Many people have a piece of swag that stays with them. Most mornings, I drink out of a coffee cup given to me by an elevator manufacturing company whose testing facility I toured with my wife. (It's a long story…) That cup has sat at my desk during meetings and while I worked on passion projects, and it's been my mug of choice for hot cocoa on cold winter nights, as I stare at the holiday lights reflected in my window. I can't be sure of a lot of things, but I am sure that I have a favorite elevator manufacturer, in no small part due to that mug.
The right gift for the right person can forge a relationship that lasts years. VistaPrint is known for delivering that gift. Whether you're thanking an employee for their hard work or expressing gratitude for a customer, VistaPrint offers a curated, reliable and premium experience that simplifies the process and makes your small business look deluxe. Still searching for the right option? Let's hear from three small business owners about the products they've ordered and how custom gifts from VistaPrint have brought them closer to their customers, employees and partners.
Ziggy’s Roman Cafe
When speaking to Helen Zhang, co-founder of Ziggy’s Roman Cafe in Brooklyn, New York, it was clear that gifting was part of a larger, holistic approach to the kind of service Ziggy's wants to bring to its community. "Hospitality is about making people feel thought of, and gifting is an extension of that. Our team and our regulars have helped make Ziggy’s what it is. The holidays are an opportunity to thank them with something tangible that they can use and enjoy. It’s a small gesture that carries the same message we try to communicate in the restaurant. That we’re glad they’re here."
Zhang wanted something meaningful, so she turned to an example set by a customer. "Two of our regulars gave us a handwritten goodbye note before moving to Austin," says Zhang. "I’ve thought about it so many times since. They took the time to tell us what Ziggy’s meant to them, and that stayed with me. A physical holiday card is a chance to return that IRL thoughtfulness in a world that’s exponentially more lived on screens." VistaPrint's simple design tools helped Zhang find the right premium paper stock and an easy design template that helped her card stand out in physical mailboxes.
Zhang didn't stop there. She also picked up a selection of crewneck sweatshirts and beanies. Premium offerings like those are great for clientele as well as employees. After all, someone choosing to wear your brand on their chest isn't just good advertising. It's emotional. "Seeing someone wear Ziggy’s out in the neighborhood means so much. They’ve taken a place that’s personal to us and made it part of their own lives," says Zhang.
MILKish
If you have a unique offering, you have to work twice as hard to stand out. Everyone has heard of almond milk, but watermelon seed milk is a whole other ball game. "Froth it for lattes, pour over matcha, blend into smoothies, pour over cereal, or even drink it straight from the glass — it’s delicious in any way," says Maia Silva, the founder of MILKish. As the founder of a new brand, he's keenly aware that, for small businesses, every relationship counts. "Every customer matters. So whenever we get a chance to show that appreciation with a gift, whether it’s to our customers, the baristas we work with, cafes or small grocery store owners, we take it."
MILKish has worked with VistaPrint on a variety of offerings, including branded tote bags, tumblers and even lip balm. "The wide variety of products to choose from made it a lot easier to find the perfect fit for us," says Silva. "What’s better than walking into your local cafe in your MILKish merch, ordering a watermelon seed milk latte, and having it poured into your MILKish tumbler instead of a disposable cup?" These high-quality products surprise and delight their customers, keeping them coming back to see what's next.
VistaPrint's branded options don't stop at gifts. MILKish has ordered seasonal packaging, including mailer boxes, packing tape and tissue paper, offering a holistic approach to customer satisfaction. "We have a strong brand personality, so all of our materials, including packaging, have to show that," says Silva. "These packaging elements give off the exact vibe, excitement, and uniqueness that embodies MILKish before they even see the bottle."
Moonrise Bagels
Ali Chetkof Rhodes, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Moonrise Bagels, is used to making things from scratch. As the inventor of the Original Stuffed Bagel, high quality is vital to their business and, like many small business owners, the holidays are vital. "We’re incredibly lucky and grateful to have an amazing team that embraces the holiday rush," says Rhodes. To show appreciation for the team, Rhodes reached out to VistaPrint. "For the past few years, we’ve gifted the team personalized sweatshirts that we don’t sell in stores. It’s a way for us to not only say thank you for a great year and a great season but to show them we appreciate them with an exclusive team-only gift." The sweatshirts were such a hit that they've expanded their gifting suite. "We’re so excited to be working with VistaPrint to gift beanies and mugs to our team in addition to sweatshirts this year. It’s such a great feeling to see our team rocking their branded swag in and out of work, and it's important for us to gift the team items that they actually use."
In addition to gifts for the team, Moonrise has put together holiday cards and stickers for some of their customers. "A card note with an order is such a small but impactful way to show your customer you care about them. People remember how you make them feel, and when you go even above the norm. When you send a card, the customer remembers it, and it will keep them coming back after the holidays are over. Holiday sales are great, but you know what’s better? A customer that shops with you throughout the year."
That's always the point of a custom gift, whether it's a calendar, a holiday card, a gorgeous sweater in a custom box, or even a mug from an elevator manufacturing company. A good one resonates throughout the year, bringing customers back to the small business that made them feel special. That's what VistaPrint excels in. Helping you find the right gift to make the right impression.
