Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cynthia Shinn, Co-Owner of My Gifting Sister, located in Murrieta, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a gift box business that showcases and supports products made by amazing and talented women-owned businesses. Our seasonal gift boxes are carefully curated with unique and high-quality items that we sample and use ourselves. Our goal is to provide a convenient solution for busy women who want to give thoughtful and meaningful gifts without the hassle of searching for and wrapping them themselves. In addition to our curated gift boxes, we also offer a range of beautiful accessories to create a truly unique and personalized gifting experience for their loved ones or for themselves. Our target customers are busy women, "Sisters," who are looking for a unique and meaningful gift to celebrate the important women in their lives.
Tell us about yourself
I am one of the co-owners of My Gifting Sister. Our business was created by three sisters who share a passion for gift-giving and the importance of sisterhood. As we grew older and each of us moved away to start our own lives, it became increasingly difficult to stay connected and find ways to show our love and appreciation for one another. We started scheduling sister weekends, and gift-giving quickly became a highlight of our visits. We realized that gift-giving is the love language of sisters, and we wanted to create a business that would allow other women to experience this feeling with the sisters in their lives. That's how My Gifting Sister was born.
Our ultimate goal is to make the gift-giving experience for our customers as easy, affordable, and enjoyable as possible while providing unique and memorable gift options. We strive to take the stress and hassle out of gift-giving by curating high-quality gift boxes and offering a range of beautiful accessories and sister favorites that add to the overall experience. What motivates us each day is the idea of bringing happiness, connection, and lasting memories through gifting. We take pride in the fact that our gift boxes help our customers celebrate the important women and moments in their lives and make them feel special and loved. Sharing in the happiness and appreciation of our customers is what drives us to keep working hard and improving our business each day. To make the process of giving and receiving gifts fun and exciting for everyone involved.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Serving our customers with a beautiful, high-quality gift that is ready to be shipped for them for any occasion. It's an honor for us to share in those precious moments of gifting and to be part of our customers' gift-giving journey.
In addition, we have had the privilege of serving and working with corporate clients to provide them with unique and personalized gifting options for their clients. It's been an incredible opportunity to showcase the beauty and quality of our gift boxes on a larger scale and to spread the joy of gifting to even more people.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest for us has been promoting our business and reaching new customers. There is a learning curve with social media, and it can be challenging, especially in the early stages of your business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Embrace technology and the new ways you will learn to do things. Stay flexible and adaptable. Be open to new ideas and feedback and be willing to pivot in your business if necessary.
- Stay financially disciplined. Keep a close eye on your finances and stay within your budget.
- Find and connect with your business BFFs. They will motivate, advise, and congratulate you. They will also be there for you when you feel like quitting. A love and shove, as our business coach reminds us...we all need someone to cheer us on.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://mygiftingsister.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mygiftingsister/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mygiftingsister/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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