12 Online Gift Shop Business Success Stories [2023]
Here are some real life success stories of starting a online gift shop business:
1. Cooking Gift Set Co. ($866K/year)
Kim and her best friend came up with the idea for Cooking Gift Set Co. in 2016 after realizing the limitations of a highly skilled service-based business. They saw an opportunity to create cooking kits with beautiful packaging and design, taking advantage of the growing demand for last-minute gifts on Amazon. With a focus on quality and originality, they quickly gained a competitive edge and have since generated $866,000 in sales in 2020.
How much they make: $866K/year
How much did it cost to start: $12K
Current team size: 0
Cooking Gift Set Co. generated $866,000 in sales in 2020, with 70% on Amazon, 26% Wholesale, and 4% e-commerce, using their strengths in design to create cooking kits with beautiful packaging, customized instructions, and high-quality lifestyle photos to differentiate from copycats.
2. Baltimore in a Box ($420K/year)
Ross Nochumowitz founded Baltimore in a Box after realizing there was a demand for Baltimore-inspired care packages. He started by curating boxes with iconic Baltimore items and offering customization options for customers. Despite initial challenges and a plain-looking box, the business gained traction and received attention from local media, leading to its success.
How much they make: $420K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 1
Baltimore in a Box founder Ross Nochumowitz created a customized gifting company that allows customers to easily send iconic products from Baltimore to loved ones anywhere in the world, resulting in steady business growth with minimal digital marketing efforts and expanding into corporate gifting with orders increasing year after year.
So... can you actually make money with a online gift shop business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Giftsenda ($468K/year)
Dmitriy Peregudov came up with the idea for his business, Giftsenda, after running his previous company, GiftBasketsOverseas.com. He noticed that many of his customers would benefit from a bulk gifting solution to automate their sending experience, which led him to create Giftsenda, a SaaS platform that offers personalized gift options with CRM integration and ROI measurement. Within 6 months of launching, Giftsenda has experienced solid growth.
How much they make: $468K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 10
4. Tohfabd ($60K/year)
After successfully launching Tohfabd, Iqbal Anwar and his team focused on attracting and retaining customers. They utilized Facebook Ads campaigns and email marketing to generate leads and spread awareness about their online gift delivery service. Additionally, they offered regular discounts on gift items to incentivize customers and ensure top-notch service.
How much they make: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 10
Tohfabd is an online gift delivery business serving Bangladeshi expats, with over 500 logistics agents covering all of Bangladesh's districts and more than 8000 orders successfully delivered within six months, with a focus on cakes, flowers, and gifts to celebrate special occasions.
So... can you actually make money with a online gift shop business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Confete Party ($240K/year)
Jamie Taylor, the founder of Confetë Party, came up with the idea for her business through a combination of her background in Interior Design and a desire to make it easy for people to celebrate. After starting an event planning business and finding success with balloon installations, Jamie pivoted to e-commerce in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic halted in-person events. She launched the Virtual Party Box and shifted her focus to celebratory party boxes, listening to customer feedback to grow her inventory and improve her website. With steady growth and a focus on customer satisfaction, Confetë Party has become a popular choice for curated gift boxes, working with large corporations and notable clients.
How much they make: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 1
Confetë Party, founded by Jamie Taylor, is a gift box company that offers corporate gifting, build-your-own boxes, and ready-to-ship options and has worked with clients such as Microsoft, Facebook, and Boston Consulting Group, reaching sales of over $20k/month.
So... can you actually make money with a online gift shop business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
6. Bad Day Box ($6.6K/year)
Leeanne Antonio, the Founder and CEO of Bad Day Box, came up with the idea after experiencing challenging times in her personal and professional life. Inspired by the support and acts of kindness she received from friends during her darkest days, Leeanne wanted to create a way for people to easily send and receive self-care gifts when they're going through tough times. Through her personally curated boxes featuring handmade, small-batch, and socially conscious products, Leeanne aims to bring empathy and comfort to those in need.
How much they make: $6.6K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 1
Bad Day Box founder and CEO, Leeanne Antonio, shares her experience of starting a company that curates small-batch, eco-friendly gifts with self-care and better days in mind for anyone, providing insights into building brand equity, leaning into storytelling, and the importance of seeking help from experienced professionals.
7. Well Told Design ($4.99M/year)
How much they make: $4.99M/year
Current team size: 7
Well Told Design, a retail company founded by Brian Johnson, has landed on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies for the second year in a row, ranking 5th in the state of New Hampshire and 90th overall.
8. ConseCrate ($12K/year)
How much they make: $12K/year
Current team size: 1
ConseCrate provides ministers and clergy members with unique subscription boxes containing a range of sustainable and wellness products, and despite only launching last year, the business grew organically through social media and now ships 500 boxes each month.
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