Rebuilding Your Life with Abby Glassenberg, President of Craft Industry Alliance

Becoming a Wrap Star - Michelle Gives Priceless Advice

In this incredibly informative talk, Michelle M. Hensley shares her expertise on becoming a successful gift-wrap entrepreneur. Michelle emphasizes the importance of deciding to start a business, learning through available resources like her videos and courses, and prioritizing work efficiently. She also discusses the significance of high-quality photographs, professional proposals, and personalized client follow-ups. Michelle encourages audience engagement in the gift wrapping industry, either by starting their own business or working with her as part of her 'Nifty' network. The priceless and practical advice she gives on supplies, pricing, and marketing strategies will make your entry into this venture much easier by avoiding costly mistakes that Michelle had to learn about the hard way. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to Becoming a Gift Wrap Star 00:19 Deciding to Start a Gift Wrap Business 00:38 Learning the Craft and Resources Available 01:22 Working Hard and Prioritizing Tasks 02:13 Photography Tips for Gift Wrapping 05:28 How to Work with Me 09:17 Creating Professional Proposals 22:24 Marketing and Client Relations

Rebuilding Your Life with Abby Glassenberg, President of Craft Industry Alliance

Today Michelle welcomes Abby Glassenberg, co-founder and president of Craft Industry Alliance. Abby shares her experiences, from being a sixth-grade teacher to a stay-at-home mom, discovering blogs, and launching her own blog and Etsy shop in 2005. She describes how she transformed her hobby into a business, authored sewing books, and contributed to the craft industry's professional education. Michelle recounts her own transition from nonprofit work to establishing a luxury gift wrapping business. They discuss the recent bankruptcy of IG Design Group, the challenges and opportunities in the craft industry, and the enduring value of handmade craftsmanship. Abby also highlights the evolving landscape of craft retail, the impact of big box retailer closures like Joanne, and the potential for growth in brick-and-mortar stores. Find more about Abby [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-glassenberg-b908a098/] Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:09 Meet Abby Glassenberg: Personal and Professional Background 03:58 The Birth of Craft Industry Alliance 08:05 Michelle's Journey: From Nonprofit to Business Owner 13:01 Challenges and Opportunities in the Craft and Gift Wrapping Industry 19:44 The Impact of Major Retail Closures and Bankruptcy 28:39 Future Prospects and Final Thoughts 38:05 Conclusion and Contact Information

A Conversation with Wanda Wen, Renowned Stationer and Owner of Soolip!

In this episode, Michelle has a conversation with Wanda Wen from Soolip. Wanda shares her inspiring background in the fashion industry and how it seamlessly transitioned into her love for paper art and gift wrapping. Her work has been featured in prestigious publications like Vogue and Better Homes and Gardens. They discuss the importance of knowing the recipient's style, minimalist design, and the evolving trends in gift wrapping. Wanda also touches on her business strategies, the crucial role of passion, the flexible approach needed for success, and emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's vision and passion. Find out more about Wanda and Soolip [https://www.soolip.com/wanda-wen] Check her out on IG [https://www.instagram.com/wandawensoolip/?hl=en] Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:03 Wanda's Journey in the Fashion Industry 04:12 The Art of Gift Wrapping 07:19 Wanda's Background and Family Influence 14:31 The Birth of Solip 21:18 Meeting Grant and Personal Stories 23:33 The Wonder When Story 24:32 A Long-Distance Relationship 27:02 Starting a Paper Store 29:31 The Passion Behind the Business 33:02 Diversifying Business Services 37:45 Financial Advice for Entrepreneurs 42:15 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Important Tools You Need To Consider Behind the Scenes of a Gift Wrapping or Gift Basket Business

On today’s show, Michelle from Nifty Package Company drops indispensable insights into the tools required for a successful mobile gift wrapping or gift basket business. She shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of tracking leads, gives her choices for the best overall CRM’s, maintaining a professional business email, utilizing Google Workspace, and creating a YouTube channel. She also covers the use of platforms like Shopify and Thrive for inventory management, and the benefits of outsourcing tasks. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Purpose 01:54 Common Mistakes and Lessons Learned 03:34 Choosing the Right CRM 08:06 Google Workspace and Communication Tools 10:21 Leveraging YouTube and E-commerce Platforms 11:40 Inventory Management and Outsourcing 13:24 Email Marketing and Final Tips 15:12 Conclusion and Contact Information

Gift Wrapping Business Wisdom with Mia Canada Thee Gift Wrap Goddess

In this episode, Mia Canada, also known as Thee Gift Wrap Goddess, shares her expertise and experiences as a professional gift wrapper with almost 20 years in the industry. Mia discusses her creative beginnings, her transition from a corporate job to entrepreneurship, and the growth of her gift-wrapping business, including opening multiple brick-and-mortar locations. She highlights the importance of taking action, learning from mistakes, and staying persistent. Mia also promotes an upcoming conference for gift wrappers and related businesses, aimed at fostering community and professional growth. Mia Canada has an eye for style that goes well beyond tying the perfect bow. Her passion for fashion and interior design inspired her to channel her talents into an avenue for stylistic flair that had been overlooked: gift design. Mia has been teaching gift wrapping business education courses since 2020 and has excelled in assisting aspiring gift wrapping business owners in turning their passion for gift wrapping into profitable and sustainable business. Clients from all over the world have traveled to learn specifically from her. www.thatsawrapatl.com [http://www.thatsawrapatl.com] @theegiftwrapgoddess [https://www.instagram.com/theegiftwrapgoddess/?hl=en] Episode Highlights: 0:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:05 Mia's Background and Early Creativity 02:40 Starting the Gift Wrapping Business 05:41 Challenges and Growth in the Business 10:12 Expanding and Teaching Gift Wrapping 15:14 Seasonal Business and Scaling Up 17:34 Opening a Year-Round Store 23:50 Teaching and Pricing Strategies 30:09 The Art of Gift Wrapping: Resourcefulness and Style 31:01 Starting a Business: Training and Education 32:19 Design vs. Fulfillment: Finding Your Niche 34:41 Financial Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles 36:40 Learning from Mistakes: The Path to Success 42:22 The Importance of Community and Conferences 49:20 Final Thoughts and Contact Information