Jasmine Joyce Maree, co-founder of luxury gift brand Gift Republiq, has always been very open about her hard start in life. It’s this hard start that inspired her to create a brand that helps others in partnership with her two co-founders, Mariette and Lana.
Before she was old enough to know him, her father was incarcerated for life. As a young girl with a single mother and little brother, she experienced homelessness and spent time in a women’s refuge to escape serious domestic violence and abuse.
However, it wasn’t until she met a beautiful young girl with a small e-commerce business selling jewellery that she had the idea to start a similar business. When Jasmine met Dazelle, who was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer, she would often stop by the hospital in her spare moments to bring Dazelle gifts and spend time with her. Sadly, earlier this year, Dazelle passed away from her condition.
“This was a tough period for me. Thankfully, I was lucky to have support from some wonderful people in my life,” Jasmine said. “I’d worked a number of normal jobs and tried some things that didn’t work. But, I am a big believer in signs from the universe. That’s why when the opportunity came up to start my own brand, it seemed like the right thing to do.”
When asked what makes her brand special, Jasmine said, “When I was a little girl, I always wanted to help others. I saw my mum go through a lot. I always loved animals and children. So I decided that I wanted my brand to be tied to social impact causes that I’m passionate about.”
As such, Gift Republiq has positioned itself as the first brand that has direct partnerships with some leading charity groups that support everything from children’s cancer research, to animal rescue and also survivor support services – a topic she strongly resonates with.
“Just like my mum, I am also a survivor of domestic violence and abuse,” Jasmine recounts. “But it feels nice to know that even if it’s a small impact, I’ve made something that can help others to support them in accessing the resources they need to escape and live a life that is happy and safe.”
Not only does Gift Republiq partner itself with these causes, but it also boasts an impressive range of some of the most beautiful gift boxes in the market.
“This sounds very basic, but I just did a Google search, and everything I saw was so boring. None of it was pretty or nice,” Jasmine remembers. “I wanted to try and build something that was simple yet elegant. When purchasing a gift, it’s a personal experience, and I want everyone who buys a gift from us to have their loved one feel warm and special.”
Gift Republiq has a variety of elegant, visually stunning gift boxes both for men and women, which feature delightful products such as gourmet chocolates, premium whiskey and champagne, and beauty products for women. The company has spread the word about its brand through a winning social media presence rather than any traditional marketing campaigns. In terms of success since its launch, Gift Republiq has already turned over six figures and is planning to grow and expand even further next year.
“For me, the best thing about this business is we create an exquisite gifting experience. My goal is to not only evoke positive emotion when purchasing but to aid causes I’m passionate about,” Jasmine declared. “So the better it does, the more people it helps, which is something that means a lot to me.”
You can purchase one of Gift Republiq’s unforgettable gift boxes at their website or contact them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giftrepubliq