Austin | Fowler’s Post

Tis the season to consider gifts for your team! (Or your boss?!) How do you think about and approach this? My thoughts: Do You • Make choices aligned with your values • Show your appreciation for your team in a relevant way • No need to go overboard, the gesture can go a long way Be inclusive • Consider your religion or Holiday celebrations, while also recognizing others!! • Some people may be uncomfortable receiving a gift from a superior – how might you make it optional or safe to turn down? • All of your directs get the exact same gift, no favorites, no coal FAQs Q1: My company has a gifting policy... A: Yeah... likely a guideline that doesn't have nuance and more about vendors. Q2: ...and a limit of $12 a person what do I do?! A: Maybe a giftcard to a local (for them!) coffee shop? Q3: Should I do the same as my peers? A: This is a can of worms, and usually devolves into budget questions that bring you back to Q1 & 2. See "Do You". What am I missing?

Supporting Small Businesses This Holiday Season As we head into the holiday season, let’s remember the impact our purchases can make. Small businesses have weathered so much these past few years, and now is the perfect time to support the local shops, restaurants, and service providers that give so much to our communities. Here’s how we can help small businesses this holiday season: 1. Shop local: Choose to buy gifts, decorations, or meals from small, independent businesses. Every purchase supports a dream and keeps our communities vibrant. 2. Gift experiences or services: Think beyond products and consider gifting experiences like a local class, spa treatment, or even pet-sitting services from small, community-driven businesses. 3. Spread the word: Recommend your favorite small businesses to friends and family. Write positive reviews, share their posts, or tag them in your holiday shopping photos. 4. Buy gift cards: Even if you don’t have immediate use for a product or service, gift cards are a great way to support a small business now and use later. Let’s make this holiday season not just about giving to loved ones but also about giving back to the businesses that are the backbone of our economy. #ShopSmall #SupportLocal #SmallBusiness #HolidayShopping #GiveBack #CommunityFirst

T-minus 31 days. Don't know what's in 31 days? Well, in about 24-30 days you'll realize the answer...... ......it's Mother's Day! But, by the time you see it on the calendar, it's almost always too late to order a meaningful and heartfelt gift for the important mom in your life and you'll be left stressing and scrambling. Sure, they may like what you manage to find but you'll end up with that feeling of "ugh, I could have done better!" Here's a better solution: get a Tom James Gift Card. First off, it comes in a really cool box (who doesn't love a cool box?). Secondly, it's more than just giving clothing, you're giving them an experience. We come to them at their preferred location, will discuss their whole wardrobe with them and custom measure them for the perfect outfit. It's a guaranteed one of a kind gift they'll never forget. We'll do all the work and you'll be left with all the credit of having given a perfect gift. Check it out down below: # #TwinCitiesCustom #CustomClothes #Clothing #MothersDay

Can you believe Christmas is in one week?! Where has the time gone? If you are the type to do last-minute gift shopping, you are down to the wire. Don't get caught up in the desire to 'just buy' and spend haphazardly. Here are 3 quick tips to keep your spending in check while finding meaningful gifts: 1️⃣ Set a spending limit for each person and stick to it. 2️⃣ Get creative with DIY gifts, like homemade treats, photo albums, or handwritten coupons for quality time. 3️⃣ Shop smart: Look for local deals, gift card bundles, or small businesses offering unique, affordable options. Thoughtful gifts don’t have to break the bank, and neither does your penchant for last-minute shopping. #HolidayBudgetTips #LastMinuteGifts #SaveMoney #ChristmasShopping

Today is a day to honor the heart ❤️ and soul of our local communities – the small, family-owned businesses that bring character, uniqueness, and personal service into our lives. Local businesses need more than our patronage; they need our active support to thrive. Here are some ways you can make a difference: 🛍️ Shop Local: Every purchase at a local business keeps money within the community, supports local employment, and invests in the community's health and future. 📣 Social Media Shoutouts: Share your positive experiences and purchases on social media. Tag the business 🏪 and use hashtags like #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBiz to increase their visibility. ⭐ Leave Reviews: Take a few minutes to leave a positive review online. These are golden for small businesses and can significantly influence potential customers. 🎁 Gift Cards and Merchandise: Purchasing gift cards or merchandise is a great way to show support, especially during slow seasons or downturns. 💬 Engage and Refer: Engage with their posts, attend events they host, and refer friends. Word-of-mouth is incredibly powerful for small businesses. 🤝 Patience and Understanding: Remember that mom and pops may not have the same resources as big chains. Show a little extra patience and understanding with their processes. Happy #NationalMomAndPopBusinessOwnersDay from our family-owned business! 💜

Is it someone’s birthday? An anniversary? Did they just graduate? We have something very special you can gift them: a baby tree! This may seem like an unconventional gift but it is actually great for ANY occasion. Trees symbolize growth, strength, and the enduring nature of relationships - the perfect gift, right? The process of getting your tree could not be easier. Just follow these steps: 1. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲 after browsing our 15 different tree species and consider buying a tree along with one of our partners. 2. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 your tree by adding your company logo to the pot or purchase a personalized gift card! 3. 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗹 your tree through the letterbox! It's as easy as that. #sendatree #giftatree #greengifting #sustainablegifting #treemore

The moment I shut my car door in the town square (yes, an actual town square, and it's as amazing as it sounds), and looked around, I felt better. No bell rang when entering the local bookstore; instead, I paused at the doorway, waiting for the man exiting to finish a spirited conversation with the owner. The store's small size didn't matter, because I was spoilt for choice with the owner's selections, and taken aback when she insisted on wrapping a gift card for a friend in a bag, whipping around to secure a multi-colored raffia bow and tie it animatedly. I then passed the corner chocolate shop that just opened, smiling at the family of 5 line up for ice cream and momentarily transported to grabbing a cup (cones can't properly hold the marshmallow fluff topping I ordered every time) at the local store with my dad as a kid. It felt like a Hallmark afternoon, without the whole "busy big city girl gets stuck in a small town for Christmas and reevaluates her life" plot line. There were a few more tiny, memorable moments that afternoon, but I won't bore you. Here's why this matters: Sometimes when you need to get out of your head, the very first step is to get out of your house. Whether you're stuck on a project, had a tough client call, are contemplating your next career move, or maybe just need a break -- we all do -- literally stepping out of your environment can be the perfect reset. 10/10 recommend taking a walking meeting, scheduling a break to take a short drive, or trying to get a few blocks in before you log on in the morning. Who knows -- you might even find a new-to-you book (or chocolate) store. 🌤

🗣️ Always the same question: “Do you offer repair gift cards?” ❓ The answer was no, until now. We gave it a try with a handful of companies this year. Now we keep going: Before we dive into the season of overrrrrrconsumption, we’re officially rolling out a gift that lasts: MENDED 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 & 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗮𝘀! 🎉 For companies and their employees. We have 3 more spots left. Sign up for the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/e9mHMHuC Corporate Christmas packages tend to be filled with "stuff no one needs", so it's exciting to instead "keep some stuff in play" this year. MENDED Repair Gift Cards: 🔒 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: To keep the experience personal and impactful. 🎁 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 & 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲: A one-of-a-kind gift that others won’t have. 🔄 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 & 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲: Easy to pass on and no due date. Cheers to keeping clothes (& christmas) in play, Agnes #christmas #sinterklaas #repairgiftcard #repair

Here is a little behind the scenes to what we do: a client came to us for support at the F1 race. We started by ensuring that all details where planned. And as we were expecting, in the relaxed atmosphere of the race, they got to connect with their clients on a deeper level. It showed us how important these moments are for building strong relationships in business. But the main approach I have to planning this come from a personal preference of mine: if you know me you know I don’t like giving or receiving gift cards. Why? Because it's about showing that even if I miss the mark, I took the time and mental effort to try to get them someone something they like, and actually thought about them. This applies to clients too. Taking care of their needs during the event (in this case simple ear plugs, power banks or drinks) shows you're thinking about them and seeing their reaction to it is a perfect brand building moment. And you know what? It doesn't matter if you don't have a big budget. What counts is putting thought into what you do. Just putting yourself in your clients shoes and doing the little things make a big difference in how clients see you and your business.

If you're a feminist, married to one, raising one, or just love supporting women-owned, ethical brands, I wanted to share something that might help with your holiday shopping. We , at The Feminist Shop, have put together some great gift guides with thoughtful items that make a statement. Whether you're looking for something empowering for yourself or a friend, there’s a lot to choose from – and there are some discounts available until Monday! (link in comments!) And if you happen to work for a company that’s looking to do something a little different for employee gifts, I’d love to share a recent project we worked on. We helped a small business create a special gift experience for their team—sending out a branded PDF with feminist book recommendations and a gift card so employees could choose their own gifts. It was a simple way to support both individuals and meaningful causes. 💡 Just thought I’d share in case it sparks any ideas for your holiday shopping (or your company’s gifts this year)!