8 Online Gift Shop Business Success Stories [2024]
Looking for a gift shop without the hassle of a physical location? Consider starting an online gift shop. An online gift shop allows you to offer curated, unique gifts, from artisanal candles to personalized keepsakes, all from the comfort of your home.
The charm of an online gift shop lies in its flexibility. You can source products from local makers or global suppliers, creating a diverse inventory. You only need a reliable ecommerce platform and a knack for selecting products that catch the eye and fit various occasion themes.
Marketing your online gift shop can be as simple or sophisticated as you desire. Leveraging social media platforms, email marketing, and influencer collaborations can drive traffic to your store. This business model appeals to those who enjoy curating thoughtful products and find joy in helping others celebrate special moments.
If the idea of bringing smiles to faces with a click appeals to you, an online gift shop might be the perfect venture.
In this list, you'll find real-world online gift shop business success stories and very profitable examples of starting a online gift shop business that makes money.
1. SendAFriend ($9.6M/year)
Tyler Macke, the 21-year-old founder of SendAFriend, came up with the idea for his business after realizing that many of his favorite e-commerce brands lacked a philanthropic purpose. He wanted to create something different and decided to launch SendAFriend, an e-commerce brand that sells stuffed animal care packages. The business has seen significant growth, with projected revenue of $5 million for 2020, and has already donated over $250,000 to children's hospitals.
How much money it makes: $9.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 20
Meet Tyler Macke, the 21-year-old founder of SendAFriend, an e-commerce brand that sells stuffed animal care packages, which began with $50k in revenue in 2019 and is now on track to make $5M in revenue this year, while donating 10% of revenue to children's hospitals throughout the United States.
2. 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 money it makes: $866K/year
How much did it cost to start: $12K
How many people on the team: 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.
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 money it makes: $468K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
How many people on the team: 10
Discover how Giftsenda harnessed 18 years of international gift delivery expertise to process over 40,000 orders in 200+ countries during one holiday season, and offers a gifting platform that slashes campaign costs by up to 85% for Sales & Marketing teams.
4. 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 money it makes: $420K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 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.
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 money it makes: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 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.
6. 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 money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 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.
7. Periwinkle Greetings, LLC ($12K/year)
Candace McGinn, the founder of Periwinkle Greetings, came up with the idea after surviving cancer and embracing her passion for photography. Inspired by the beauty of a full moon reflecting over the ocean, Candace used a unique printing technology to create stunning metal greeting cards. With a focus on artistry and sustainability, Periwinkle Greetings aims to revolutionize the greeting card industry.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 1
Periwinkle Greetings uses Dye-sublimation to create unique metal greeting cards that can be displayed as art, with an average monthly revenue of $1000, and plans to pivot to B2B sales in 2023.
8. 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 money it makes: $6.6K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 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.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
