Why we Exist

Hi guys,

I wanted to take this blog to focus back on why we actually exist. And more importantly why that should matter to you as our loyal followers.

I know that sounds like a big topic and it is. That's why I have headings to give you the bullet points 😂

We didn't intend to start a business. We had an obsession and we followed it.

We often say that we started Condimaniac by accident and it's true. This all started at a BBQ in our garden in South London after a few beers. I've been obsessed with condiments my whole life, so inspired by Jen's pictures she'd been taking of our dog's food (that's another story), I started an account that did in depth reviews of sauces.

I think this is the way it should be done. I have a hearty dislike of 'serial entrepreneurs' who 'find a gap in the market'. In my mind you should pursue your passions and try to find other people that share them. You might not start the next Apple, but you will be more fulfilled.

If you're interested in this as a subject I actually wrote a whole book about it. I promise you I had no plans to sell anything when I started this email but it is relevant 😅 

Sorry, check out my book

Even after starting the business it took us years to find true 'purpose'.

I know purpose is a buzz word but sometimes words buzz for a reason. It's the best word to use. 

Me and Jen had come from backgrounds in music and marketing and we knew we wanted to do something 'cool'. I even think in our hearts we knew what we wanted the business to be, but sometimes it takes years just to be able to articulate to other people how you feel.

Now we don't have a mission, but we made a vow (because that's more emo) and that vow is:

To earn condiments the respect they deserve by revolutionising the market.

Nothing major then 😂 But it does sum up why we're doing this. We both believe that condiments are the underdogs of the food world. They are SO important, they make or break a meal, but they don't get the attention of a wagyu beef steak or the snobby adoration of a nice wine.

So that's what we aim to do. Make cool stuff that's interesting and share that with likeminded legends around the world.

Now we're determined to achieve sauce supremacy and overcome the supermarket scam...

"Sauce Supremacy and the Supermarket Scam" sounds like a band name doesn't it? 😂

Seriously though, I use the supermarket. Most of us have to as we don't have enough money to buy all our food in farm shops (as much as I'd like to). We just don't want OUR products to be in the supermarket. Here's why.

Supermarkets are designed to feed the masses. I mean the clue is in the name 😅 Their business model is to buy lots of a few things at a very low price, mark it up and then sell shed loads to everyone.

And if you're happy with Tommy K and no other joy in your life, then that's fine! Crack on. But as we've established we enjoy selling interesting stuff, to people that are just as obsessed as we are. So by default the supermarket stops being the place to do that. As their job is to buy in tried and tested lines with mass appeal.

The result though is good for us! As supermarkets tend to have a limited selection, which means we can make the things that either too expensive or too bonkers for the supermarkets to touch.

And that my friends, is how we found our business model. 

Want a hot sauce made from British grown chillies? We're for you. Want to make your roast potatoes taste list dry roasted peanuts? Yep that us again.

Want another bottle of tomato ketchup? Aldi is good. I like it more than Tesco.

Thanks for reading this essay. I hope it was interesting.