Winter 2025 - 112
on together. I have never liked being told what to do. I was a
terrible employee. I was destined to be my own boss!
heart of everything I do, and I love finding new ways to
express it in both my work and personal life.
JANIE VELENCIA
CEO, Shipfluence & The
Card Bureau
Tell us about yourself.
I'm originally from Albania,
but I grew up in Michigan. I
began my career as a political
journalist, but in 2016, I ventured
out on my own to start The Card Bureau, a stationery brand
with a political and feminist focus. In 2023, I launched
Toka, an eco-friendly greeting card company. As I scaled
my stationery businesses, I developed my own fulfillment
solution, which ultimately inspired me to create Shipfluence,
a fulfillment company dedicated to supporting small
businesses with their logistics needs.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
Our debut collection of greeting cards featured Ruth
Bader Ginsburg, making us the first stationery brand to
feature the Supreme Court justice. That bold choice helped
put us on the map. At one point, I received a call from the
Supreme Court letting me know that the justice loved the
cards. Over the years, the justice would often order cards
featuring her likeness and even wrote me letters that helped
fuel me to keep going with my small business.
If you had to choose your greatest personal
accomplishment, what would it be?
I have a 16-month-old daughter, Cloe, who is the joy of
my life. Being her mom has been the most challenging yet
rewarding experience I've ever had.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
One of the professional accomplishments I'm most proud
of is having the opportunity to be involved in every step of the
process within my industry. From the initial spark of designing
products to carefully selecting them, creating unique names,
writing descriptions and assigning SKUs, I love shaping a
product's journey. I also get to photograph the items, upload
them to the website and then bring them to life in trade show
displays. Seeing the entire process through, right up to selling
the products and building relationships with the buyers, gives
me a true sense of fulfillment.
If you had to choose your greatest personal
accomplishment, what would it be?
My greatest personal accomplishment is my relentless drive
and determination, especially as a young person. In high school,
I was already attending early college. By 18, I was living on my
own and working as a manager and merchandiser. I taught
myself photography, which led me to my role at CTW Home
Collection, where I've taken on multiple responsibilities and
grown in countless ways. Now, still in my 20s, I've accomplished
so much - from saving diligently, traveling solo and remodeling
my home to thriving in my career. I'm proud to break the stigma
that young people can't achieve big things and constantly push
myself to be the best version of who I can be.
LIESEL ANNE
CALLAHAN
Business Owner,
Artist & Designer,
Liesel Anne Studios
Tell us about yourself.
I am a self-taught artist based
in Lawrence, Kansas, and the
LAUREN HAWKINS
Showroom Director & Senior
Creative Specialist, CTW
Home Collection
Tell us about yourself.
I'm a creative specialist and
showroom director based in
North Carolina, where I get to
immerse myself in the world of design and creativity every
day. I'm passionate about all things artistic, whether it's
capturing moments through photography, filling my space
with lush plants, exploring new destinations through travel
or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen. At home,
my two beloved dachshunds are my constant companions,
bringing joy and inspiration to my life. Creativity is at the
112 WINTER 2025 GIFT SHOP® PLUS
founder of Liesel Anne Studios, an online gift boutique where
we create whimsically painted art and gifts. My primary medium
is gouache on paper, and my style reflects the joy and beauty
I find in everyday life. While I earned a degree in healthcare
from the University of Kansas, my passion is designing and
hand-making gifts, thank-you cards and more. What began as a
creative hobby has since blossomed into my full-time career.
After spending eight years on the East Coast in Richmond,
Virginia, where I launched my business, I returned to Kansas
to be closer to family and pursue my passion for art. Today,
I lead a small team of incredible women who help package
and ship our products nationwide, both to customers and
boutiques. As the business continues to grow, I still personally
hand-paint and design everything myself, finding inspiration
from interior design, nature and fashion, which I weave into my
colorful, preppy style.
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/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
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2023
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/winter-2023
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/fall-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GiftShop-Plus/waterfront-living-2022
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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
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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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