Tbilisi Giftbox Offers “Gift Aid” this Holiday Season

Interview

Tbilisi Gift Box is a new creative venture providing people in the Georgian capital a new, convenient, fun option for gifts for their loved ones. GEORGIA TODAY spoke with Giftbox founder Ekaterina Leonova about her business, entrepreneurship in Georgia, and how you can get your hands on one of these boxes in time for the New Year!

Who is behind Tbilisi Giftbox?

Behind Tbilisi Giftbox there are two people – me, Ekaterina Leonova, the founder, and my husband Giorgi Gegelia, who is so kind to help me. Since I was four years old, I have been deep into design, art and handmaking things and it was always my dream to have a small business of this kind. My husband already had some businesses in Georgia and his experience helps us cope up with the Georgian market and people’s demand.

What is your story – how did you get started?

I am from St. Petersburg, Russia, and in my hometown, giftboxes are a very popular item as they save a lot of time and nerves, especially if you do not know what to give. Once, we were shopping for a gift for a friend of ours and it took me five minutes to create several variants of a gift while for my husband it is usually torture. So, I decided to start up Tbilisi Giftbox – a service for people who need ‘gift aid.’

You’re not a native Georgian - what is your relationship with Tbilisi and with Georgia?

I first came to Tbilisi in 2016 and just a few hours after arrival I met my husband. It is a romantic, ‘love at first sight’ story that we will tell our grandchildren, I hope.

Two years later I moved here and now adore my new lifestyle. There are many things I love about Georgia and Tbilisi: Georgian hospitality, the breathtaking landscapes, the cuisine and the whole culture. But the best thing I love about Georgia is the people. I think I will never get enough of them.

Why did you think this idea would work in Tbilisi?

The idea is a very simple thing, but the creation! That is where all the fun part begins. My vision was in making beautiful yet useful giftboxes suitable for many people with different tastes. As I saw in Georgia, people love giving gifts, they love the concept of sharing and being generous. So my aim is to give them a more qualified experience.

Talk us through the development process?

I started very fast: in several days I went from searching the market to making my first giftbox. It was a little tricky to get all the necessary decorations at a good price, but I soon found the suppliers. My biggest challenge is to always be ahead of people’s expectations.

Where did you get your entrepreneurial spirit from?

I’m not sure if there is any ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ as a concept. I always believe that it is only our experience and hard work that help us create and move forward.

What is your vision for the company?

Tbilisi Giftbox is only three months old, yet we’ve gained lots of experience so far. In 2019, we are changing the collection of the boxes, changing delivery terms and the order policy.

In the long term, we would like to develop a complete online service where you can fill the giftbox with any goods without online communication with a manager. And also we hope to develop B2B cooperation with companies to help them express gratitude to their clients and employees.

What is the best part about owning your own business – and what is the worst?

The best part is the pleasure of making people happy. Once we made a gift for a pregnant woman with small boots for the baby in a box. And when she opened the box she was so excited as those were the first shoes she’d got for her child. This case always makes me smile on a bad day.

The worst part I think is the worktime, as any business is like a small child who needs attention and care. It is not a classic 9-5 job.

What kind of products are included in the Gift Boxes?

Mostly local or imported products like sweets, alcohol, flowers, beauty goods, etc. But we are planning to bring more goods from abroad to include in the boxes.

For what occasions should someone order a Gift Box?

The best gifts are not occasional, of course, as surprise always guarantees the greatest emotions. Yet you can make an order for a birthday, wedding, the birth of a baby, company anniversary, Christmas, New Year and so many more occasions. We can help with anything!

Customers can choose an already created gift or have a box custom made. Prices start at 55 GEL. Get yours on Facebook or Instagram by searching “Tbilisi Giftbox.”

By Samantha Guthrie

Image source: Tbilisi Giftbox