The Gayles Family Business Q: Who are the Gayles and how did you guys start a family business? With over 20 years in the gift industry and sales and marketing combined, it seems only natural that two Georgia natives -- Daren and Karen Gayle -- would team up to offer Georgia gifts and souvenirs that show their Georgia pride and help others extend some down-home Southern hospitality. Karen started the business back in 2008 as a part-time home based business creating Georgia gifts and baskets via an online store. Because Atlanta is a top convention and meeting destination and gets a lot of travelers, Karen saw the need for Georgia theme gifts and decided to cater to event planners, tourists and locals who wanted a touch of Georgia. Daren came on board when the couple got married in 2011 and they have been working together in the business ever since. Daren handles sales and shipping, while Karen provides the creative direction for the gifts and administrative functions.
Q: What type of business do you own and what kind of products do you sell? At Georgia Gifts & More is a locally owned and operated gift store that offers: • • • • • • • •
Georgia gift baskets Georgia gourmet foods Georgia souvenirs Georgia sports items Georgia books Promotional products Georgia wedding favors Family reunion shirts and souvenirs
Q: Georgia gifts and more is located in Tucker, GA a metro city north of Atlanta, GA... why that location and what impact did the location play in growing your business to reach your target market? After the business outgrew our home in 2014, we went full time in the business and looked for a location that was convenient to many of our customers, vendors, suppliers and business resources, which led us to the I-85 corridor near Spaghetti Junction. The office park location was
convenient to downtown Atlanta, Gwinnett and DeKalb and gave customers a place to come in to shop instead of just shopping online. After being in that location for four years, we wanted to expand the retail shopping segment of our business and be in an actual shopping area for greater visibility while still remaining convenient to our customers and vendors. We settled in Tucker, GA on Lavista Road which was only about 10 minutes from our old location. People sometimes ask why we aren’t downtown, but we strategically didn’t want to be there. Shopping in downtown Atlanta comes with congestion, paid parking and can be inconvenient for customers. We have so many clients that appreciate the convenience of simply driving up to our store for a hassle-free shopping experience.
Q: As business owners what are some of the hurdles you had to cross to get you where you are today? As a small business, we all wear a lot of hats and have to work together as a team. Communication is key as well as setting up processes that keep everything running smoothly. Learning how to work together as a husband and wife team and still maintaining a good work-life balance is an important lesson we’ve learned.
Q: Covid 19 and the pandemic put many businesses out of business and some flourished, what impact did COVID-19 and the pandemic have on your business and how did your business Navigate through GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE | 41
