Written by Shaun Ryan
The struggle to find her grandmother the perfect gift and a desire to start an E-commerce store was motivation enough for a Maryborough entrepreneur to turn her passion into a business.
Michelle Warren launched Holabox nearly two years ago and has been offering customers boutique and artisanal gifts and box hampers at the best prices ever since.
Michelle said Holabox operates primarily as a gift and box hamper service with ready to ship boxes available online.
People wanting to customise their gifts can do so instore or online via Holabox’s build-a-box function.
“I was shopping around for a gift for my grandmother and I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. I was thinking about starting my own E-commerce store at the time and that was what really got me thinking,” Michelle said.
Michelle said she had wanted to start an E-commerce store centred around artisanal products that were beautifully made and developed by small Australian businesses.
“The idea grew from there and together with my love for sending gifts, Holabox became a reality in October 2019,” she explained.
Since then, the company has grown at a rapid rate and was able to successfully navigate the worst of the COVID-19 storm that saw many businesses across the world close their doors.
“Things really picked up when COVID-19 struck. I had to get my head around selling non-essential items during a pandemic but then I reaslised I was helping put smiles on people’s faces,” Michelle said.
She said Holabox was beneficial to people on both sides of the exchange.
The person receiving the gift is able to unbox something sent especially to them by someone special, while the sender has the satisfaction of knowing they’re making someone’s day that much brighter with quality Australian products.
The online store allows people to select and deliver gifts across the country, with some international orders already completed.
Gift boxes destined for the Fraser Coast and immediate surrounding areas are delivered on the same day if ordered before 11am.
People who shop instore can choose to take the gifts home themselves or have them delivered.
Gift boxes for someone special are not the only products available from Holabox.
Michelle said around 50 per cent of their sales are corporate gifts sent to employees and clients.
Whatever your reason for sending some cheer, check out Holabox and share some love from Maryborough to the rest of the country.
You can visit the Holabox team at their new premises at 198 Walker Street or online at https://holabox.com.au.