Inspiring Conversations with Erin Zwigart of Georgia Crafted

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Zwigart.

Hi Erin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Georgia Crafted started the way a lot of great ideas do — over a glass of wine and a conversation. Back in May of 2013, I was talking with my husband about how much I loved the idea of shopping local, but how hard it could be to actually find authentic Georgia-made products all in one place. I kept thinking, there has to be an easier way.

So I decided to create it.

Georgia Crafted officially launched in September 2013 with a simple mission: make it easy to discover amazing products made right here in Georgia while supporting the small businesses and makers behind them. We began by curating everything from food and snacks to bath, body, and home goods, focusing on quality, story, and giftability.

What started in my basement has grown into a full operation with a warehouse in Doraville where our team now packs and ships orders every day. Along the way, we expanded into ready-to-ship themed gift boxes for people who need a thoughtful gift fast, while also growing our online marketplace to feature more than 150 Georgia-made products.

Today, we create gifts for individuals and companies of all sizes. Whether it’s a birthday, a welcome gift, a client thank-you, or a large corporate order, the heart behind it is the same — helping people give something meaningful while supporting local makers and strengthening our community.

One of the most exciting milestones in our journey has been acquiring Things UnCommon, which originally started as one of our vendors. Bringing that brand into our family has allowed us to grow in new creative directions while still staying true to our roots of thoughtful, locally inspired gifting.

I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, but even more excited about where we’re headed.

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?
I always laugh a little at this question, because I don’t know a single small business owner who would ever describe entrepreneurship as a smooth road. 😉

Have there been challenges? Absolutely. Building awareness, earning customer trust, managing growth, navigating changing retail trends, and figuring out what works (and what doesn’t) has all been part of the journey.

In the early days, I was doing everything myself — sourcing products, packing boxes, answering emails, marketing, bookkeeping — you name it. As we’ve grown, the challenges have evolved. Now it’s about scaling responsibly, supporting more makers, reaching new customers, and continuing to improve the experience both online and in corporate gifting.

But here’s the truth: it has also been an incredibly good road.

We’ve had the privilege of working with amazing Georgia makers, building relationships with customers who come back again and again, and watching an idea that started in my basement turn into a real, thriving operation with a warehouse and a growing team.

Every obstacle has taught us something and pushed us to become better and more creative. And while we still have big goals for where we want to go, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and grateful for everyone who has supported us along the way.

We’ve been impressed with Georgia Crafted, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At its core, Georgia Crafted exists to make shopping local simple, beautiful, and incredibly giftable.

We curate high-quality food, snacks, bath & body products, and home goods made by talented Georgia makers and bring them together in one convenient place. Customers can shop individual products in our online marketplace or choose from thoughtfully designed themed gift boxes that are ready to ship for occasions like birthdays, client thank-yous, welcome gifts, holidays, and more.

Over the years, we’ve become especially known for our corporate gifting programs. Companies love working with us because we help them give gifts that feel personal and meaningful while also supporting small businesses across the state. We handle everything — sourcing, packing, branding touches, and shipping — which makes the process easy and stress-free.

What really sets us apart is that every item has a story. These aren’t mass-produced products; they’re created by real people, in real communities, with incredible care behind them. When someone gives a Georgia Crafted gift, they’re not just sending stuff — they’re sharing a piece of Georgia and directly impacting the makers who pour their hearts into what they create.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we’ve stayed true to our mission from day one. Even as we’ve grown from packing boxes in my basement to operating out of a warehouse, our focus is still on celebrating local, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating gifts that people are excited to receive.

If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s this: when you shop with Georgia Crafted, you make gift giving easy and you make a difference.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of staying true to your original mission while building real relationships along the way.

From day one, Georgia Crafted has been about supporting local makers and making it easier for people to shop local. As opportunities, trends, and ideas come and go, I’ve learned that coming back to that “why” helps guide every decision we make. If something doesn’t align with our purpose, it’s probably not the right fit.

I’ve also learned that this business is built on people. The relationships with our makers, our customers, and our corporate partners are everything. When people know us, trust us, and understand the heart behind what we do, they come back and they tell others. That kind of loyalty can’t be manufactured — it’s earned over time.

At the end of the day, products matter, but relationships are what truly grow a brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.georgiacrafted.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiacrafted
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgiacrafted