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Expert in Creating Green and Balanced Spaces |
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Interview
with Vicky Dorvee co- owner: Norma: I have to say that I love your concept of replacing canvas bags with baskets for gift-giving! What inspired this great idea? Vicky: Thank you! You never know when an idea might take hold. My partner, Karen Edwards, and I were inspired by a video by musical comedian Tim Minchin where he sings a contagious ditty called "Take Your Canvas Bags." We had earlier considered creating a gift business, but the idea didn't gel completely until we combined it with using fun reusable bags instead of baskets. The decision to offer only superlative contents for the goodies inside made the idea take wings for us. When we looked in our own closets and basements, we found too many baskets had stacked up over years ago - what a waste! As kind as the gestures were, we remembered getting gifts in those baskets - sample sizes of items and some of them being products we were unlikely to buy on our own because they didn't contain real ingredients. It was clear in our brainstorming that we would only consider a business that was good to Mother Earth and nurturing to the end-user. This idea grew easily into reality as we considered what it was we would like to receive. You can imagine how much fun is it to find natural and organic goodies to fill up the spunky bags. Norma: I see that customers can choose their own contents and bags or you choose them. What are the most popular bags and contents? What are the most popular items people choose? Vicky: Our shopping size bags far outsell anything else. And for gift sets, bags with the bright, simple sunflower and the bundle of lavender are our biggest sellers. We've recently introduced gorgeous botanical art images, too and they're catching on quickly. For men's gifts, the earth and the elephant image bags are the most popular. Seth Ellis Organic Chocolates are in high demand recently and our new addition of Earth's Sweet Pleasures organic fudge has gotten a lot of attention. We found some incredible organic peanut brittle and will add that to the mix next week. We're seeing a lot of orders for the wide-array of natural soaps we sell, the lotions and all of the snack items are very popular. Norma: Give me other examples of popular combinations for different occasions. Vicky: I'd love to tell you about our latest focus - housewarming and hostess gifts. We've added TWIST biodegradable sponges, Zum liquid soaps, and spray mists, and we're bringing on amazingly soft bamboo hand/kitchen towels. These combined with fragrant soy candles or beautiful beeswax candles and lavender or citrus lotions and jojoba body oils, and chocolate (did I mention chocolate?) make for a wonderfully decadent gift to welcome people to their new homes or to thank them for their hospitality. The Smith & Truslow box sets of 6 freshly ground organic herbs and spices make a substantial gift on their own or in a bag. Get well gifts are probably what we're seeing ordered the most on a daily basis. Adding a book to the gift bag is a lovely way to keep someone occupied while they are recovering. Luxurious touches like bath salts or body polish are always a nice way to encourage relaxation and calm. For business thanks yous we'd recommend filling a bag with popcorn, coffee, teas, pretzels, nuts, chocolates, cookies, chips and salsa, fudge, and trail mix. There's enough to satisfy an office, family or individual. Any image the sender wants can go on the bag, so it's perfect for logos. Birthday and romantic gifts can include a bag with an image that is especially meaningful to the recipient (family/pet photos, a beautiful phrase or even something reminiscent of their favorite hobby) and then choices of snacks, candles, teas, agave nectar, lotions, books, gardening seeds are all excellent ideas. And really, for any occasion, the chocolates we sell from Seth Ellis (we are their exclusive online distributor), are the finest most well received gifts. Norma: I see that the products you sell are organic and Fair Trade. Why is that important to you? Vicky: It's imperative to us that all the products we offer be of the highest quality while being luxurious, yummy, and full of healthy ingredients. This is what we're drawn to as nurturing people, stewards of our planet, and for ethical reasons. Fair Trade practices promote and teach ways of operating in financially compromised areas of the world. To be able to assist with supporting humane and fair business practices that will have a lasting effect is clearly the right thing to do. And to be able to offer organic and natural products that hit the high notes on our quality meter is an honor. We have no doubt it's appreciated by the recipients of the gifts. If you're giving a gift to tell someone you care, why not give the best gift - a gift with a conscience? Norma: Is there anything else you would like to add? Vicky: The personal way of shopping on our website saves time, gas and hassle. Traditionally, there are very few ways to customize a gift to the extent in which you can on It's Only Natural Gifts website. it's a new concept, but it's time has come. The wrapping paper (meaning the reusable canvas bag) is just the start of the gift. Choosing an image from what we offer or sending us a digital image is leaves a lasting impression of the sender's kindness. It will be used for years and will save landfills from thousands of discarded plastic bags. Lastly, we are on a persistent quest to offer a wide-range of products. So please watch our product list grow by visiting our website often to see what new products are being offered. Norma: Thanks, Vicky! To see all the wonderful goodies, go to: http://www.itsonlynaturalgifts.com. You can also click on their logo ant the beginning of the interview.
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Harmonious Environment |
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