Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Edmonds.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey started with an Entrepreneurship class while in grad school at the University of Georgia. As a part of the class, I competed in (and won!) a pitch competition using my idea for a reusable gift wrap concept called Lilywrap, I successfully brought that product to market in 2012 – learning a lot along the way about prototypes, wholesale, manufacturing and more.
Fast forward a few years, and my brother Brian is co-founded Gate City Brewery in Roswell, Georgia. Back when he first started brewing his own beer, I would gift it to friends to help get the word out. The problem was – I could never find anything other than used 6-pack cartons to put the gift in. The presentation was terrible! There were so many gift packaging options for wine, but I could never find anything specifically created for beer. Given the rise in the craft beer market, I was surprised and instantly motivated to create something myself drawing on my experience in launching Lilywrap.
Beer Greetings started with our patented 6-pack carrier box with a built-in greeting card and then extended the line to include Big Bottle Gift Tags designed for gifting growlers and larger 22oz bottles of specialty beers. While the original intention was for these products to be used when gifting beer – our customers are so creative and use them to gift a curated selection of all sorts of items – from small batch BBQ sauces and salsas to soaps and lotions to rolled up tea towels and food goodies. Some customers have even used them as centerpieces with flowers at brewery-based events. It’s so fun to see how our product is being used!
We are now sold in stores nationwide – from small boutiques to The Container Store as well as on our website and Amazon. We’ve received several awards including Best New Product Award by the National Stationery Show in 2016 and selection into the prestigious Design Debut section of the International Housewares Show in 2018. We’ve been featured in a range of media including US Weekly, Real Simple and Beer Advocate.
Has it been a smooth road?
Any entrepreneur will tell you that there are always unforeseen hiccups along the way. I was fortunate with Beer Greetings because I already had experience in the consumer products industry thanks to my previous product, Lilywrap. I was able to have a quicker, smoother launch for Beer Greetings thanks to all I learned with Lilywrap.
That being said, it’s a different product and I had more to learn – and sometimes that learning is costly. Expensive trade shows that don’t turn out to be a good fit. Production delays at crucial times. Quality control issues from our manufacturer. I’ve experienced all of those and more – every day brings a new challenge!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Beer Greetings – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Smartsy Brands, which includes Beer Greetings and Lilywrap, specializes in providing innovative solutions to everyday problems – big or small, silly or serious. Our products and brands are all born from our own personal lives with lots of input from our customers, family and friends.
With craft beer quickly becoming the go-to gift for any occasion – from birthdays to a simple congrats or thanks. Beer Greetings cards combine the gift of beer with a greeting card and fun message from the giver and are a natural complement to existing “Pick Six” programs at supermarkets and package stores.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Forever I love Atlanta. I love how the city has so many unique neighborhoods – each with their own vibe. I love that you can be in the city or in a tree-filled park in a matter of minutes. I love the restaurants. I love the arts. I love that you can be at the beach, lake or mountains all in a couple hours drive. Most of all, I love the people. Southern hospitality is real.
What I don’t like? The traffic. Does anyone?
Pricing:
- Six-Pack Greeting Card Boxes – $4.95 each
- Big Bottle Gift Tags – Great for 22oz Bomber Bottles + Growlers – $2.95 each
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beergreetings.com
- Phone: 4048478731
- Email: info@smartsyonline.com
- Instagram: @beergreetings
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/beergreetings
- Twitter: @beergreetings
- Other: http://amzn.to/2BKgt5Q
Image credit:
CatMax Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
