Bespoke Gifting Made Easy with The Gift Tailor | Interview with Founder Samantha Worrell

Gift giving season is here! For some, it’s an exciting time and for others, it is really overwhelming. I mean, where to begin? Especially during the holidays, there are just so many gifts that have to be bought and put together for everyone on your list whose interests are unique. Whether it’s for friends and family or even corporate clients and colleagues, the challenge that always remains is curating a gift that the recipient will truly love. Even more so, there never seems to be enough time to get it all done while putting the same amount of effort and energy into a handful of well thought out gifts.

Your gift giving fairy godmother who will make this process a whole lot easier? The Gift Tailor, a company created by Samantha Worrell that boasts bespoke gifting made stress-free and simple! Samantha takes over creative license. Once she’s taken on the responsibility for research, sourcing, wrapping and distributing the gifts, her clients receive a totally streamlined, stress-free service. All they need to do is review, approve, then sit back and look awesome! Samantha brings impact and value to her clients’ lives, firms and key relationships. 

I had the pleasure of speaking with Samantha about her incredible company and how she got started, her process and a lot more. She is truly one of the kindest, most well-spoken people I have met with with a strong passion for what she does and bringing people joy. I am thrilled to be able to introduce her to you all, especially during the holiday season!

Tell us about your company, The Gift Tailor, how it works and a little bit about your background.

Let me ask you to recall the last time you received a gift  unexpectedly? How did you feel? Was there some curiosity and maybe excitement as you opened it?

Well, THAT feeling, that I suspect your feeling right now, is what I help people to create with their personal and professional relationships everyday

For 12 years I was a know-your-client lawyer researching clients for global firms. I’ve taken my deep-dive research experience, combined it with a personal love of helping folks find and give gifts, and now deliver that secret sauce to help busy folks in their gifting situations and projects – business or holiday-related.

How did you come up with the idea for The Gift Tailor?

It came out of personal need, I’ve had times of receiving ‘interesting’ gifts, or even no gift; and times when I’ve really wanted to give somebody a gift but because of life/work I made the gifting a low priority and it just never happened. I thought there must be others that have this problem. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a service that could be me and get a gift? I ended up with how about you provide that service!

Tell us about the process of ordering a gift through your company.

Behind every gift there’s a story. Our gifts are tailored to your need, your context and what you want to convey, so here’s what we do . First we have a call to understand that context, then I go off and do all the creative research and design to curate a gift or a gift collection that would work well for the gifting situation. Clients are presented with 2-3 gift options. Once they’ve selected which they’d like to go with, we source, gift wrap / bag or box, then ship to my client, or now in this current climate, directly to the person they are gifting to. The work is all done by The Gift Tailor. My client is free to focus on their regular work, on doing what they love to do. Their gifting is taken care of, while they sit back and just receive status updates!

During the Holiday season, we’ll also offer an ‘off-the-shelf’ pop-up shop experience with some really cool items. Ideal for those that are shopping late night or last-minute gift shopping and need something to grab-and-go. 

On average, how long does it take you to find and put together a gift for a client?

The greater the notice, the better to deliver the best I can for all my clients. I recommend 4-6 weeks ahead of the date needed in hands but am open to have a conversation for a rush order. My aim is to not compromise the clients already committed to, and still be able to deliver a great job.

Do you find that there is a difference in the types of gifts that people like to receive – i.e. different parts of the country or even overseas?

I do read surveys that highlight preferences and differences based on where in the country folks are. However, because our core offering is so tailored, I think it enables us to go deeper into the culture of the particular company or relationship (business or personal) involved, and build a gifting experience which speaks specifically to that.

Where I have given internationally, on behalf of a US-based client, I don’t seek to localize the gift to where the receiver is because there’s something nice, don’t you think, in not just receiving a gift, but a gift from overseas which you won’t find so readily in your country? So I try to keep that international element in the gifting experience.

What would you say is the most challenging thing about owning your own company? What do you find is the most rewarding about owning your own company?

Both Challenging and Reward is that: You’re your own boss! Some days you don’t have the discipline to work, and some days you don’t have the discipline to stop. Too much of one will make you broke, too much of the other will make you burn out. Now I ask my several times a day, “Am I being the employee I’d want to hire and keep?” I’m also working on being efficient and effective with my work time rather than grinding around the clock for the sake of it.

How do you connect with clients and understand the vibe they are going for when looking to you to put together a gift?

Having a conversation and/or asking them to fill out a questionnaire.

Do you ever feel nervous to present a potential gift you put together to your client in case they do not like it?

Oh, always! I tell people what makes us unique is that this is a service, not a commodity. The Gift Tailor is a representing of your story. I’m trying to capture the essence of my clients’ sentiments and tell their story in a single item or a collection and I find myself really invested in the gifts. While my clients are extremely busy people, they are also very decisive people, they know when they see an idea they love … and when not so much. Because I present 2-3 options, I’ve found there’s always been at least one option (usually more) that my clients like, and that have been suitable for the occasion. 

How do you feel curated gifts translate into true connections?

It can be a way for the giver to show the recipient “Hey, I’m listening, I heard you, I know a bit about you and so I got you XYZ.” Or it can say “I care about you, I want to get to know you better, to build a relationship, so I got you XYZ to share something about me.”

Give us an example of some of your boxes! There must be so many different ideas swirling through your head always.

Ha! That’s very true, there are always gifting ideas in my noggin! Here’s a little show-and-tell. 

True Blue. A hostess gift for somebody who loved the color blue so all the treats in this gift basket had to be packages in a shade of blue, then the red basket was an intentional stark contrast, just making those blues really pop.

Moment of Mindfulness. These are available in the pop-up shop. Extremely popular this second half of the year as the cabin fever has started to set in and because there’s nothing like a warm cup of tea for a good stress reliever. 

Fancy Pantry quarantine care package. A curation of artisanal products from small, women-owned businesses to brighten up a time when we were fighting for whatever was left on the supermarket shelves.

What are some of your goals for The Gift Tailor?

Goal is for the service to continue to bring stories to life through gifting. Help people build and strengthen connections, nurture their business pipelines or express appreciation without costing them TIME.

How do you think The Gift Tailor will continue to impact both the corporate world as well as everyday people who don’t have a green thumb for gifting?

Covid is making it okay for busy professionals to admit we have personal lives and needs outside of work, but we are swamped and can’t, maybe shouldn’t, do everything. For those who want to gift but searching for gifts is not in their wheelhouse or not the best use of their time I can help them with gifts for their personal relationships and professional network.

Where do you see The Gift Tailor a year from now?

2020 has made me really think about the basics. Most importantly, I want to be in good health and wish the same for everyone involved with the company – team clients, partners, suppliers. Next I want to be saying to you, we had a good year. Who knows what the path there will look like, it has been such an unpredictable year. The business is perfectly positioned to be nimble and adaptive as this new normal world evolves.

How do you think The Gift Tailor services will impact this holiday season?

Going into 9 months of working at home all the time, there’s no more hurriedly having a few assistants run to the department store downtown, or form gifting assembly lines in the conference room mid-December. Now that folks are working at home with vastly varying domestic situations, all of this means it just might be better if you outsource your gifting to a dedicated service like The Gift Tailor.

Taking Your Side Hustle to the Next Level | Insight from Accountant Mirel Barcelo

As someone who has their own “side hustle,” it is definitely easy to get confused or even frustrated questioning whether it’s time to amp up your serious hobby into a full on business. I’ve been there, and I know many others who have run into the same challenges. However, there is a lot that goes into taking it to the next level. So how do you know when to move forward with taking that next step? Is there a right time? Do you turn your side hustle into an S-Corp or an LLC? What about filing taxes? There are so many questions that anyone with their own business or soon-to-be-business would take into account, regardless of the industry they’re in. These questions and any challenges in making that leap can apply to nearly everyone.

I couldn’t be more excited to share with you my conversation with Mirel Barcelo, founder and owner of Corp 1 Financial Services, LLC, where she offers her comprehensive services as a CPA. Today on TGB, she’s offering all of her tips into turning your side hustle into a real business, tax deductions you need to be paying attention to, steps you should be taking throughout the year to prepare for the the next tax season and so much more. I hope this insight offers some great tools to implement in your life if you may be looking to transition from a side hustle to full on biz mode!

1.     How do you treat your side hustle like your business? What are accounting steps you should take with your side hustle? 

A side hustle is a business, no matter how small. As such, the main thing to keep in mind is separate and clean records. This will not only help you determine whether or not you’re making a profit, but it will also help you during tax time to figure out deductions.

2.     What are the 10 deductions you may be missing for your side hustle? 

Most common deductions individuals don’t realize and they could be taking advantage are:

                                               i.     Start-up Costs: include every penny you spent while starting your new business.

1.    Incorporation costs, licensing fees, and computer and software expenses, among others, are deductible.

                                             ii.     Cost of sold goods: everything you buy to make money will be deductible.

1.    Purchases made to resell, costs of parts, and raw materials used for inventory are deductible.

                                            iii.     Basis: if you contribute an asset, the value of the asset will be transferred to the business, tax free, and serve as a base when selling or disposing of the asset.

                                            iv.     Car and travel: any miles or travel expenses are deductible if used for your side hustle.

1.    Business miles used for business purposes, or actual car expenses, such as gas, maintenance, and depreciation are deductible.

2.    Tolls and parking costs are deductible.

3.    Actual travel costs incurred for business purposes are deductible.

                                              v.     Home office: if there is a room in your house you turned into your home office, that portion of your house can be deducted as a non-cash expense, because you already pay to be there.

1.    Portions of rent, mortgage interests, utilities, home improvements, and depreciation can be deducted.

                                            vi.     Cell phone, phone, or fax line: the usage you give your cell phone, phone, or fax line is deductible. If the line is only used for your business, it is deductible in full.

1.    A portion of your cell phone can be allocated to your business.

2.    A dedicated phone or fax line is fully deductible.

                                           vii.     Meals: with clients, or potential clients, meals are 50-percent deductible for tax purposes.

                                         viii.    Advertising Fees: include all those expenses you make in order to promote your product, and they are 100-percent deductible.

1.    Facebook and Instagram ads are deductible.

2.    Business cards are deductible.

3.    Event expenses, such as location, catering, and souvenirs, are deductible.

                                            ix.     Postage and other supplies: this mostly applies to people doing online business and require shipping. Those who use eBay, for example, need to pay close attention to this deduction.

1.    Packing tape, boxes, and postage used on sending products are deductible.

2.    Paper, pens, pencils, and clips, among others, are deductible.

                                              x.     Qualified Business Income Deduction: after the 2018 reform, small businesses qualify for a business income deduction.

1.    Certain businesses qualify for a deduction of up to 20-percent of their qualified business income.

3.     When is it time to turn your side hustle into an S-Corp? 

Businesses should always be their own separate entity. Especially when dealing with customers and/or creditors. The most common structures for small businesses are Limited Liability Companies and S-Corporation. 

As a recommendation, I usually tell my clients to start with an LLC if they’re unsure of the direction of the business at first, especially if they are single owners/members. That way, they will not be bound by corporate regulations and they won’t have to file a separate return. When the business starts being very profitable, then I recommend turning that LLC into an S-Corporation for tax benefits and put them on a salary to avoid potential audits.      

4.     What are the steps you should be taking now with your side hustle in order to prepare for tax season next year? 

a.    Keep records of income. Tracking your income will give you an idea on whether or not your business is successful or growing. It will also give you an insight on the fees you’re charging and time spent on it. 

                                    i.     Keep separate bank accounts (even when the business is not incorporated). 

                                    ii.     Keep an excel spreadsheet with records of jobs or products sold.

                                    iii.     Some companies (Uber, Lyft, Monat) will report all your income on a 1099

                                    iv.     Make sure you are quantifying your profit/loss quarterly to determine whether or not you will need to make an estimated payment.

1.    IRS penalizes you 10% if you have a tax liability of over $1,000 come tax time and you fell below your estimated tax amounts. 

                                              v.     Talk to an accountant to ensure you are not overpaying. 

b.    Keep records of expenses. 

                                               i.     Track expenses on account or credit card designated for the business. Keep receipts and records as neat as possible.

                                             ii.     Track car mileage or car expenditures related to your business. IRS allows to use either mileage or actual expenses when it comes to reporting vehicle expenses. Having clear records of both will help determine which one will give you a bigger expense which will reduce your tax burden.

                                            iii.     Keep track of the usage of your home. If you use a part of your home for your business, it can be deductible. Make sure you keep an area designated solely for your business. 

                                            iv.     If you have a separate phone or fax line, that is 100% deductible for your business. If you use your personal phone, there are calculations to determine what percentage of the expense can be deducted. 

                                              v.     Your business can run at a loss for three out of five years before running the risk that the IRS will deem your business a hobby. 

5.     Do you think it’s always necessary, no matter what stage you are at with your side hustle to trademark it or create an LLC.? It is expensive so how do you know when it is worth the investment?

From my professional experience, I always recommend clients create an entity when doing a business venture. If you do not want to spend the money to incorporate at first, make sure your business is not high risk or high cost to consumers, as a lawsuit or bankruptcy could put you in financial jeopardy. Also, if it is almost the end of the year, and you can afford to wait, incorporate and make your entity effective as of January 1st of the following year. Corporations need separate tax returns–regardless of the number of owners–so this might cost you a bit more when presenting your income taxes.

Incorporating is not very costly and you can usually find a variety of service providers making, the process very seamless. 

Trademarks are a must when wanting to preserve proprietorship of a brand. Although not mandatory, it is definitely advisable. 

6.     What are a few of the biggest transitions or challenges people run into when transitioning from side hustle to full on business? 

The biggest challenge when running a small business is to keep things separate. Since the owners are usually funding the operation, they tend to take money from their personal accounts to buy inventory or for advertising. Also, once the business starts becoming a bit profitable, they start paying their personal expenses directly from the business. Recordkeeping is a big challenge for small business owners as well. They tend to lack the resources to hire or implement systems to document transactions. They end up overpaying taxes because they lose receipts or don’t keep proper records.

7.     Do you recommend having a business credit card for your side hustle even if you haven’t created it into a full-on business yet? Or should you just pull from your checking account? When is the right time to set that up? 

Definitely opening up a separate bank account or credit card is recommendable for any side hustle (even if it’s not incorporated). This will help during the taxes to recognize the true income and expenses associated with the business activity. This will help identify whether the business activity is profitable and ensure the taxpayer is not overpaying taxes.

As far as timing, the sooner the better. Best practice is to designate the bank account or credit card prior to initiating the business activity. 

8.     If you haven’t turned your side hustle into an S-Corp or an LLC, haven’t trademarked anything, etc. are you allowed to apply for a small business loan or must you wait until all of that is finalized and complete? 

When you’re not a separate entity, you can only apply for loans on a personal level. Raising money is one of the biggest challenges sole proprietors often face. Also, since you cannot sell stock in the business, investor opportunity is limited. Banks are also hesitant to lend to a sole proprietorship because of a perceived additional risk when it comes to repayment if the business fails.

9.     Can you speak on expenses and how to properly take into account what you are actually permitted to write off?

My suggestion is always to document everything related to the business, even when it is not expensed through the business bank account or credit card. If you are unsure if something could be deductible or not, record it anyways and present it to your tax preparer or accountant come tax filing. 

10.  Finances can always get overwhelming and confusing no matter what place you are in in your side hustle journey.  What is your top tip to stay organized throughout the year? 

My number one suggestion is be as organized as possible. Keep separate and clean records of your business activity. Also, meet with your accountant at least once every quarter and see where your business is headed. This will alleviate the tax filing process, plus transactions will be fresher in case of improper documentation. It is easier to remember a transaction that happened a month before, than a year before. Also, you will know whether or not you will have a tax liability come tax time and you can start making estimated payments. This will eliminate any penalties which can add up. 

Operation Quarantine | Effective Tips for Working Remotely Long-Term

It’s no question that in light of the global concern of COVID-19, all of our lives have been impacted. Hopefully if you are reading this, you have not been infected and are simply self-quarantining and working from home until the dust settles. I’ve of course been following nearly everyone along on Instagram to see how people are reacting to working from home, a concept that surprisingly most don’t do on a more normal basis. It’s exciting at first because you can just wake up, wear comfy clothes all day, save money on buying breakfast/lunch/coffee and can lounge while getting work done. However, it is a concept that can get old fast if you don’t follow effective protocol that keeps you motivated all day.

So what do I know about this exactly? Well… I 100% work remotely! I have for a few years now and have found my groove, but it did take some time. A lot of people on Instagram have been sharing some great tips of their own for working from home but considering I am basically a pro at the WFH life, I wanted to share some that I found have been effective for me over the last few years (meaning, they really work for the long run!).

Take Walks

I have found that taking brief walks in the morning and in the early evening help to start and end the day on the right foot. Something about breathing in the fresh air at those times just calms you down and gives you exactly what you need.

Have Snacks You Look Forward to Eating Later

This doesn’t mean candy or junk, but maybe it’s a healthy-ish recipe you made the night before that you came across on Instagram. I personally make these vegan peanut butter balls with chocolate chips and they not only keep me full, but they really do make me look forward to eating them and rewarding myself with them later because they are THAT good!

Create Boundaries

No matter what, there will always be more work to do at the end of the day. It’s so important to keep the separation of working and home life in the same space. If your hours are 10 AM - 6 PM, keep it that way. I cherish the time before and after work because it’s the only time I get for me, to be productive on TGB, work out and ultimately stay sane. It’s easy to feel guilty because the computer is always there but once you talk yourself off a ledge, I promise it’s for your own good.

Switch Rooms

Switch rooms after a while so you don’t feel stagnant or bored. A location swap is good for re-setting and getting comfortable again. Sitting in the same spot for 8 hours is dreadful.

Take a Virtual Work Out Class

Now more than ever, we are all taking advantage of the awesome fitness classes that we can access in our own living rooms due to the COVID-19 safety concerns. Taking a class also helps with your own personal boundaries too. Maybe you take a class in the morning as you normally would, or you take a “lunch break” and bang a work out out real quick. You won’t be late going back to your desk. Here are a few of my favorite work outs right now!

Barrewell (barre - my studio I belong to and is my favorite barre method hands down!) - Tons of FREE youtube video work outs

Tone It Up (mix of yoga, pilates, etc.) - The app is FREE for a month for new users

Melissa Wood Health (mix of yoga, pilates, etc.) - 7 day FREE trial for new users

9Round Laguna Niguel (a 30 minute work out that’s kickboxing centric and incorporates a functional, interval, cardiovascular and circuit training regimen) - FREE work outs on their Instagram live, and my friend is one of the trainers!

Rumble (boxing, HIIT, etc.) - One of my favorite boxing work outs! FREE on their IGTV

Hot 8 (yoga/hot yoga) - FREE hour-long classes on demand

Think in Increments

I find that dividing my day in increments is really helpful and helps the day go by a lot faster. 2-4 hour time blocks, and getting through them feels like you’re checking part of your day off your list. It helps to feel like the day is progressing vs. is just stagnant in your home working environment.

Take Coffee Breaks

It’s so easy to just heat up your coffee and continue doing you work, but give yourself a 5-10 minute break to just SIT and enjoy your coffee! Those little breaks with a coffee in hand are crucial to giving your eyes a rest and getting off the computer for a few minutes.

Voice Memo Your Friends

I do this ALL THE TIME. Some hate it, some love it. But recording memos for your friends and receiving them is a great way to keep in contact throughout the day when a story is too long to text and you don’t have a moment to get on the phone to catch up. It’s a fun way to go back and forth and it makes you feel like you are really keeping up with those connections throughout the day, especially during your most stressful times.

5 Essentials to Pack When Sleeping Out the Night Before Your Weekend Brunch

Okay – we have all been there. It’s a Friday night and you stay out too late. Or maybe, you know you’re sleeping out at a friend’s house or at your latest fling’s place. But that in no way shape or form is going to compromise your brunch plans for the next morning. There’s also a chance that you actually have no idea what tomorrow’s early day plans are but you’ve got to be prepared either way.

In my many years of brunching, I’ve learned a couple things about the essentials you need to pack with you on your night out, on the off chance you just might not be able to stop home prior. And before you do any judging, I am calling you out first because I am suuuuure you’ve run into this problem before. We all have. How do you make yourself look presentable the following day with minimum necessities on hand? You gotta think: I can borrow face wash, but what is totally unsanitary if I were to ever God forsakenly use it out of desperation?  

I have a few products I swear by that’ll get you feeling and looking fresh for the next morning.

Kopari Coconut Lipglossy – This replenishes soooo good and makes your lips coconut-y, shiny and smooth as ever. It’s loaded with antioxidants that nourish lips. It’s a lifesaver!  

The Tour Travel Brush – Need I say more? Brush your teeth, but make it chic. Love that this one is super mod and compact. If it ever falls out of your bag, it’s not obvious that it’s a toothbrush. 

Underwear – Preferably one that doesn’t cause any VPL. Hanky Panky is thin and roll-able.

Patchology FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels – Sometimes if you drink a lot the night before or don’t get enough sleep, you’ll wake up SUPER puffy. I have no shame, I love my under eye patches. Patchology has under eye gels that come in compact little packets that can slip effortlessly right into your bag.

Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Makeup Remover Pads - These are so convenient and genuinely take off every last bit of makeup. Perfect to keep on the go. Who wants to wake up with caked on makeup?…. Don’t answer that.

5 Tips for How to Brunch on a Budget

It’s no question that brunching is NOT cheap. Anyone else feel like what used to be a weekend ritual, mindlessly swiping your card at the spot everyone’s talking about is no longer? Maybe you’d even hop around a bit to a few other spots for bottomless mimosas afterwards?

Nowadays, since brunch has seriously blown up in the last few years restaurants have majorly banked on people in the 22-35 year age bracket and amped up the prices because they know that we just can’t get enough of: a good ambiance, insta-worthy food, endless mimosas and a solid excuse to start drinking in the morning with friends.

I may consider myself the brunching guru, but that’s not to say that some weekends I just have to skip brunch because I know it might burn a hole in my wallet. However, I’ve had a ton of experience with how to make sure you stay within your limits, yet still allow a little "treat yourself” moment! Here are…

5 Tips for How to Brunch on a Budget

1. Do your research before you head to the brunch spot your friends chose for this weekend. Look at their menu. Does their awesome specialty cocktail that’s $17 look totally up your alley and it’s one that you can’t leave without trying? Does the food kind of look like you can get the Belgian waffle or the omelet anywhere? Then pick a filling side order for your meal. You can always snack on something later, but at least you’ll be prepared and try what’s really worth spending the money on.

2. Drink a lot of water before and have a quick, but protein-packed snack prior. I like to sometimes eat a Larabar before - they’re dairy-free with real ingredients and are light enough that you’ll have an appetite for a real meal, but you won’t overeat or over-order.

3. Use cash when you can, and take out cash prior especially if you’re brunching with a big group. If you only ordered the pancake dish with a mimosa for a total of $20, why split the entire meal with your 6 friends who ordered 3 more drinks than you and got a million sides? If you use card, it’s easy to throw down and say “split it” but you’ll wind up spending at least another $15-$20 plus tip. If you have the cash ready, no one can say anything and you stay within your limits.

4. Does the restaurant you’re going to offer a punch bowl? Get it! Sure, $60 might sound like a lot but if you’re splitting it with a few people it actually ends up being cheaper than buying 3 drinks individually.

5. Choose a brunch spot that’s on the middle of the $$$ spectrum. Save the super expensive spot and plan it out for when you know you’ll have a good pay week. It can be made into a special occasion. There are plenty of brunch spots that are super chic and have good food and drinks that are not weird dive bar hole in the walls with mediocre menu items that you’ll be disappointed with. I always like to give myself a range of $30-40 spending MAX at brunch. $20-25 is ideal but sometimes it varies depending on the place. Budget yourself prior, set it in stone, and stick to it!

Photography by: Kiera Wood