CJ's Stix - Chocolate Dipped Pretzels Hand Rolled In English Toffee

Where does time go - it seems like the days start blending together and next thing you know, we have the first big rainfall of the season (totally out of character for this time of year in Northern CA) and the reality of the looming winter season hits you! But with the winter season comes all of those wonderful holidays and get togethers. We have been working on the 2009 Holiday season months ago - we've already started planning for Valentines 2010 and beyond. But let's not get ahead of ourselves - we hope that our fans and customers will consider CJ's Stix and CJ's Bitz for their holiday season giving needs.

As a small business, we are always networking and talking to other small business owners. This is a tough economic time, we all feel it, but we are all so passionate about what we do and what we make. We hope that you consider us on your gift giving list - supporting our family business and our wonderful products.

Just in LA last weekend for the LA Chocolate Salon - thanks to my friend Jewels who joined in the chocolate-mania and even after the sweet tooth, found time to document her experience on a video blog. Check it out!

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I often hear people say that during a rough day, trying to find an excuse to settle down with a glass of wine or cocktail. I think the same can be said about eating a special treat - perhaps something chocolate?! I started thinking more about this concept and started to do a bit of research, maybe more like excuses on when and why you should eat chocolate. We'd like to think that you don't need an excuse - everything in moderation....right? But if you need one - here are some interesting holidays or celebrations that will give you the "ok" to eat more chocolate. Most of these are self explanatory and I'd also love to know who comes up with these days. Don't be surprised if you see fun "Specials" on our website to help celebrate these unconventional holidays. Sign up for our updates/newsletters to get the most up-to-date information.

• October 17 - Sweetest Day!
• October 28 - National Chocolate Day
• November - the WHOLE month is National Peanut Butter Lover's Month
• December 16 - National Chocolate Covered anything day! This is a good one...
• January 8 - English Toffee Day
• April 26 - National Pretzel Day
• June - the WHOLE month is National Candy Month - life is good.....
• July 28 - National Milk Chocolate Day
  

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We've had a busy summer at Marin Chef Headquarters in Northern California.  Juggling family and business is always a curious situation and as a mom of 2 wonderful children, ages 9 and 11, I sometimes feel the pressure of trying to do it all.  But the one thing that I can say with confidence is that I am truly behind our product and am passionate about what we are doing as a family business.  How do you get it all done and still grow a business in a tough economy?  Let me tell you it can be hard.  Each member of our team (family) wears many hats, some days more hats than can fit on your head!  We are thankful for those companies that have continued to support us and those that have faith in our product as much as we do.  Please consider supporting these local businesses that support us!

We've been doing many projects behind the scenes throughout the summer months.  We recently finished up the Kosher Certification of our complete product line.  We were thrilled to have this completed at our manufacturing facility, it only reiterates our continued commitment to the product and to open up our product  to many more consumers.

I am learning all about Social Media and how our company needs to be a part of this crucial marketing trend.  Please don't forget to become a FAN of CJ's Stix and CJ's Bitz on FaceBook .  Visit us and tell us your favorite flavor of our product

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We were happy to be apart of the 21st Birthday Celebration for Lacey Schwimmer.  We found out that she was partial to the Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate CJ's Bitz!  She celebrated her birthday on Saturday, June 27th at Deck 5 in Los Angeles.

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CJs Bitz was proud to be a part of the Broadway debut of Chandra Wilson (known for her role in Greys Anatomy as Dr. Bailey) in the play, Chicago. We were approached by a great organization called Hot Moms Club,check out their website to learn more about their organization.

Here you will find the link that showcases the information about the premier and all the items (including our CJs Bitz) in this goody bag

http://hotmomsclub.com/gallery/1465

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Here are some of the pictures from the event - hope you enjoy!

This is Ali Landry - she is former Miss USA and might be best recognized as the "Doritos" Girl from the Super Bowl Ads in the late 90's. Who knows, maybe she will be the "Bitz Girl" for us?

Here is a picture of Jason Hervey (the Wonder Years) and Scott Baio

Beverley Mitchell - who can forget Lucy Camden on 7th Heaven

Jai Rodriguez from the hit Bravo TV series - Queer Eye for the Straight Guy - he was a gem!

Candis Cayne is best known for her role in Dirty Sexy Money - the first transgender actor in a TV Show - bottom line, she loved the product!

Natasha Alam - how adorable is she, a model and actress, recent work may be seen on CSI and Entourage. She is landing the best role right now - a soon-to-be-mom!

Tara Reid - well, she loved the product

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I don't spend lots of time in Southern California, but after our last trip to LA, we might need to share more love in LA - the CJ's Bitz love that is....

CJ's Bitz was one of the 20 vendors that participated in the 2009 Silver Spoon Dog and Baby Buffet. I know, you are thinking - dogs, babies and CJ's Bitz - how does that all fit together? There is a whole world down in LA that I was unaware of - its the world of celebrity gifting. I know, many of you have said to me "really, celebrities getting free stuff, can't they afford to buy it".

Before I tell you more about the event - let me tell you the reality of the game with a "real scene - not played by actors" - popular celebrity actor "Jai" tries your product, really loves it (not just saying it ... I know they are actors), has a long conversation with you on ideas of marketing, they would love to give out as holiday gifts, guess what - "I have a good friend that works on the Ellen show - I can't wait to tell them about it - Ellen HAS to try these", gives you personal email, takes a picture holding your product, he gets a couple boxes of CJ's Bitz to take home...and hopefully the story ends as happily ever after!

Now I get to use the pictures, quotes, follow up on email and more - the power of celebrity endorsements and connections - it really only takes one. Look at Oprah, she eats, reads, wears or looks at something and it rises to the top. How can I help tell the world how good our treats are? This is one way - Celebrity Events.

So, back to the event....The Silver Spoon Dog and Baby Buffet. The event had a focus on Dog products and Baby products, but also showcased some fabulous gourmet chocolate products (okay - that was me!). Celebrities came with babies (both in hand and in-utero) and dogs. The event was co-sponsored by the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation - a non-profit that seeks to raise awareness and offer support to families with children suffering from organic acidemia metabolic disorders - money was raised as a donation to this charity!

20 Vendors - Celebrities, press and other people in the So.Cal scene ascended on the Hyatt in Century City. They moved from booth to booth, talking with the vendors, trying the products and picking out what they would take home. I was pleasantly surprised at the thoughtful and appreciative approach that they took chatting with us, many talking about future opportunities. Some of the highlights and celebrities of the day included:

Jason Priestly (and his sweet wife Naomi), Scott Baio, Alexander DiPersia, Caroline D'Amore, Jai Rodriguez, Tara Reid, Ali Landry, Samantha Harris, Sam Ruben, Mayim Bialik, April O'Brien, Natasha Alam, Shondrella Avery, Candice Cayne, Beverley Mitchell, Pascal Mouawad, Brittny & Lisa Gastineau, Lynn Curin and Jason Hervey.

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Melissa Rivers,current celebrity star on Donald Trumps "The Celebrity Apprentice:" and Joan Rivers daughter - is a FAN of CJ's Bitz!  Melissa also emailed us on FaceBook stating she will be happy to become a "fan" on our page!

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It was quite an experience this past weekend....I don't think we were prepared for the amazing time that we had at the SF Chocolate Salon on Saturday, March 21 at Fort Mason.  We arrived to set up around 8:45 on Saturday morning.  Now we knew that there were going to be 50+ vendors all tasting and showcasing chocolate, but it wasn't until you see everyone setting up that you realize how much chocolate was in that hall - those were some serious calories!  20 minutes before the Salon was to open, there was already a "buzz" at the door and the lines of chocolate lovers were growing, pouring outside of the building and down the street.  Then the doors opened and the people started flooding in - based on our table position, we were on the left hand isle, so people naturally started on the right hand side and worked their way down the isle, tasting, talking and everyone had smiles on their face!  I realized that at this point - Herbst Pavillion was the Happiest Place in the Bay Area!

We went through an amazing amount of samples and product - we thank ALL of you who waited patiently  as we scrambled back to our warehouse to bring more product since we had sold out at 1pm with 5 hours still left in the day!  

This is what I enjoyed most about the day (well a couple of things).  When people would come up for a "taste" we'd tell them its a Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rolled in Toffee....they'd seem a bit hesitant at first, thinking, can't be that good - then you'd watch their face - classic!  Eyes would get big and you can see the pleasant surprise look on their face!  Then they would tell us what they thought (people were full of all sorts of comments)

"Homemade Sin" - Vivian from Temecula, CA (which I understand has an amazing amount of wineries and a great place to visit)

"a party in my mouth of unexpected flavors"  - Lindsey from SF

"the best kept secret in the bay area" - Michael from Alameda (let's not keep it that way Michael!)

The other thing that I really enjoyed about the day, talking to everyone!  Part of owning your own business is that coming to shows like this, you get to meet your customers/fans - hear what they have to say - find out who they are.   

Thanks to Megan Reilly - just the nicest person - she is the "owner" of a blog that focuses on Chocolate and Coffee (what a combo) - here is what she had to say about us at the show (I also used her picture from the event to show the crowd)

What we heard from many people was that we were a favorite at the show - unexpected and a great candy/snack!  We look forward to hearing from the Taste TV folks to see if we were winners in any of the judges categories.

Congratulations to Jodie Stowe from Menlo Park - she is the winner of our CJ's Bitz and CJ's Stix Gift Basket!

Lastly - if you are fan of FaceBook - please make sure that you go to our page and become a FAN of CJ's Stix and CJ's Bitz - thanks in advance

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Well, I never thought that I would see something like this!  I found in my mail today, a nice envelope with a newspaper clip inside.  I read the note and was looking all over the paper for an article about us....well it wasn't an article - it was a comic strip!  I think its hilarious and will be framed and put in the office!  Thanks to the Novato Advance for its creativity!  Thanks to my friends Katie & Sarah Cooper for sharing and to all of you who support us!!!

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