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Unplugged:

From Bedroom Hampers to a Growing Brand

What started as a thoughtful Christmas gift for his mum sparked an unexpected business idea. When the gift arrived without a note, it raised a simple question: why aren’t gifts more personal the moment you open them? That question turned into an idea for designing hampers that felt personal right from the start. From packing them in the living room with his dad while the rugby was on, to securing their first big contract with VW, the business began to grow from something small into something real.

A Family Effort That Scales Up

As things pick up, especially around Christmas, it turned into a bit of a family operation. Everyone got involved. Friends, partners, anyone willing to lend a hand when things get hectic. Over the years, the business has shifted from a seasonal side hustle into a full-time, year-round company. While Christmas is still the busiest time of year, growth has meant they’re no longer reliant on just a few months to keep things going.

Finding the Unexpected Market

When the idea first started, the vision was small. It was just about keeping busy during the quieter months as a graphic designer. But after a few successful collaborations and seeing real demand, it became clear there was a much bigger opportunity here. Now, they’re competing in a space with brands ten times their size, and holding their own. The difference comes from doing things a little differently. They’ve made it their mission to innovate on what a hamper can be, constantly thinking about how to offer something new.

Growing with the Right Support

Partnering with a local agency brought new tools into the business, from a fully custom ecommerce site to picking and packing software that’s completely transformed operations. Before, things were done manually, which made it hard to keep up during peak periods. Now, they can track everything from production to fulfilment, making decisions on staffing and stock based on live data. These changes didn’t just make the day-to-day smoother, they gave the business more room to scale.

Making Marketing Count

Alongside the new website came a proper marketing strategy. Google Shopping, PPC and SEO have made a real impact, especially as they can now clearly track return on investment. It’s allowed the team to see exactly what’s working and where to spend more time and energy. Most of their orders come from corporate clients, but now they’re seeing more interest from local customers too, which is helping them build a stronger base in Hull and the surrounding areas.

Doing Things Face-to-Face

One of the things that’s made this collaboration work is being able to meet in person. Whether it’s popping down the road for a catch-up or walking through the warehouse to get a feel for how things run, that face-to-face connection has been invaluable. It’s made brainstorming ideas easier, solving challenges quicker and building a sense of trust that’s hard to replicate over emails and calls. Having a local partner who understands the business has played a big part in their recent success.

Big Ideas from Small Moments

One of the standout moments came when his young daughter visited the office during the school holidays and came up with the idea for a Christmas tree-shaped hamper. They made it, launched it, and it became their bestseller. It’s a great reminder that good ideas can come from anywhere, and sometimes the most personal touches are the ones people love most. From a small bedroom project to a growing business with a warehouse, a custom-built platform and a loyal customer base, this is a story about passion, family, and turning creativity into something tangible.