Engraving a legacy: Personalised Favours’ family business story

When Melissa Wilkinson couldn’t find affordable, personalised wedding favours for her big day, she took matters into her own hands. With her mother by her side, what started as a small eBay venture grew into a thriving family business: Personalised Favours. Now, with over a decade in operation, a finalist spot in Australia’s Favourite Family Business 2024 competition, and a multi-million dollar turnover, Melissa’s shares the story behind the brand’s success.

A wedding, a vision, and a business is born

“Personalised Favours was inspired by a gap I saw while planning my wedding,” Melissa explains. “I was struggling to find affordable, personalised wedding favours in Australia.” Recognising the demand for unique, customisable gifts, she launched an eBay store. Her mother stepped in to handle customer service, while Melissa managed the designs and outsourced the production locally. Within two years, the business took off.

As the orders poured in, Melissa realised the business needed more hands on deck. Enter her brother-in-law Matthew, who brought his financial expertise from the banking industry to the table. “Matthew joined as my business partner, and with my background in industrial design and his financial experience, we transformed the business from a backyard operation into a multi-million dollar company,” Melissa shares.

Today, Personalised Favours operates from its own production facility on the Central Coast of New South Wales. The team has grown to include 12 laser engravers, four embroidery machines, and a UV printer, handling every step of the process in-house. They ship over 100,000 personalised gifts each year, with customers across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

A gift for every occasion

So what does Personalised Favours offer to those unfamiliar with the brand?

“We’re an online store that provides personalised gifts for every special milestone and occasion,” Melissa explains. “Whether it’s a birthday, a thank-you gift, or a memorable Christmas present, we’ve got over 2,000 products to choose from. And the best part? All personalisation is done in-house, which means we can offer quick turnaround times and fast delivery.”

This in-house production is a cornerstone of their business model. It not only allows for high standards but also enables the team to create unique, quality products quickly, something Melissa believes sets them apart in the industry. “We bring passion and care into everything we do – making each gift special and meaningful,” she says.

Family bonds a business glue

Working with family is not without its challenges, but for Melissa, the positives far outweigh the difficulties. “There’s a strong sense of connection and shared purpose in a family business,” she reflects. “We understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses on a deeper level, which fosters unspoken trust and reliability. There’s a mutual respect, and it’s easier to make quick decisions that help the business grow.”

In addition to her brother-in-law, Melissa’s husband and sister are also part of the business, which brings a unique closeness to their day-to-day operations. “Every achievement feels even more meaningful because we’re building our family legacy together,” she adds.

Balancing family and work

However, working closely with family members can blur the line between work and personal life. “One of the biggest challenges is managing personal relationships alongside professional ones,” Melissa admits. “At family gatherings, we often end up discussing work, which makes it hard to set boundaries.”

There’s also the logistical challenge of taking time off. With all the management team members being family, planning a holiday together becomes a rare luxury. But despite these hurdles, the team remains committed, supporting each other through every step.

Australia’s Favourite Family Business finalist

This year, Personalised Favours is a finalist in Australia’s Favourite Family Business 2024 competition, an honour that means a lot to the family. “Being a finalist is a game-changer for us,” says Melissa. “It feels like an acknowledgement of our start-up story and shows that our achievements can come from a family-run operation. This recognition honours the hard work, dedication, and commitment of all family members involved.”

Melissa says not only is the nomination a boost to their morale, but it’s also an opportunity for growth. She hopes the exposure will attract new customers and open up valuable networking opportunities.

Winning the competition would be the ultimate validation for Melissa and her family. “It would showcase our commitment to personalisation, quality products, and customer service,” she explains. “We’d love to inspire other family businesses and demonstrate the potential for success in this model.”

Personalised Favours has carved a niche by focusing on what they do best – creating gifts that bring joy and mark life’s milestones. And as they wait to see if they’ll be crowned Australia’s Favourite Family Business, the Wilkinson family’s legacy is already something to be proud of.

Find out more about Personalised Favours

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