Hello First name / friend, 

So, I've been keeping a little secret and perhaps owe you a bit of an explanation. Well maybe not ‘owe’ because you may not even care but here I am updating you anyway. The past few months have been full on. I'm not even going to say the word ‘busy’ because I bloody hate it when people say they're busy but it's been hectic to say the least.

A year ago things were in turmoil globally, the pandemic was in full swing and we were in lockdown. My business got completely flipped upside down and I essentially started again with a brand new direction. 

At the time it was nerve wracking, intense, scary and all the other anxiety inducing things but it was also really exciting and it felt so dam right for me and for my business. 

Since then we have been full steam ahead, new branding, new positioning, new products, new passion and purpose. 

The universe said “hang on love, I'm not done with you yet" and threw me another massive curve ball, this time in the human form. You know when you meet someone and at the time you're just being polite, making small talk, entertaining their invitations to catch up, waving when you see them across the carpark and then next minute you're picking each others kids up from school, meeting the extended family, going to six60 concerts and starting a business with them.

Yeah, happens all the time right?

Well no, it only seems to happen that way for me, just when things are feeling settled, content and ‘going to plan’ the universe wants to turn things upside down again.

Interestingly for the past 4 months all I've been doing is exactly what I am trying to encourage and inspire you to do through my brand, be brave. I've had challenging conversations with my husband, my family, my friends and my new business partner. I've had to make some pretty scary decisions about the future of my business and ultimately about the future I want to create for my family.

It's been pretty full on and at times I wasn't sure I had the balls to go through with it but alas here I am writing you a bloody essay all about it.  

When I relaunched I set some pretty hefty goals and made some pretty significant promises to myself around what I would achieve with this little brand. The reality is that it's going to take me a really really long time to achieve those things on my own and I don't know about you but after the year we've had I'm not really that interested in the super super long term anymore!

I've also come to realise that Solopreneurship really is a pretty lonely old solo road that I'd much rather go down with someone else. So over the next few months there'll be a few changes happening. Most of them will be behind the scenes to start with but rest assured I am still here making sure every single part of your M&TB experience is still the same (if not better)

Firstly and most excitingly I have a new business partner. If you're a Papamoa/ Mount local or a surfer you may know him, otherwise don't worry you'll get to know him well over the next few months. 

I'll introduce you to Todd in more detail in another email but essentially him and I met at The Little Big Markets and it wasn't long before we realised our businesses, purpose and work ethic were very very similar. 

Things will be happening in phases to allow us time to get everything right. It's a pretty messy and complicated process we're about to go through but that's why the numbers and legal people get paid the big bucks right!

You can still shop with us via www.meandthebrave.com or at the markets PLUS as of the 1st April you can also purchase M&TB products via Todd's surf label www.noxen.co.nz.

You may notice the email addresses we use change, don't worry it will always, always be an email directly from me, no robots will be making their way into my payroll!

Over the next few weeks we'll be sharing all the details of our new business (don't worry Me & the Brave isn't going anywhere!) and giving you exclusive access to new products, loyalty rewards, sales and so much more.

I can't wait for it all to unravel and come to life, once again I'm facing the unknown but I'm pretty excited about the next chapter for M&TB and for me. If you've persevered and managed to get this far, thank you. It means a-lot to have your support!