Blog 1:
My Name is Rachael Dandy & I am the owner of Eden Gifts Company, a beautiful gift store located in Kilcoole Co Wicklow. After 22 years in Financial Services I was hit with an unexpected illness, I had to say goodbye to a successful career which I loved very much. The job suited me so well as it was very people centric, I spent all day long engaging with business owners and hearing all about their businesses from start up's to companies in business 100 years. I always found it so fascinating. Hearing their story and the pride they had. It fed my underlying craving to run my own business, my death bed regret I would call it if I never got the opportunity. Immersed in this world I was somewhat satisfied.
Life can throw you a few nasty curveballs. Sometimes it can take a few years for you to look back to see the good in the bad, that the pain was worth it. It was a very difficult decision to say goodbye to my long career however my brain and my body wasn't able. I will probably go into further into this in a different blog in the future. I have made my peace with it and Eden Gifts Company was born when the door to my career was closed. It is funny how things work out. Without going through years of being ill, this dream of mine wouldn't have materialised.
My goal for this business was to spread love through gift giving, the small attention to detail, my beautiful custom made Eden boxes and the presentation of the gifts. Little did I know that I would quickly return to my roots from my previous career and support the local business community. I was always really good at it and I had a passion for it, so why not?
I always bought into shopping locally, supporting the local retailer where your euro is valued, you're not just a number. There's a connection there, a conversation, an interest. They know your name, you know theirs. There is a lot to be said for that in this world we live in. I want to go a level deeper, I want my store to support layers of local. The cards you buys, the sweets, the candles, the paintings, the face creams! There is a story behind each of these local creators, a story I know, a story I want to tell. Their products are of the highest quality, the passion they have is evident. I want to help them bring brand awareness to their products and support them.
Bread & Weather is a great example, I cannot keep these amazing products in stock. Every morning, I open my store to the most amazing scent of Ella's handmade soaps and candles. I think of so many mass produced candles and soaps on the market and none come close to these. I rave about her products when someone comes into the store with pride. They really are a work of art.
I now proudly stock ten local creators in store with a list of local businesses as long as my arm waiting to be added to the shelves. As a start up business I now need to turn my existing stock into cashflow to be in a position to buy local. 90% of my stock has been local in 2024. I do pride myself in finding unique items also, which I do get further afield and these have been popular in store.
I don't know if it's the fact we live by the sea or the fact that we are just Irish but the storm predictor has been a great seller in store and something I will always stock. It's such a beautiful looking item for the home. It's always a talking point in the store.
What to expect in store? A warm welcome from the owner, a showcase of local created products and unique items. You will find a wide range of products suitable for all budgets. You will always have a helping hand.
