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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Interview with Brittany of Molly Lou Gifts


Everyone, meet Brittany, the brains behind Molly Lou Gifts. They create scads of adorable monogrammed and personalized items like invitations, stationary and tableware. And she also swaps and hosts swaps! Molly Lou Gifts has a blog so you can go say hi after you read all about her here. And she's got a gift for you! Use code MLGfun for 10% off your total purchase from Molly Lou Gifts. Isn't she a doll?

SwapDex: Tell us a bit about you.

Brittany: I am married and have two children, the minis as I call them. My son is 3.5
years old and my daughter is 9 months old. I am from and now have moved back to South Carolina, but have lived in several different places as we have moved around with my husband's job. In my previous life before children I was an elementary and middle school teacher, but have been a stay at home mom since my son was born. In October, 2007 I started Molly Lou Gifts, an online and home show gift shop specializing in fine personalized and unique gifts.

SD: How long have you been swapping? How did you first learn about swapping, and what made you decide to start? Do you remember your first one?

B: I have been swapping for a few months. I started a blog about Molly Lou Gifts last year, but left it after my daughter was born because there was so much going on. I started blogging daily again a few months ago and quickly built a group of blog friends and through other blogs, I learned the joy of blogging. :) I originally started the blog just for Molly Lou Gifts, but quickly saw it as great way to write funny things about my life, vent about situations...free therapy! I started swapping because it was guilt free shopping for me and who doesn't love to get a present? I love to give gifts and if I was buying something for someone else, then I didn't feel guilty about the money spent.

It's also a great way to meet people and build a network of friends and hopefully customers of Molly Lou Gifts.

My first one was just a fun swap where you could send your partner any gift package that you want. My partner and I got to know each other and created our own theme for fun!

SD: What is your range of swapping? Do you stick to swaps hosted by people you know or are you likely to swap with anyone, anytime?

B: I'll swap with anyone and join in just about any swap theme. I am currently hosting a Christmas in July Swap-the gifts don't have to be Christmas theme, but need to be wrapped so the recipient can get that giddy Christmas morning feeling.

SD: Do you swap with any organized groups like yahoo groups, flickr, groups on swap-bot, other message boards, etc? Why or why not?

B: I haven't swapped with an organized group yet, but love your site and am so happy that you introduced me. I just starting swapping through blogs that I read.

SD: What's your favorite swap you've ever been in or hosted?

B: My favorite swap was a monogram swap. As a southern girl, we love monograms and who doesn't love something personalized just for me. I also have a personalized obsession judging from my shop. We have personalized stationery, note sets invitations, adorable children's clothing, personalized tableware, and more.

SD: What do you do to make your packages special?

B: I really try to get to know my partner and find out what they like. I package all of my items up in cute bags with coordinating grossgain ribbon and always write a note to my partner.

SD: What do you think is the most challenging part of hosting a swap? Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

B: I am in the middle of hosting my first swap and so far so good. I think the most challenging part is assuring everyone that is actively participating and following through to ensure that each person gets an equal swap package. I just want everyone to have a great time and I am such an organizer and planner that I hate the unknown while waiting to make sure that everyone is sending awesome packages.

SD: Any exciting plans for the near future? Swaps, projects, new products?


B: We are always adding new products to our website, www.mollylougifts.com. I have new luggage tags that are launching and added several new and oh so cute invitations with more to come. We are expanding our homeshow line and accepting new hostesses and are about to start offering catalog shows.

I am also starting a new blog, Good Will Grace. I have always wanted my children to grow up to be humble, compassionate, responsible, giving, and loving children. Good Will Grace is a site to mention all of those little life lessons full of grace that we all should know and live by. People can send in suggestions, anecdotes, or pictures to go along with those little "life lessons" and rules. I hope this will grow to be a great site that people enjoy going to get that little boost or feel good experience. We all have something to learn from others.


Molly Lou Gifts-www.mollylougifts.com
MLG blog-www.mollylougifts.blogspot.com
>


I would like to give a discount code to your readers to post on your site
for use at Molly Lou Gifts. Use code MLGfun for 10% off your total purchase
from Molly Lou Gifts.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Do give books - religious or otherwise - for Christmas. They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal. Keep it up Nice blog.