THE founder of Athenagifts.com, Emma Crawford, is to open her first gift shop in Rose Street, Aberdeen, just five months after the launch of her e-commerce website and some two years ahead of her business plan.
This follows the success of her online shop, which sells jewellery and accessories throughout the UK.
The shop, which opened two weeks ago, will offer products including candles, handbags and locally made crafts plus jewellery made by local designers.
The opening has created two part-time jobs besides a role for Ms Crawford.
Despite the economic downturn, Athenagifts.com has been steadily growing and expanding its client base since its inception.
Most of the goods sold are made by local suppliers and it is hoped through time that all goods will be sourced locally.
It has had more than 3,000 customers to date.
Ms Crawford will retain her online presence and promote the brand in the new outlet.
Although the move has come much sooner than expected, business owner Ms Crawford, 29, from Aberdeen, feels the time is right for Athena Gifts to move into its own premises.
She said: “Athenagifts.com has done so well over the past five months. It has given me the confidence to invest further into the business and to continue offering what people are looking for in these hard times: good quality affordable gifts. Most suppliers are small, up-and-coming makers and crafters, who offer unusual contemporary products, which are difficult to find elsewhere. I’m looking forward to growing the business.”
Before launching her online business Ms Crawford was a customer-service supervisor with an Aberdeen firm making subsea signage.