Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of Running Gift Sanctuary
Ever wondered what it's really like to run a small online gift shop? Spoiler: it involves a lot of coffee, too many browser tabs, and regular interruptions from small humans.
Why I Started Gift Sanctuary
From a very young age, I've always loved browsing gift shops. There's something magical about discovering that perfect present for someone special. But over the years, I noticed something frustrating: most gift shops sell the same mass-produced items. Walk into one high street shop, and you'll find nearly identical products in the next.
I wanted to create something different. Gift Sanctuary exists to showcase handmade, artisan gifts from around the world - the kinds of unique pieces you won't find in every other shop. Items with character, craftsmanship, and a story behind them.
The Reality of My Working Day
I work Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm, then again from 5pm to 9pm. Saturdays are 10am to 6pm. Those split shifts? They're built around the school run. I drop the children off in the morning and collect them at 3:15pm in the afternoon.
My partner is incredibly supportive, but running a business from home whilst juggling family life is... let's just say it's never boring.
What Actually Fills My Day
People often think running an online shop is just listing products and posting on social media. If only! Here's what actually happens:
Product Research (Hours and Hours of It)
This is probably where I spend most of my time, and it's the hardest part of my day. Finding quality, handmade gifts that aren't already everywhere else takes serious detective work. I'm constantly searching for artisan suppliers, evaluating quality, checking reviews, comparing prices, and making sure products are genuinely unique.
I won't add something to Gift Sanctuary unless I genuinely believe it's special. That means saying "no" to a lot of products, even when they'd be easy to sell.
SEO and Website Work
I spend a significant amount of time on search engine optimisation - making sure people can actually find Gift Sanctuary when they're looking for thoughtful, unique gifts. This involves keyword research, updating product descriptions, improving site structure, and constantly learning about Google's latest changes.
It's technical, it's detailed, and it's never really "finished." But it's essential.
Social Media Marketing
Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram - each platform needs different content, different timing, different strategies. I create pins, write posts, engage with followers, and try to stay on top of trends.
Some days the content flows easily. Other days I'm staring at a blank screen wondering what on earth to post that hasn't been said a thousand times before.
Blogging (My Favourite Part)
This might surprise you, but blogging is genuinely the best part of my day. I love writing, I love sharing ideas, and I love the creative freedom of it. Whether it's gift guides, behind-the-scenes posts like this one, or helpful content for customers, blogging feels less like work and more like... well, fun.
Constant Learning
The e-commerce world changes constantly. What worked last month might not work this month. I dedicate time every single day to learning something new - whether it's about social media marketing, SEO, customer psychology, or industry trends.
YouTube tutorials, online courses, industry blogs, forums - I'm always trying to improve and stay current.
The Chaos Factor
Here's the honest truth: I usually have about fifteen browser tabs open at once. I'll be researching a supplier in one tab, writing a blog post in another, checking Pinterest analytics in a third, and updating a product description in a fourth.
And then the children will burst in asking for a snack, or my partner will ask a question, and suddenly I'm typing the wrong thing in the wrong tab. I've accidentally pasted product descriptions into Pinterest posts and blog content into supplier emails more times than I'd like to admit.
It's chaotic. It's messy. But it's real.
Why I Keep Going
Running Gift Sanctuary isn't easy. The hours are long, the work is constant, and there's always something that needs doing. But when a customer messages to say they found the perfect gift for someone special, or when I discover an amazing artisan product that I know people will love, it all feels worth it.
I'm building something that matters to me - a shop that celebrates craftsmanship, uniqueness, and thoughtful gift-giving. A shop that's different from all those high street stores selling the same mass-produced items.
And honestly? I still love browsing gift shops. I probably always will. But now I get to create one too.
The Takeaway
If you're thinking about starting your own online business, here's what I'd tell you: it's harder than you think, it takes longer than you expect, and you'll make mistakes. Lots of them.
But if you're passionate about what you're selling, if you're willing to learn constantly, and if you can handle a bit of chaos (and a lot of browser tabs), it's also incredibly rewarding.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have about twelve tabs open and I'm pretty sure I'm typing this in the wrong one...