How She Made Over $300,000 Wrapping Gifts: A Side Hustle Success Story

'I Just Hustled': How Michelle Hensley Earned Over $300,000 Wrapping Gifts

Source: Entrepreneur

Background and Pillars of Resilience

• Michelle Hensley faced a life-altering event when her husband, a pastor, passed away from cancer in 2014, leaving her to support her family alone.
• At 50, she experienced an identity crisis and was unsure how to manage finances or find work.

Turning Grief Into Action

• After initial struggles, she hired a financial coach who encouraged her to explore entrepreneurship.
• Despite her hesitation due to grief, she pivoted to a familiar area: creating gift baskets.

Building Nifty Package Co.

• Hensley launched her luxury gift basket and wrapping service, Nifty Package Co., in 2015 as a side hustle.
• She learned through experience, particularly about pricing and managing a business.

Growth and Innovation

• Inspiration struck during the 2018 holiday season, leading her to start a gift-wrapping service that leveraged unused resources like her van.
• She quickly garnered clients willing to pay for premium wrapping services.

Clientele and Revenue

• Today, Nifty Package Co. serves high-profile clients, including celebrities and corporations, emphasizing quality and personalized service.
• The business achieved over $316,000 in sales last year, with gift-wrapping services representing 68% of revenue.

Franchising Opportunities

• Hensley is exploring franchising to expand her business model, providing support for new licensees.
• The company employs over 20 staff locally and 60 throughout the U.S., focusing on supporting diverse communities.

Continued Vision and Values

• Nifty Package Co. thrives on its mission to "bring joy" through thoughtful gifting, ensuring every client feels valued, regardless of the size of their order.
• Hensley’s story exemplifies resilience, innovation, and the power of community support in entrepreneurship.