Gifts by Natalie: Crafting Meaningful Connections Through Thoughtful Gifting

Natalie Barlett, the visionary behind the unique business, Gifts by Natalie and a graduate of the Flint Hills Business Launch cohort in Spring 2023, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey fueled by a passion for gifting and a natural talent for curating the ideal present. “I’ve always loved gifting. And I love finding the perfect thing. That’s such a great feeling for me, when I’m like, ‘I nailed it,’” she shares, reflecting on her path to entrepreneurship.

Her return to Manhattan one year ago from Pennsylvania, where she and her husband taught for 15 years, marked a pivotal transition that momentarily stalled her business growth. However, her commitment to make new connections and establish herself in the community became the catalyst for the resurgence of her business. “It was a slow-growing process, and then I felt like the move froze the growth for a minute. And now, a year and a half later, we’re growing a business,” Natalie states, symbolizing her business’s resilience.

Natalie’s venture into customized gifting originated from recognizing the absence of personalized touch in other gift curation services, or the feeling of overwhelm people experienced when shopping for personal or professional gifts. “Other people told me that they either didn’t love the process, or they’re like, ‘I don’t have the ideas, I don’t get it.’ And I was like, ‘Really? I can do it for you,’” Natalie recalls, illustrating how her skill set could offer a unique service to others.

Gifts by Natalie stands apart by focusing on purposeful gifting. “I see my service as completely unique because you don’t hear about someone doing this very often,” Natalie observes. Her emphasis lies in crafting gifts composed of useful items, avoiding mere filler pieces, to ensure every item serves a meaningful function. “I focus on only utilizing useful products in the gift, they have to be thoughtful. I like them to be unique, but they have to have a purpose.”

Her approach to gifting revolves around personalization, tailoring each gift to the receiver’s interests and emotions. “I work based on what you know about them, plus your budget. And so, I curate a gift specifically for the receiver based on the interests that they have. If you don’t know the person, I ask them to tell me how they want the receiver to feel and then I curate the gift around that feeling, So, hopefully, when they open it or receive it, that they experience that feeling,” she explains.

Her enthusiasm for gifting transcends mere transactions. “Gifting shows people that you’re thinking of them and that you care,” Natalie emphasizes, acknowledging the profound impact of giving. “You have a bigger bump in your satisfaction of life if you give versus receive,” she emphasizes, diving into the psychological benefits intertwined with the act of giving, highlighting its role in fostering meaningful connections.

Sarah Siders presenting Women Entrepreneur Advocate of the Year award to Natalie Barlett at the Women in Entrepreneurship End of Year Celebration and Awards 2023.

Reflecting on societal norms around gifting, Natalie advocates for a deeper connection beyond obligatory occasions, stating, “I think there’s some customs in our society that kind of push gifting. Not that people have to gift, but there’s more of a societal pressure depending on what you’re celebrating, that sometimes gifts are involved.” She advocates for gifting as an avenue for heartfelt sentiments, bridging gaps in our increasingly fast-paced lives. “I feel that if we step away from the more pressured gifting, we can see that gifting is just another way to connect with people.”

Moreover, her commitment to sourcing from local businesses and fostering partnerships is a testament to her dedication to community support and collaboration. Natalie shares, “To be able to see multiple events in our community based on business that I can go to, and then I meet another person and another person. Because I want to work with other small businesses, I don’t only need to connect to build relationships for clients and customers, I also need to figure out who I can work with for vendors.”

This dedication recently earned her the esteemed title of Women Entrepreneur Advocate of the Year at the Women in Entrepreneurship End of Year Celebration and Awards, symbolizing her impactful role in advocating for fellow entrepreneurs and cultivating a thriving ecosystem of small businesses.

The Manhattan community, notably supported by Spark, has been instrumental in Natalie’s entrepreneurial journey. “Once I met Sarah from Spark, I was informed that there’s all these resources that have been put together intentionally for small businesses to succeed and at lower cost points, because they truly understand where a new business is coming from, which has been absolutely amazing,” Natalie expresses, showcasing the immense value of community resources and networking opportunities in nurturing her business. “So I would say just having those resources available in a community is huge, and not just the connections.

“Participating in Business Launch was an opportunity to really dive in and learn more, but also connect with others in the community. The more people I meet in Manhattan, the more supported I feel and even more businesses that’s also coming in,” she adds, highlighting the enriching experience that programs like the Flint Hills Business Launch offer by fostering a robust network and knowledge-sharing platform for budding entrepreneurs.

Regarding the importance of local small businesses, Natalie’s sentiment resonates deeply: “I think small businesses are the community, because the people running them are your neighbors and they are you, and they’re the people who live there.” Her emphasis on the symbiotic relationship between local businesses and the community underscores their indispensable role in fostering interconnectedness.

Natalie participating at a vendor event this past year.

For fellow business owners, Natalie’s advice encapsulates the essence of her own journey. She emphasizes the necessity of stepping out of comfort zones in entrepreneurship, particularly when it comes to networking. Natalie highlights the challenge of attending events without knowing anyone but underscores their vital role in establishing an entrepreneurial support system,“Just getting out in some way is vital because that’s where you’re going to find your support system.” Her own experience attests to the value of these connections, “That’s where I have connected with the most valuable people, other small business owners and mentors.” Encouraging persistence, she notes, “It’ll happen, it takes a little bit of time, but you can do it, just keep going to events.”

Expanding into professional gifting, Natalie notes her transition into catering to businesses. Amidst the bustling holiday season and end-of-year gifting, she has taken on the challenge of accommodating both personal and professional gifting, recognizing the significance of showing appreciation to clients and employees alike.

As Natalie navigates this busy season and the expansion of her business, her passion for meaningful gifting remains steadfast. Gifts by Natalie is not merely a business; it’s an embodiment of care, connection, and the art of thoughtful giving—each gift a personalized token reflecting the unique essence of its recipient.

Are you seeking the perfect present to share? Dive into unique, purposeful gifts tailored just for your special occasions. Discover more at Natalie's website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook for inspiring gifting ideas. Join her Facebook group to be part of an engaging community celebrating the joy of giving!