Bestowe Gifting
About the Company
Bestowe Gifting provides a personalized gifting experience, focusing on artisanal, small-batch products. The company bridges the gap between corporate gifting and meaningful connections, catering to businesses seeking thoughtful alternatives to standard branded merchandise. Catherine incorporated a concierge service to meet corporate and event demands for custom gifting, allowing businesses to forge stronger relationships with clients and employees through unique, locally sourced items. Bestowe Gifting also supports charitable organizations, reinforcing its commitment to ethical and social accountability.
Idea Behind Company
Catherine's journey began in graphic design, where uninspiring projects prompted her to consider entrepreneurship. A non-profit venture, Local Social, introduced her to artisans and inspired her interest in community-focused projects. Years later, an event with entrepreneurial women ignited her resolve to create something aligned with her passions. Recognizing the growing demand for quality, unique gifts that foster connections, she combined her design expertise with her love for curated products, laying the foundation for Bestowe Gifting.
Creating the Company
Transforming the idea into a business required both creativity and strategic planning. Catherine enlisted a business coach, secured a $20,000 loan from her father, and focused on building a strong brand message. She conducted extensive research, sourced products from artisans across the U.S., and developed 20 initial gift collections. With her background in packaging design, Catherine ensured that every product was beautifully presented. Despite limited resources, she launched a robust e-commerce site and formed valuable partnerships, such as offering gifts for a local conference, to generate early traction.
Launching the Business
Launching Bestowe Gifting involved overcoming steep learning curves, including mastering SEO, online advertising, and customer engagement. While Facebook ads proved costly, organic SEO and strategic partnerships brought success. Catherine prioritized community engagement, showcasing her products at events and fostering relationships with event planners and affiliates. She also invested in content creation, photography, and blog writing to establish Bestowe as a trusted brand. By leveraging these strategies, Catherine built a loyal customer base and expanded into custom gifting for corporate events, which now comprises most of her sales.
Earnings
Bestowe Gifting has grown steadily, earning $12,000 monthly, with two-thirds of sales coming from custom gifting. Catherine has reinvested profits into improving operations, such as hiring freelancers and planning for a fulfillment warehouse. She balances this growth with her design career and family, aiming to eventually transition Bestowe into her primary source of income. Through organic growth, strategic investments, and community involvement, Catherine is achieving her vision of blending artistry with meaningful connections while supporting artisans and charitable causes.
