Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie McPhail.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Julie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a born and raised Texan by a monogramming, gift-giving, making every occasion special mom (and an equally remarkable dad!).
My mom made every gift imaginable for me to give and taught me how to be creative and share that love – my dad who is an engineer through and through is the brain behind making me more efficient in all tasks – and has an incredible knack for figuring out how things fit together.
I was most definitely born with the love for unique personalized gifts – it really does run through my veins!
Through the encouragement of my mom, Whatsoever Things was born in July 2015.
My sweet mom helped launch my business as my co-worker, cheerleader, supporter, ear to listen, you name it. She passed away on September 9, 2017, from pancreatic cancer. I have forged my way in this world without her by my side, but watching over me. My sweet dad and friends have stood where she no longer can stand beside me (usually helping me wrap up some Whatsoever Things during the busy season!).
I live in Dallas (Lake Highlands), Texas with the VP of Security, Ellie. If you porch pickup you may have met her when her body slams the front door to greet our awesome customers!
My friends love it when I test out new products especially when it has their name/monogram on it and we are sitting on the beach.
I am always open to new ideas – your imagination is the only limitation on what we can create! Creating whatsoever things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report… cute and custom… is what I live for! Gifts for others (and yourself, of course)!
Has it been a smooth road?
Building a small business is a bumpy road – juggling a ‘real job’, friends, family and marketing a small business in a sometimes flooded market. Finding a niche of quality custom unique products – within budget for our customers with steady growth has been the best for me!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Whatsoever Things – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Customize personalized gifts for yourself or others – finding those ‘hot’ items when others are sold out. 2015 was the year of the Yeti and I was still able to secure them through the Christmas season! Different times throughout the year I am known for being the camp trunk girl, monogrammed pumpkin girl, cute gift girl and always oh the girl that lives in Lake Highlands that makes the cute gifts! (Almost) everything that goes out the door is wrapped for gift giving which I started from the beginning – so many times gifts are picked up on the way to a party or dinner!
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Find something you love doing and make a business out of it… use the other side of your brain that does not always gets used and do not force it on your friends!
Pricing:
- Most items under $50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.whatsoeverthings.com
- Email: orders@whatsoeverthings.com
- Instagram: @whatsoever_things
- Facebook: @whatsoeverthingsdallas
Image Credit:
Stefani Marcus Photography (photo of myself and Ellie)
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