Business idea that’s right out of the box
SPECIAL keepsake boxes filled with locally made gifts and a whole lot of love are taking over the Gold Coast one delivery at a time.
The Lovebox Co, a family business in Hope Island, has become a hive of activity this festive season after celebrity clients, like the Hembrow sisters, started spreading the word about their personalised wooden memory gift boxes. Owner Toni Squire said since opening the store 12 weeks ago, they had sold more than 1000 boxes.
“It’s been a whirlwind and I never expected that my passion project would take off like this,” she said.
Mrs Squire started the gift-giving business in 2017 after her daughter Charlotte, 15, was diagnosed with a tumour on her spine and spent a lengthy time in hospital and rehabilitation.
“Charlotte received lots of flowers and chocolate when she was sick,” she said.
“But then I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if you could give something a little different and full of love – that’s when The Lovebox Co was born.”
In the beginning, she sold and shipped around 12 boxes a week from her Hope Island garage. Now, her luxurious retail store is struggling to keep up with demand.
The boxes are handcrafted locally, then personalised with laser-cut artwork instore, sprayed with peony and marshmallow scent and filled with goodies by Mrs Squire, her daughter Charlotte and niece Alex Slipais.
They stock products like Cristina Re homewares, Hombodii pyjamas, Byron Bay Tea, Loco Love Chocolate, New Farm confectionery and Solitude Bath Cookies.