Founder’s Thoughts: Jars, Joy, and a Little Bit of Breakdown

I’m writing this between Uber Eats deliveries… because yes, I’m driving to fund my honey dream. This is the real behind-the-scenes. No fluff. Just hustle.

Let’s start with the gold from this week. I had the chance to spend a day at Comvita…yes, the OGs of Manuka Honey and it honestly lit me up. Listening to Alan, one of the original founders, speak with such humility and purpose? I needed tissues. It was that inspiring. But what hit me hardest was hearing that Claude, the other founder, started Comvita at 65 years old.

That single fact gave me hope. Because some days, building a brand from scratch makes you feel like you’re running out of time. But that moment? It reminded me that I’m right on time.

This week hasn’t been easy. I’m juggling the growing pains of a purpose-led business with the very real pressure of making ends meet. I’m bootstrapping like a pro—driving Uber in the morning, making jars in the afternoon, packing orders at night. And still trying to smile through the stress.

I’ve sent about 20 jars of I Am Hot Honey across New Zealand and overseas to friends and family. Why? Because shipping from one side of the world to the other can be brutal, especially when it’s your dream inside that box. One broken jar can feel like a punch in the gut and a brand-killer all in one. So, I’m testing. One jar a day comes back to me. So far, so good. But next week, real customer orders start going out. And yes, I’m nervous.

Meanwhile, I’ve somehow found myself with 44 meetings lined up with honey buyers. It’s wild and exciting and completely overwhelming. Imposter syndrome? Loud. But the dream? Louder.

Then, just when I needed it, the universe threw me a bone. I had a game-changing chat with someone big in the industry—someone I met years ago when my jar was just a sketch. Now it’s real. It’s on shelves. And that conversation is back on the table.

Still, it’s lonely sometimes. I don’t want to do this all on my own. I believe in co-ops, in walking beside good humans, in sustainability that’s real, not just a marketing line. And I believe this brand—my brand can be a vehicle for real change.

So here I am: sweating in the car, playlist on, doing the damn thing. From bootstrapping deliveries to bold meetings. From melting wax to sealing dreams.

I don’t just want to sell honey.

I want to spark something real. Something hot.

And maybe—just maybe—I already have.

– Lisa

Founder, I Am Hot Honey

driver, dreamer, jar-packer, hope-holder