A WA entrepreneur has set up a business to make buying gifts for loved ones easier.
A WA entrepreneur has set up a business to make buying gifts for loved ones easier.
Janet Henwood, who went into business for herself after a career in the insurance industry, has set up Giving Thingz to act as a shopping service for time-poor executives.
“I’ve been bouncing this idea around for eight or nine years,” Mrs Henwood said.
“My husband has always said I should be a card carrying member of shopaholics anonymous.
“I’ve done some shopping on behalf of girl friends and decided to expand the idea from there.
“There are so many people out there who are too busy to shop. I’m just trying to help people get through the hard parts of life that shopping entails.”
Customers are asked for the gift recipient’s age, their likes and dislikes, if they collect certain things and whether they have any allergies – something that can be important if the gift is to be perfume.
Mrs Henwood said she had only received enquiries at this stage but believed that could be because the business was quite young.
“Retail has been a bit funny lately, largely due to September 11 I think, but I’m confident things will start to pick up as we get into Christmas,” she said.
The personal shopper concept is not new in WA but is mostly limited to large department stores such as Myer and Aherns.
Mrs Henwood said she hoped her business would be able to choose from a broader range of gifts.
“I go around the markets and you often find a lot of unique things there,” she said.
“You find, especially with women, that they like things that nobody else will have.”
The business also will feature some handmade gifts of its own, including gift baskets and Christmas crackers.
“One of the gift baskets is called Chocaholics – filled will all things chocolatey,” Mrs Henwood said.
The Giving Thingz business is currently running as an add-on to Mrs Henwood’s wedding accessories shop, Wedding Thingz.
Janet Henwood, who went into business for herself after a career in the insurance industry, has set up Giving Thingz to act as a shopping service for time-poor executives.
“I’ve been bouncing this idea around for eight or nine years,” Mrs Henwood said.
“My husband has always said I should be a card carrying member of shopaholics anonymous.
“I’ve done some shopping on behalf of girl friends and decided to expand the idea from there.
“There are so many people out there who are too busy to shop. I’m just trying to help people get through the hard parts of life that shopping entails.”
Customers are asked for the gift recipient’s age, their likes and dislikes, if they collect certain things and whether they have any allergies – something that can be important if the gift is to be perfume.
Mrs Henwood said she had only received enquiries at this stage but believed that could be because the business was quite young.
“Retail has been a bit funny lately, largely due to September 11 I think, but I’m confident things will start to pick up as we get into Christmas,” she said.
The personal shopper concept is not new in WA but is mostly limited to large department stores such as Myer and Aherns.
Mrs Henwood said she hoped her business would be able to choose from a broader range of gifts.
“I go around the markets and you often find a lot of unique things there,” she said.
“You find, especially with women, that they like things that nobody else will have.”
The business also will feature some handmade gifts of its own, including gift baskets and Christmas crackers.
“One of the gift baskets is called Chocaholics – filled will all things chocolatey,” Mrs Henwood said.
The Giving Thingz business is currently running as an add-on to Mrs Henwood’s wedding accessories shop, Wedding Thingz.
