We here at Gifted just passed the marking of 90 days in our new space, with our new identity. We also happen to be days away from marking ten years since Elizabeth Richard Gifts came on the scene. Ten years as one person, one brand, and then - just like that, you’re someone else. It’s akin to being in the witness protection program!
My name is Lori Greene, and ten years ago, I created, developed and built Elizabeth Richard Gifts from thin air. And what an experience it was for me, unlike anything I could have ever imagined. I learned volumes, met people that have impacted my life more than I could have dreamed, and got to see my hopes and ambitions unfold around me. I am indeed one of the luckiest people that I know.
Times changed, and life happened. There are so many twists, turns, stories that end in laughter, and of course, stories that end in tears. Those stories are for another day. I will fast forward to July 2017, when I was attending the Atlanta trade show with my bestie, who had recently opened her own new age inspirational shop. I was lamenting that things had not turned out quite the way that I had expected them to, and that I was at a crossroad. I found myself trying to decide whether or not to remain open for one last Christmas season, or to call it a day and shutter the doors.
We had some good heart to heart talks, and she got me to get out of my own way, to think differently, and to imagine that I could adapt, morph and change again in order to move forward with my dream. By the end of the trip, I knew what I had to do and where I had to go.
I have said it previously, I am one of the luckiest people that I know. I am lucky and blessed to have so many people in my circle, and to be able to make calls that not everyone can make. I got in touch with a friend, a fellow business owner, and discussed sub-letting a portion of his space, in order to relocate my gift shop. He had space, and was so gracious in taking me in, but the space was small, far smaller than I would have liked. I was determined to make it work, and got down to business.
Elizabeth Richard had been able to offer a little bit of everything, and you never knew what you might find there on any given day. While it was our charm, it was also a very costly way to conduct business. As things changed, and Amazon became the retail giant that it is, I knew that I could no longer offer what I had been able in the past. This smaller space was the universe telling me that my instincts were right, and that I had to pare down what I was offering in my shop.
Part business analysis, and a bigger part of me following my emotions led me to what you will find in the shop. You will find classic jewelry along side trendy pieces that you just have to have. You will find stylish and usefully designed handbags and totes. You will see accessories to add to the already fabulous wardrobe that you have built. You will find things that make you laugh, and things that tug at your heartstrings. You will find that special something for a baby shower, a bridal shower, or any occasion that calls for a little something special. I have chosen and assembled a very special collection of items, with the hope that when you enter this little jewel box of a shop, you will find something that speaks to you, something that beckons you to take it home.
So why Gifted? On so many levels, I will always be Elizabeth Richard. It is such a special name (my children’s middle names), and signifies such a deeply special time in my life, that the name and its meaning will never be far from me. But I needed to make sure that you knew that this abbreviated space was not Elizabeth Richard. It was never going to be. I needed you to know that I had turned a page, started a new chapter, and that I am asking you to do the same. And so, Gifted was born. Gifted is not, nor will it ever be, a substitute for the Elizabeth Richard that you grew to love. Gifted is something new, and it wants you to look at it from that angle.
Gifted. It was a very special name. We all have a Gift. We are all Gifted in our own way. I want to share my Gift with you, the Gift of living beautifully, the Gift of spreading joy to the people that we hold dear, the Gift of being good to yourself. I invite you to shop Gifted. I hope that you will grow just as fond of Gifted as you did my alter ego.
I loved Elizabeth Richard and when you moved the shop to Woodbury, many of us in Waterbury felt let down. We felt abandoned by you. I hope you are back closer to Waterbury for a reason and I know I will be visiting Gifted soon.
Well done, heart felt!!
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Shelly -
March 29, 2018
I love your little shop. You might not have the space you use to but it sure has some amazing wonderful gifts and beautiful items like you carried before….that’s because you are still the same person with an amazing GIFT – Thanks for sharing your story, its easy to sit on the other side and ask Why, but it takes a lot of courage and strength to face the changing times.