Bespoke Gifting Made Easy with The Gift Tailor | Interview with Founder Samantha Worrell

Gift giving season is here! For some, it’s an exciting time and for others, it is really overwhelming. I mean, where to begin? Especially during the holidays, there are just so many gifts that have to be bought and put together for everyone on your list whose interests are unique. Whether it’s for friends and family or even corporate clients and colleagues, the challenge that always remains is curating a gift that the recipient will truly love. Even more so, there never seems to be enough time to get it all done while putting the same amount of effort and energy into a handful of well thought out gifts.

Your gift giving fairy godmother who will make this process a whole lot easier? The Gift Tailor, a company created by Samantha Worrell that boasts bespoke gifting made stress-free and simple! Samantha takes over creative license. Once she’s taken on the responsibility for research, sourcing, wrapping and distributing the gifts, her clients receive a totally streamlined, stress-free service. All they need to do is review, approve, then sit back and look awesome! Samantha brings impact and value to her clients’ lives, firms and key relationships. 

I had the pleasure of speaking with Samantha about her incredible company and how she got started, her process and a lot more. She is truly one of the kindest, most well-spoken people I have met with with a strong passion for what she does and bringing people joy. I am thrilled to be able to introduce her to you all, especially during the holiday season!

Tell us about your company, The Gift Tailor, how it works and a little bit about your background.

Let me ask you to recall the last time you received a gift  unexpectedly? How did you feel? Was there some curiosity and maybe excitement as you opened it?

Well, THAT feeling, that I suspect your feeling right now, is what I help people to create with their personal and professional relationships everyday

For 12 years I was a know-your-client lawyer researching clients for global firms. I’ve taken my deep-dive research experience, combined it with a personal love of helping folks find and give gifts, and now deliver that secret sauce to help busy folks in their gifting situations and projects – business or holiday-related.

How did you come up with the idea for The Gift Tailor?

It came out of personal need, I’ve had times of receiving ‘interesting’ gifts, or even no gift; and times when I’ve really wanted to give somebody a gift but because of life/work I made the gifting a low priority and it just never happened. I thought there must be others that have this problem. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a service that could be me and get a gift? I ended up with how about you provide that service!

Tell us about the process of ordering a gift through your company.

Behind every gift there’s a story. Our gifts are tailored to your need, your context and what you want to convey, so here’s what we do . First we have a call to understand that context, then I go off and do all the creative research and design to curate a gift or a gift collection that would work well for the gifting situation. Clients are presented with 2-3 gift options. Once they’ve selected which they’d like to go with, we source, gift wrap / bag or box, then ship to my client, or now in this current climate, directly to the person they are gifting to. The work is all done by The Gift Tailor. My client is free to focus on their regular work, on doing what they love to do. Their gifting is taken care of, while they sit back and just receive status updates!

During the Holiday season, we’ll also offer an ‘off-the-shelf’ pop-up shop experience with some really cool items. Ideal for those that are shopping late night or last-minute gift shopping and need something to grab-and-go. 

On average, how long does it take you to find and put together a gift for a client?

The greater the notice, the better to deliver the best I can for all my clients. I recommend 4-6 weeks ahead of the date needed in hands but am open to have a conversation for a rush order. My aim is to not compromise the clients already committed to, and still be able to deliver a great job.

Do you find that there is a difference in the types of gifts that people like to receive – i.e. different parts of the country or even overseas?

I do read surveys that highlight preferences and differences based on where in the country folks are. However, because our core offering is so tailored, I think it enables us to go deeper into the culture of the particular company or relationship (business or personal) involved, and build a gifting experience which speaks specifically to that.

Where I have given internationally, on behalf of a US-based client, I don’t seek to localize the gift to where the receiver is because there’s something nice, don’t you think, in not just receiving a gift, but a gift from overseas which you won’t find so readily in your country? So I try to keep that international element in the gifting experience.

What would you say is the most challenging thing about owning your own company? What do you find is the most rewarding about owning your own company?

Both Challenging and Reward is that: You’re your own boss! Some days you don’t have the discipline to work, and some days you don’t have the discipline to stop. Too much of one will make you broke, too much of the other will make you burn out. Now I ask my several times a day, “Am I being the employee I’d want to hire and keep?” I’m also working on being efficient and effective with my work time rather than grinding around the clock for the sake of it.

How do you connect with clients and understand the vibe they are going for when looking to you to put together a gift?

Having a conversation and/or asking them to fill out a questionnaire.

Do you ever feel nervous to present a potential gift you put together to your client in case they do not like it?

Oh, always! I tell people what makes us unique is that this is a service, not a commodity. The Gift Tailor is a representing of your story. I’m trying to capture the essence of my clients’ sentiments and tell their story in a single item or a collection and I find myself really invested in the gifts. While my clients are extremely busy people, they are also very decisive people, they know when they see an idea they love … and when not so much. Because I present 2-3 options, I’ve found there’s always been at least one option (usually more) that my clients like, and that have been suitable for the occasion. 

How do you feel curated gifts translate into true connections?

It can be a way for the giver to show the recipient “Hey, I’m listening, I heard you, I know a bit about you and so I got you XYZ.” Or it can say “I care about you, I want to get to know you better, to build a relationship, so I got you XYZ to share something about me.”

Give us an example of some of your boxes! There must be so many different ideas swirling through your head always.

Ha! That’s very true, there are always gifting ideas in my noggin! Here’s a little show-and-tell. 

True Blue. A hostess gift for somebody who loved the color blue so all the treats in this gift basket had to be packages in a shade of blue, then the red basket was an intentional stark contrast, just making those blues really pop.

Moment of Mindfulness. These are available in the pop-up shop. Extremely popular this second half of the year as the cabin fever has started to set in and because there’s nothing like a warm cup of tea for a good stress reliever. 

Fancy Pantry quarantine care package. A curation of artisanal products from small, women-owned businesses to brighten up a time when we were fighting for whatever was left on the supermarket shelves.

What are some of your goals for The Gift Tailor?

Goal is for the service to continue to bring stories to life through gifting. Help people build and strengthen connections, nurture their business pipelines or express appreciation without costing them TIME.

How do you think The Gift Tailor will continue to impact both the corporate world as well as everyday people who don’t have a green thumb for gifting?

Covid is making it okay for busy professionals to admit we have personal lives and needs outside of work, but we are swamped and can’t, maybe shouldn’t, do everything. For those who want to gift but searching for gifts is not in their wheelhouse or not the best use of their time I can help them with gifts for their personal relationships and professional network.

Where do you see The Gift Tailor a year from now?

2020 has made me really think about the basics. Most importantly, I want to be in good health and wish the same for everyone involved with the company – team clients, partners, suppliers. Next I want to be saying to you, we had a good year. Who knows what the path there will look like, it has been such an unpredictable year. The business is perfectly positioned to be nimble and adaptive as this new normal world evolves.

How do you think The Gift Tailor services will impact this holiday season?

Going into 9 months of working at home all the time, there’s no more hurriedly having a few assistants run to the department store downtown, or form gifting assembly lines in the conference room mid-December. Now that folks are working at home with vastly varying domestic situations, all of this means it just might be better if you outsource your gifting to a dedicated service like The Gift Tailor.

But First, Champagne | The 1 Book on Champagne Every Wine Lover Should Own

One of my favorite says in the world would have to be "But First, Champagne." As an avid bruncher, champagne is one of the fundamental parts of a great brunch. 

"But first, Champagne" however is not just a trendy statement; it's the title of a new book by David White, founder of Terroirist.com one of the world's leading wine writers.

In But First, Champagne, David White details Champagne's history along with that of its wines, explains how and why the market is changing, and profiles the region's leading producers. White's book brings a new perspective to a magical region that's witnessed more heartbreak -- and lubricated more celebrations -- than anywhere else in the world. Packed with beautiful photographs, But First, Champagne is essential reading for wine enthusiasts, adventurous drinkers, and foodies.

I got the chance to ask David some questions on his new book, about the current trend in champagne, why this book is the one you need to own if you're a champagne lover and more. 

Where are you from and how did it influence your interest in pursuing a career in the world of wine?

 I grew up about 40 minutes west of Boston but wasn’t exposed to wine in a serious way until I was about 25. In the fall of 2007, I visited Napa Valley with a few close friends and became totally infatuated, thanks in large part to a glass of Syrah at Wines. Over the next couple years, I started planning more trips to taste wine, reading as much as I could, attending tastings, and taking classes with the Wine & Spirit Education. I decided to start writing about wine in 2010.

 What inspired you to create Terroirist.com and what does it provide for wine enthusiasts that they can’t get from anywhere else on the Internet?

By the time I launched Terroirist.com, I was already obsessed with wine, spending virtually all my free time reading about wine, whether through books, magazines, message boards, or blogs. And I noticed some holes in the wine blogosphere, especially when it came to generalists. For instance, each day I’d scour the internet for interesting essays and articles — I had google alerts set up, was on a few listservs, visited dozens of blogs, etc. It always baffled me there wasn’t a single blog offering a daily roundup of wine news, edited by a human. Since launching the site, Terroirist has provided human news aggregation every single day.

There also wasn’t a blog offering regular winemaker interviews — wine geeks love getting to know the people behind the wines. And I didn’t see many group wine blogs. By assembling a team of contributors, my site has been able to cover politics and trend stories, offer tasting notes, and break news. In many ways, I think my site has become a dependable product.

 What experiences did you have working your way up that put you in the right place to be where you are today within your industry?

 I still consider wine writing a hobby; my day job is in public affairs. Thanks to that day job, I’ve been able to draw on about 12 years of writing professionally and pitching the media.

What does your new book, But First, Champagne inform readers about that they did not already know about champagne?

 Knowledgeable wine enthusiasts have always revered Champagne. The region and its wines are associated with prestige and luxury, of course, but historically, most consumers kept champagne way back on the high shelf, reserving it for post-game blowouts, send-offs, and wedding toasts. Over the past decade, however, an increasing number of wine enthusiasts have discovered the joys of champagne, especially when it's made by the farmers who grow the grapes. Today, the region and its wines are in the midst of a renaissance. And thanks to a few key wine importers, thoughtful sommeliers, and the farm-to-table movement, consumers everywhere are finally paying attention.

In my book, I attempted to write an approachable guide to all-things-Champagne – in format that would appeal to seasoned oenophiles and weekend wine enthusiasts. I detail the region’s history along with that of its wines, explain how and why the market is changing, and profile the region's leading producers.

Why do you think so many people love champagne so much, sometimes preferring it over just red or white wine?

For starters, Americans are taking food more seriously than ever before – and Champagne is exceptionally food friendly. Champagne’s vibrant acidity and freshness helps it cut through spicy meals, complement savory food, and elevate even the simplest of dishes.

Sommeliers are also playing a more important role than ever before – and I’ve yet to meet a somm who dislikes Champagne.

Social media has also played a role. Hashtags like #champagneeveryday are convincing consumers that life is packed with toast worthy moments, so you don’t need a grand celebration to pop open a bottle of Champagne.

What’s the current trend in champagne, and what do you think is next?

With most Champagne, the goal is consistency. Big champagne houses like Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot blend wines from different vintages and different vineyards to deliver a consistent experience to consumers each year. This isn't a bad thing; there's much to be said for consistent elegance. But today, most conversation about Champagne is focused on the growers – those farmers who grow their own grapes and make their own wines. Most of these growers, who still only account for about 5 percent of overall Champagne sales, eschew consistency in favor of singularity. 

In the coming years, the drive for singularity will continue, with more and more growers offering new single-vintage, single-vineyard offerings. Consumers will love these wines, of course, but also rediscover the big houses, which are producing some of the best wines they’ve ever made.

 Why is “But First, Champagne” the one book on champagne that every wine lover should own?

But First, Champagne is an approachable guide to all-things Champagne – and isn’t overwhelming or academic. It’s essential reading for wine enthusiasts, adventurous drinkers, foodies, sommeliers, and drinks professionals.

What is your favorite champagne of all? 

That’s truly impossible to answer! For grower Champagne, nothing beats the singularity – and significance -- of Selosse Substance. For Grandes Marques, Krug Grand Cuvee always feels special, no matter the occasion. 

I love champagne more now even more than I already did! Who knew there was so much depth behind your one favorite glass of bubbly? Get your copy of the But First, Champagne HERE!