Sara Alison | www.wrapelope.com

Ready-made gift wrap envelopes made of recycled material!

I wanted to create something that would incorporate functionality as well as convenience and most importantly would be environmentally friendly.

My current success has been achieved by wide diversification of interests and careers in different fields (up to now) in employment. They have ranged from catering management, sales and marketing recruitment and an independent textile consultant.

5 Years ago returning from Paris, my ”Eureka” moment came and I knew without doubt that my wealth of self generated ideas would only happen if I struck out on my own.

Who are you, Sara?

I have always been interested in design in particular gift packaging and knew that I had a good eye for colours and putting together palettes that really worked well together. This came from my mother who used to run her own vintage clothing business so I grew up surrounded by beautiful pieces of designer clothing and accessories.

I wanted to create something that would also incorporate functionality as well as convenience and most importantly would be environmentally friendly.

My inspiration came when I was buying a CD in a well known record store. I felt so frustrated when i came home, started to cut up a big piece of roll wrap (badly!) hunting out the sellotape and finally wrapping the CD. It was all so time consuming.

This was my main motivation to create a range of ready-made gift wrap envelopes that could potentially be sold at the counter for shoppers also buying CDs and DVDs as gifts.

Since 2006 my range of ready made gift wrap products has evolved and to meet the demands of a fast paced retail environment in particular the huge growth of on-line shopping.

I created a brand of Wrapelopes cross between gift wrap and envelope and I successfully registered the design in January 2009. The current Wrapelope mark 2 is my most exciting wrap yet as after years of working closely with my manufacturers I have created a range of various sizes that can pretty much wrap any gift from a small jewellery box to a mobile phone and the latest must have jeans ! Every Wrapelope looks stylish with a gorgeous satin ribbon tie, the present can be wrapped in seconds and is –re-usable – the gift wrap that keeps on giving.

What change do you bring about and how are you doing it?

I am very proud to have created a concept in gift wrapping that is sustainable. Statistics in the UK show that every Christmas we throw out 65 Kilometres of gift wrap which gives you some indication of the waste equates to wrapping the Island of Guernsey!

Being an entrepreneur has not come without its headaches and over the years I have experienced some major challenges. My determination and tenacity is unbroken notwithstanding an unforeseen failure by a major high street music store group which threatened the future of my company in the early days. This was due to my lack of experience with an understanding of supplier agreements and not taking care of the legal aspects required when dealing with the multi-nationals.

What networks work best for you?

Every networking event I have attended over the years has given me something positive to think about. I have found in particular that other Female Business owners have provided the most inspiration. Being open and honest about both successes and failures is a great way to connect and to share your Ideas . I find women really champion other women and are genuinely interested in your business offering up lots of ideas and contacts that will help you along the road of success .