishing thing for the soul!!!
Chilling at home with my boys and husband is just the best too after a long week. When we can, we love getting away to Cornwall as a family. That area has always brought us so much calm and joy.
Netball!!! I have been playing in a local league this year and it has brought me so much HAPPINESS!!!
Favourite part of Bristol?
I think for me it has to be the harbourside/wapping wharf area. During lockdown, when only 2 households could meet, Bethan and I would take the kids for Mokoko takeaway coffee and cake which brings back so many memories. Also other sisters' kids and I LOVE to meet at Pickle for a coffee then work our way around to Wapping/harbourside taking in the views and food stops along the way!
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I LOVE my sleep so I'm actually in bed for 9pm whenever I can be. However if it's a party night I will be one of the last people standing!! All or nothing for me!
Favourite biscuit?
If I'm going posh I would choose the thick chocolate round biscuits with the hole in them (do they have a name???)..... basic biscuits has to be a choc digestive.
What song gets you on the dancefloor
LOVE 90's RnB and Hip Hop. Seriously LOVE it! Anything with a 90's R&b vibe then I am on the floor in a shot.... !!
Favourite place to eat/drink in Bristol?
So, so many to mention but....
Daytime - Foliage Cafe, Clifton - the best breakfast and coffee
Evening - Souk kitchen - wow just wow!
Fun fact about you!
My husband and I met in New Zealand even though we lived 10 miles apart from each other in Bristol 😃
