What Running a Gifting Business Taught Me
Three lessons that shaped my business
My DMs and inbox frequently get messages from people who want to start their own gifting business, looking for advice, mentorship, and coaching. While I’m flattered, I don’t have the bandwidth to offer one-on-one guidance right now—but I thought this blog would be a great place to share some lessons I’ve learned.
Starting a small business was new and exciting, but also humbling. Looking back now, three years in, I've learned a few key lessons the hard way that I hope other budding entrepreneurs can benefit from.
1. Holding back too much
I was shy about putting myself out there, worried I’d annoy people by talking about gifting all the time, or that my business wouldn’t be taken seriously. The truth? If you don’t share your passion, no one else will. Learning to speak confidently about what you do—not apologetically—was a game-changer.
2. Saying yes to everything
Early on, I made the mistake of trying to please everyone—saying yes to every project, even when it didn’t align with my goals. Looking back, I’ve learned that not every opportunity is worth pursuing. It’s more than okay to politely decline projects that don’t fit your vision—otherwise, you risk stretching yourself too thin and watering down your brand. One of the greatest perks of being your own boss is the freedom to choose: the projects you want to take on, the clients you want to work with, and ultimately, how you want to shape your business.
3. Underestimating the importance of systems and processes
Even with a project management background, I didn’t invest in the right tools early on to streamline workflows for ordering, tracking, and delivering gifts. This led to unnecessary stress and last-minute scrambling. Implementing clear systems and procedures from the start not only saves time, and reduces mistakes, but also helps set expectations for your clients. By clearly communicating what to expect next, they become familiar with the process and timeline you’re working under, which builds trust and makes the entire experience smoother for everyone.
Takeaways:
Speak confidently about your business; your passion is part of the value you offer.
Stay aligned with your vision—saying no is just as important as saying yes.
Build strong systems and processes from the start to stay organized.
Running a business can be messy and unpredictable, but it’s also very rewarding and fun. Every challenge, mistake, and success has been a lesson that has shaped the way I work today. The key is to keep learning, stay true to your vision, and celebrate the big and small wins along the way—because those are the moments that make it all worth it.