Starting In the Cove has been a wonderful experience. Each week, I learn new things about Lane Cove, meet new Lane Covians, reunite people with lost dogs/possession and receive wonderful Emails/PM/Comments from people saying how much they enjoy In the Cove. At the same time as starting in the Cove, my sister Vivienne and I, launched a business called Stylie because we both love paper, gift wrapping, quirky stationery, gorgeous tea towels.
I have always loved stationery. In fact, when Officeworks first opened, I would spend hours walking up and down the aisles, I even contemplated getting married there (note I really miss the Officeworks that used to be on the Pacific Highway on the Artarmon/Lane Cove border). I’m the product sourcer and developer and Vivienne is the gift wrapped and merchandiser.
My sister does not live in Lane Cove (which I am sure she regrets), but she spends a lot of time here, and she can tell you her favourite places to shop in Lane Cove (she heads straight to Burns Bay Bookery and Zjoosh and will knock people out of the way for some goodies from Bern the Chef).
My sister will be in Lane Cove again in May conducting one of her hands on and laugh out loud gift wrapping workshops. When she is not gift wrapping, she is a management expert working with SME’s and as a leading Australian speaker on networking and making connections. Two years ago ITC held a networking function in Lane Cove for local businesses, and we were lucky enough to have Vivienne come and talk about networking. People still talk about her presentation. Given that she is an honouree Lane Covian (and she’s helped me neatly iron and wrap hundreds of Lane Cove Tea Towels) with a quirky passion I thought you might like to know more about her.
What are you passionate about?
After a career as a CEO, in management consulting and education as the Head of a P-12 coed private school, I decided to practise what I preach and pursue my passions. And my passions are gift wrapping and supporting SME’s to develop and grow through creating connections, management capability, and networks.
What drives you to gift wrap on a daily basis?
I love beautiful paper and gift wrapping. Always have. And the more we are surrounded by digital communication, the more people are drawn to the tactile joy of paper for life’s memorable moments. My great great grandfather Samuel Ramsden started Australia’s first paper mill on the banks of the Yarra River and created the first wrapping paper made in this country. So paper and business is in my blood. (note in ITC’s blood as well)
A lot of people ( yes girls and boys) love gift wrapping because it shows extra thought and care – two gifts in one. I teach people how to crack the code by discovering the simple secrets to wrapping like a professional. I knew my teaching career would come in handy again!
I now divide my time between my management consulting practice and gift wrapping – though gift wrapping is taking over and I now have a team of gift wrappers to assist me. I was invited to present gift wrapping sessions at the Style Studio at the Reed Gift Fair, one of Australia’s largest gift fairs for retailers, I’ve taught the concierges at large CBD shopping centres and held workshops for corporates such as insurance companies and digital agencies. I also run workshops, events, key note speaking and write my gift wrapping blog www.dailywrap.com.au where I describe the joys and challenges of wrapping a different gift every day to a daily theme.
My first public gift wrapping workshop was with a wonderful group of ladies (I have men in my classes too but my first one just happened to be all ladies) in Lane Cove so it holds a special place in my gift wrapping journey. The 2016 workshop program , includes workshops in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane as well as Noosa and Toowoomba.
How do Gift Wrapping and Management Consulting go hand in hand?
As is so often the case when you combine passion with purpose, gift wrapping and working with SMEs complement each other. I meet an incredible range of people who learn and share at my workshops. Gift wrapping is the perfect place to network as people do bond over a crisp fold, double sided tape and symmetrical bows. Business ideas, support and contacts flow as do the laughs.
In my CEO and management consulting role, I’ve appeared on The Project, public and commercial radio as well as in national, metropolitan and regional newspapers and magazines. I am an active key note and conference speaker because I am committed to doing absolutely whatever I can for SME’s through networking, connecting and building management capability. Gift wrapping and networking. I’m living the dream.
When is the next gift wrapping workshop?
So if you would like to learn more about gift wrapping, have a laugh and meet a gift wrapping management expert our next gift wrapping workshop is in Lane Cove is 11 May 20167.00pm to 9.00pm. ITC and Sister Gift Wrapper ITC would love to see you there.
Book Here
