‘Our one-bed flat is currently a warehouse’

WHEN Caroline Haegeman started a PhD in cancer research at Imperial College London, little did she know a curveball career change was around the corner. In March, the 25-year-old found herself at home 24 hours a day when all of her research was suspended. Whilst trying to think of interesting things to do with her partner Jai, she came up with the idea of date night service Box42.

‘As a couple, we were really missing our date nights. Every two weeks we would go out for dinner or do something special, which in London is easy. With not many options at home, we had exhausted cooking a meal or watching a movie by May, and realised there was a gap in the market.’

The boxes have a new theme each month such as fun fair, casino or Tuscan pottery, and each one contains snacks, drinks, accessories, a curated playlist and activities. Customers can subscribe to a monthly box or buy a one-off treat.

Caroline had never run a business before and had to learn everything on the go, from developing a website, to social media advertising, to sourcing independent products.

Within just six months Caroline had sent out more than 550 boxes and she had generated a £9,000 turnover. ‘Our one-bed flat is currently a warehouse. I can hardly get into the bedroom there are so many boxes.’ Box42 has seen a spike in demand during the second lockdown. Caroline recently hired her first two employees and is ready to move the company into its own premises.

‘I am in the final year of my PhD now but I am planning go full-time. It is beyond what we dreamed and it’s nice to provide others with jobs.’ thebox42. co.uk