Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Coleman.
Hi Jasmine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always been a creature of resilience… Being born to drug-addicted parents, therefore growing up in the foster care system, I have had to quickly learn the importance of flexibility and adaption to unexpected change.
Gifts Galore Custom Wrapping Solutions was born out of exactly that.. I had worked a retail job in the back cash office, for a large chain department store for 7 years… and was abruptly let go. But a skill that I’d acquired, while there was gift wrap, because we had to double as customer service reps. So, on January 31, 2011, after being terminated, I came home, sat at the computer and started applying for jobs (and unemployment).
I also had to come up with a way to keep making money in the interim. The idea of wrapping gifts came to mind and I realized that I was really good at it! The business name IMMEDIATELY came to mind and in about 3 hours I had created a new business! What began as a way to “make extra money” became a discovery of gifted passion and a journey of relative creativity.
10 years and HUNDREDS of gifts later, we not only still get to wrap the gifts that you love to give, but we have evolved to include Baby Shower Baby Name Boxes, Personalized Gift Bags, Party Card Holders Prop Boxes for themed photoshoots and Event Centerpieces.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building a business is not for the faint at heart!!!! There is SO much to learn, and so much that you will sacrifice along the way, IF you are serious. But the biggest struggle was definitely believing in myself to be able to create and to actually make this into a legit business!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Gifts Galore is a boutique, in the sense that we create custom wrapping solutions Until this day we have only ever been given color themes… other than that, each customer has always given us full creative control. We are known for the mixing and matching of prints and patterns… and our unique way of making each gift personal.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The biggest lesson learned in this pandemic is to love out loud… And, to be intentional with thoughts of and checking in with your loved ones. We lost so many people during this national disaster, around the world and much closer to home. I lost my mom in September of 2020 and that was the hardest thing in a time that was already hard…
Contact Info:
- Email: info@giftsgalorecustom.com
- Website: www.giftsgalorecustom.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/customwrappingsolutions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gifts.galore.96
