Winter 2025 - 111

a powered mix in a single-serve packet had never been
introduced into our industry.
This all happened in February 2022. Over the next four
months, I spent my time hiring a food scientist, developing
recipes and finding a manufacturing facility. We were really
focused on using natural fruit and developing a product
that was not only innovative but tasted amazing!
Then, I moved on to branding and packaging. I already
knew who my customer was, which made this part fairly easy.
I was designing specifically for an audience I already had
access to, these were already my customers so I knew what
they were looking for. Our first trade show was in June 2022,
so this whole process took about four months. We showed
up at the Dallas Market with this new idea not knowing how it
would be received. We sold out on the first day! We knew we
had something special and could hit the ground running.
Over the following 24 months, we opened over 3,000
independent retail stores and sold more than 2 million
cocktails! During our first two years in business, we have
been working on ramping up production, new product and
packaging development and just trying to keep our heads
above water.
This whole process has been exciting and new and
terrifying and invigorating. It's like knowing how to ski really
well and then trying to snowboard - it was all familiar yet
different at the same time. We are excited for the upcoming
year and all the exciting opportunities it holds. The best part is
we get to share cocktails with friends, old and new. Cheers!
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
I can remember my very first trade show in this industry.
I was nervous, shy and unsure. I didn't want to be there,
and it was uncomfortable to say the least. Over the next
18 years, I have been able to develop so many great
relationships and friendships. I now look forward to trade
shows and have so much fun meeting new customers,
vendors and reps. The growth as a person this industry has
allowed me has just been amazing. I think that's what I am
most proud of. Identifying a weakness in my professional
career and overcoming it.
If you had to choose your greatest personal
accomplishment, what would it be?
My wife and I have always been creative people. When
we met, we both worked for other businesses. We knew that
was not what we were meant to do, though. We took the risk
and started our own business. Without any fear of failing, we
began to build and grow our business into what it is today.
Never afraid to work hard and take risks, failure just wasn't an
option. We have built a life for ourselves, raised a family and
enjoyed ourselves along the way. In retrospect, it didn't seem
like work or a job at all. It was more of an adventure we were
GIFTSHOPMAG.COM 111
http://www.ginabdesigns.com http://www.GIFTSHOPMAG.COM

Winter 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2025

TOC 1
TOC 2
Contributors
From the Editor
Trend Report
Editor's Picks
Showcases
Museums & More
Wine & Dine
Retailer Profile: Emerald Forest Gifts
Beyond the Cuddle
Leading with Heart
Home for the Holidays
2025 State of the Industry
New to Market
Spotlight Awards Class of 2025
Event Calendar
Industry & Trade Show News
Ad Index
Meet the Maker: WerkShoppe
Winter 2025 - 1
Winter 2025 - 2
Winter 2025 - 3
Winter 2025 - 4
Winter 2025 - 5
Winter 2025 - TOC 1
Winter 2025 - 7
Winter 2025 - TOC 2
Winter 2025 - 9
Winter 2025 - Contributors
Winter 2025 - 11
Winter 2025 - From the Editor
Winter 2025 - 13
Winter 2025 - 14
Winter 2025 - Trend Report
Winter 2025 - 16
Winter 2025 - 17
Winter 2025 - 18
Winter 2025 - 19
Winter 2025 - 20
Winter 2025 - 21
Winter 2025 - 22
Winter 2025 - 23
Winter 2025 - 24
Winter 2025 - 25
Winter 2025 - 26
Winter 2025 - 27
Winter 2025 - 28
Winter 2025 - 29
Winter 2025 - Editor's Picks
Winter 2025 - 31
Winter 2025 - Showcases
Winter 2025 - 33
Winter 2025 - 34
Winter 2025 - 35
Winter 2025 - 36
Winter 2025 - 37
Winter 2025 - 38
Winter 2025 - 39
Winter 2025 - 40
Winter 2025 - 41
Winter 2025 - 42
Winter 2025 - Museums & More
Winter 2025 - 44
Winter 2025 - 45
Winter 2025 - 46
Winter 2025 - 47
Winter 2025 - 48
Winter 2025 - 49
Winter 2025 - 50
Winter 2025 - 51
Winter 2025 - 52
Winter 2025 - 53
Winter 2025 - 54
Winter 2025 - 55
Winter 2025 - 56
Winter 2025 - Wine & Dine
Winter 2025 - 58
Winter 2025 - 59
Winter 2025 - 60
Winter 2025 - 61
Winter 2025 - 62
Winter 2025 - 63
Winter 2025 - Retailer Profile: Emerald Forest Gifts
Winter 2025 - 65
Winter 2025 - 66
Winter 2025 - 67
Winter 2025 - Beyond the Cuddle
Winter 2025 - 69
Winter 2025 - 70
Winter 2025 - 71
Winter 2025 - 72
Winter 2025 - 73
Winter 2025 - Leading with Heart
Winter 2025 - 75
Winter 2025 - 76
Winter 2025 - 77
Winter 2025 - 78
Winter 2025 - 79
Winter 2025 - 80
Winter 2025 - 81
Winter 2025 - 82
Winter 2025 - 83
Winter 2025 - Home for the Holidays
Winter 2025 - 85
Winter 2025 - 86
Winter 2025 - 87
Winter 2025 - 88
Winter 2025 - 89
Winter 2025 - 90
Winter 2025 - 91
Winter 2025 - 2025 State of the Industry
Winter 2025 - 93
Winter 2025 - 94
Winter 2025 - 95
Winter 2025 - 96
Winter 2025 - 97
Winter 2025 - New to Market
Winter 2025 - 99
Winter 2025 - 100
Winter 2025 - 101
Winter 2025 - 102
Winter 2025 - 103
Winter 2025 - 104
Winter 2025 - Spotlight Awards Class of 2025
Winter 2025 - 106
Winter 2025 - 107
Winter 2025 - 108
Winter 2025 - 109
Winter 2025 - 110
Winter 2025 - 111
Winter 2025 - 112
Winter 2025 - 113
Winter 2025 - 114
Winter 2025 - 115
Winter 2025 - 116
Winter 2025 - 117
Winter 2025 - Event Calendar
Winter 2025 - 119
Winter 2025 - Industry & Trade Show News
Winter 2025 - 121
Winter 2025 - Ad Index
Winter 2025 - 123
Winter 2025 - Meet the Maker: WerkShoppe
Winter 2025 - 125
Winter 2025 - 126
Winter 2025 - 127
Winter 2025 - 128
Winter 2025 - 129
Winter 2025 - 130
Winter 2025 - 131
Winter 2025 - 132
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2025
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/waterfront-living-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/holiday-shop-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/the-guide-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/celebrations-occasions-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2023
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2023
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/the-guide-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/celebrations-occasions-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/waterfront-living-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/holiday-shop-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/theguide-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/theguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/holidayshop-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/celebrationsoccasions-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-fall-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-summer-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/survivethriveguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-spring-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/theguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-winter-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-fall-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/demdaco-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/summer-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-summer-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/holidaygiftguide-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/spring-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-spring-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/pets-winter-2019
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