Crawley mum starts business delivering vegan sweets from her home

A sweet-toothed Crawley woman has treated herself to a new career following motherhood by setting up a business from her home during lockdown.
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Jodie Mortimer has been on a sugar high since founding sweet delivery company Kind Candy in May, and so far it’s been going down a treat with customers.

From fizzy skulls to creamy fudge, all of Jodie’s sweets are 100 per cent vegan and wrapped in plastic-free and biodegradeable packaging.

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“The sweets I have you can’t get in the supermarket, and you wouldn’t get biodegrabeable bags either,” said the 37-year-old.

Jodie Mortimer from Crawley has started her own vegan sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-135001001Jodie Mortimer from Crawley has started her own vegan sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-135001001
Jodie Mortimer from Crawley has started her own vegan sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-135001001

“The idea behind the kind is about being kind to yourself, the animals, the planet, the environment.

“Kind Candy reflects my choice to be happy.”

Having started a family in 2015, Jodie struggled hugely in finding an identity that balanced motherhood, independence, wellbeing and her deep-rooted passion for creativity.

She wanted a career that she not only enjoyed, but something that could fit around her family.

Pencils are included, alongside the doodle sheet, in an order for a childPencils are included, alongside the doodle sheet, in an order for a child
Pencils are included, alongside the doodle sheet, in an order for a child
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“I’ve got two small boys aged four and five, prior to them I had one or two jobs as an adult and stayed with those jobs,” she said.

“Since having the children it’s completely thrown me in different ways. After coming back from maternity leave – there is only a 14 month gap between my boys – it was tough trying to find work that would fit around them but also something that was fulfilling.

I think I’ve had around seven jobs since I’ve been a parent. I’ve done all sorts – Sainsbury’s, working in a school, working in a cake shop.

“But you only have one life and you have to try and make it work. Quite selfishly, you have to make it work for you as well.

Crawley mum Jodie Mortimer has started a new sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-103353001Crawley mum Jodie Mortimer has started a new sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-103353001
Crawley mum Jodie Mortimer has started a new sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-103353001
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“You’re not just a parent, you’re still the person you were before and I think that’s always the thing I’ve struggled with.

“The boys are both at school now which is why I’ve been able to go for it.”

The business is run from a spare room in Jodie’s house which she moved into in November, and from there she puts together big sharing bags of sweets, jars of sweets and gift boxes as well as letter box gifts which can be delivered straight through customers’ doors.

She sources the sweets from wholesalers, and decided to make sure everything was vegan after becoming vegan herself at Christmas.

Crawley mum Jodie Mortimer has started a new sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-103433001Crawley mum Jodie Mortimer has started a new sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-103433001
Crawley mum Jodie Mortimer has started a new sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-103433001
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She said: “I changed my diet and it was much easier to do than I thought. The more you look at see about the dairy and meat industry, it just makes you more determined to stay away and makes me really proud.

“When I decided to do my vegan sweets I ordered off of some of my competitors and when the sweets came, I was very curious about them. But they are just the same as regular sweets without all the nasties.”

She also wanted the sweets to be enjoyed by everyone which is why she introduced a gluten free vegan range.

“When I started I did everything, but now I’ve narrowed it down to my own mixes,” explained Jodie.

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“For example, watermelon sugar is a mix of sweets that I’ve created so everything in that bag is based around watermelon.

“I also have a strawberry and lemon cheesecake selection, to try and make it slightly different from my competitors.

Crawley mum Jodie Mortimer has started a new sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-103229001Crawley mum Jodie Mortimer has started a new sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-103229001
Crawley mum Jodie Mortimer has started a new sweet delivery company called Kind Candy SUS-200211-103229001

“It seems to be working quite well and it’s something I want to continue to do.

“We also do fudge. Everybody has said how amazing the fudge is, and compared to dairy fudge, they’ve said it’s much creamier, and lighter and tastier.

“Everybody loves our packaging as well.”

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The Kind Candy pouches are made from cellulose film – the substance that makes up most of a plant’s cell walls – which is not only biodegradable, but can also be used for making your own compost from home.

The clear bags are made from NatureFlex which is a compostable film made from wood pulp and is made from renewable, sustainable sources.

“We only use plastic-free labels made with 100 per cent recycled waste paper and printed with vegan printer ink. They have been certified for compostability and can be recycled.

“Some of our sweet selections come in reusable jars – handy to keep for future sweets and treats, and can be used for multi-purpose.

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“Our Kind Candy gift boxes don’t only come with a funky, fun design, but are are made from recyclable and biodegradable cardboard.

“It does cost quite a bit extra to be able to provide that type of packaging compared to plastic, but we don’t want plastic in our business.”

Jodie’s brother Darren Wells, who runs Sussex-based Digitopia Design, has created the Kind Candy website and branding, while her brother-in-law Chris Mortimer, who is a tattoo artist, has designed the doodle sheets which go out with every order.

Jodie also includes a little pack of pencils for children’s orders.

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“The doodle sheet was something I wanted to do personally because of my journey, and getting to the point where I am after struggling quite a lot with becoming a parent,” she said.

“What we’ve got on them are lots of positive pictures and words that people can colour in and just take some time out of the day to focus as doodling has lots of benefits for your mind.

“It’s just a little extra gift from us to our customers.”

The letterbox gifts can also be bespokely designed, and Jodie also includes handwritten, personalised messages on a postcard.

Jodie’s sons Lincoln, aged five, and four-year-old Ezra enjoy giving the postal bags to the Royal Mail postman who visits Jodie’s house every day to collect her orders.

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“I think to get something like that through the post is the best thing because the person receiving it doesn’t know and it’s a surprise. That’s one of things over lockdown that was lovely, just seeing people gifting and being kind.”

Jodie has always had a passion for design and also has many years’ experience in events, hosting stalls teaching biscuit decorating at parties and events, and previously launching a successful baking business.

It was here that her love of sweets was reignited.

“I think I’ve always liked sweets, and it’s not just the taste but the look of them. All the different shapes and patterns. They look lovely.

“One of my fondest childhood memories was our family’s monthly ‘pay day’ when my late dad would bring home a small, slightly crumpled paper bag, that was filled to the top with a surprise selection of pick and mix.

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“In that moment, every time, the humble sweets sparked such joy, excitement and happiness for me!

“The sense of gratitude, met with sweet self-indulgence. ‘Pay day’ sweets have provided me with such comfort over the years – reminding me also, that a sweet treat every now and then really is okay.”

Despite starting her business during lockdown, Jodie has had lots of positive feedback from customers and even held a stall at Vegan Fest Horsham in October.

She has also just started supplying her vegan fudge to a new coffee hub called Ridleys which is situated at Worth Park.

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She is hoping to introduce a subscription service for Kind Candy in the near future, as well as a click and collect option through her website.

“I would also like to get into shops, but again at the moment that’s quite tricky because of what’s going on.

“I’ve just started up doing my baking again just to help with cash flow because it’s really tough. It’s really tricky with the sweets as it’s really hard to find an audience and that’s what I’m still learning.

“I think supporting local businesses, especially now, is really important.”

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Through her baking business Cookie Jar Sussex, Jodie is now supplying cakes and cookies to the Lakeside Cafe in Tilgate Park and to a new business in Handcross high street called Jo.Co, which will remain open during the new lockdown providing take away service to the community.

Kind Candy was given a five star food hygiene rating on September 17 by Crawley Borough Council.

For more information, visit https://www.kind-candy.co.uk/ or find Kind Candy on Facebook or Instagram.