Becoming NEXTonSCENE™: Send Love Straight to Their Door With a Curated Gift Box

Episode Overview

In the May 30, 2024 episode of "Becoming NEXTonSCENE™," hosted by Jackie Zuck from NEXTonSCENE Media, LLC, listeners are introduced to Christine Cohen, the founder and owner of Buttercup Boxes of Love. This episode delves into the power of gifting within businesses, exploring how curated gift boxes can enhance client relationships, provide meaningful support during times of grief, and serve as a unique marketing tool. Jackie and Christine discuss the inception of Buttercup Boxes, the customization process, collaboration with local and women-owned businesses, and the thoughtful curation that makes each box a memorable experience.

Introduction: The Power of Gifting

Jackie Zuck opens the episode by sharing a weekly marketing tip centered around the power of gifting. She emphasizes how thoughtful gifts can foster deeper connections with clients and loved ones, especially during challenging times such as the upcoming summer holidays. Jackie states:

“People really, really appreciate the people that go above and beyond the standard procedures of how they do things.”
— Jackie Zuck [00:00]

She highlights that even modest gifts can significantly impact relationships, contributing to long-term business growth by creating memorable experiences beyond traditional networking.

Meet Christine Cohen: Founder of Buttercup Boxes of Love

Jackie introduces her guest, Christine Cohen, praising her for being a go-to resource for client gifts. Christine shares her journey, revealing that Buttercup Boxes was born out of personal necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic. With 17 years in property management in downtown Boston, Christine found herself isolated with empty buildings and a desire to reach out to those who had supported her during a family loss. This led her to create personalized gift boxes to send love and appreciation to friends and clients.

“I started sending out these little boxes, and people said, this needs to be a business.”
— Christine Cohen [03:04]

Christine explains that witnessing the positive reception of her initial boxes inspired her to transform this act of kindness into a thriving business focused on self-care, self-love, and meaningful connections.

The Origin of Buttercup Boxes

The name "Buttercup" holds sentimental value for Christine, as it was her childhood nickname given by her mother, a significant inspiration in her life. Her mother's tradition of sending handwritten cards influenced Christine's approach to personalized gifting, emphasizing the importance of tangible, heartfelt gestures.

“My mom called me Buttercup. She was actually a huge inspiration for me.”
— Christine Cohen [05:20]

Christine shares that her mother’s dedication to snail mail and handwritten notes instilled in her the value of personal touch, which is a cornerstone of Buttercup Boxes.

Family Involvement and Support

Christine discusses the involvement of her children in her business. While her 14-year-old son finds the continuous flow of Buttercup Boxes amusing, her 12-year-old daughter shares a creative passion for the business and is eager to contribute by developing a kids' box in the future.

“My daughter... she's super, super cute. So she loves it and she wants me to create a kids box.”
— Christine Cohen [06:01]

This family support adds a heartfelt dimension to the business, illustrating the blend of personal commitment and professional dedication.

Clientele and Customization: Tailoring to Diverse Needs

Christine elaborates on the diverse range of businesses Buttercup Boxes serves, including dentists, travel agents, realtors, engineering firms, estate planners, law firms, life and health coaches, bookkeepers, and accountants. She emphasizes the flexibility and customization available to each client to ensure the gift boxes align with their specific needs and budgets.

“We really talk through that before I get into the design phase... it really is catered to them and their business and what they're trying to achieve.”
— Christine Cohen [08:04]

Jackie commends Christine for her ability to add personal touches to each box, ensuring that every gift is a unique reflection of the client's brand and values. Christine describes a collaborative process where she discusses budget, product preferences, and branding elements to create a bespoke gifting experience.

Supporting Women-Owned and Local Businesses

A significant aspect of Buttercup Boxes is Christine's commitment to collaborating with local and women-owned businesses. She meticulously vets each vendor, ensuring product quality and alignment with the company's values. This not only supports small entrepreneurs but also enhances the authenticity and uniqueness of each curated box.

“I try to stick with local and women-owned businesses as much as possible.”
— Christine Cohen [17:34]

Christine shares anecdotes of local makers reaching out and contributing exclusive items, such as custom totes, which adds an extra layer of personalization and exclusivity to the gift boxes.

Empowering Through Grief and Loss

Christine touches on a profound niche within her business: providing support through curated boxes for those experiencing grief and loss. Drawing from her own experiences during COVID-19, she understands the importance of timely and thoughtful gestures in offering comfort.

“People were really struggling with COVID... people were asking me for grief boxes.”
— Christine Cohen [09:22]

She explains how these boxes are designed to offer solace and a sense of care, emphasizing the emotional impact of receiving a curated gift during difficult times.

“If someone lost a pet on Monday, you don't want them to get it two weeks later, you want them to get it that week.”
— Christine Cohen [19:42]

Jackie echoes the sentiment, highlighting the significance of timely support in showing empathy and solidarity.

Seasonal and Thematic Gift Boxes

Christine discusses the seasonal aspects of her business, tailoring gift boxes to align with various themes throughout the year. For instance, the April season features a popcorn night box timed before school vacations, offering a fun, family-friendly experience with diverse popcorn flavors and salts. Such thematic boxes cater to different client bases, like Realtors sending gifts to VIP clients, ensuring each box not only provides quality products but also an enjoyable experience.

“The April seasonal boxes... have a popcorn night box experience.”
— Christine Cohen [20:34]

Looking ahead, Christine anticipates adding more beach-themed items for summer and transitioning to cozy season items as the weather warms up, showcasing her ability to adapt to changing trends and client needs.

Efficient Operations and Fast Turnaround

One of the standout features of Buttercup Boxes is its efficient shipping process. Christine ensures that orders are processed within a two to three-day window and shipped promptly, especially for time-sensitive occasions like pet loss. This commitment to speed ensures that clients and recipients receive their boxes when they are needed most.

“It's very quick... if someone lost a pet on Monday, you don't want them to get it two weeks later.”
— Christine Cohen [19:42]

Jackie commends Christine for maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency despite managing a growing number of clients, underscoring the operational excellence behind Buttercup Boxes.

Future Aspirations and Personal Passions

Outside of her business, Christine shares her passion for horses and dreams of one day owning a farm filled with rescue animals. Activities like goat walks and goat yoga provide her with relaxation and inspiration, elements that subtly influence the serene and nurturing ethos of Buttercup Boxes.

“In my next life, I'm going to have a farm and I'm going to have horses and goats and all the rescue animals.”
— Christine Cohen [12:40]

This personal touch adds depth to her professional endeavors, highlighting the harmony between her passions and her business mission.

Connecting with Buttercup Boxes of Love

Christine invites listeners to connect with Buttercup Boxes through their website and Instagram, encouraging collaborations with local makers and businesses interested in creating custom client boxes. She emphasizes the national reach of her services, ensuring that anyone, regardless of location, can experience the thoughtful curation of Buttercup Boxes.

“The best way to follow me is Instagram. I'm on there all the time... I ship nationally.”
— Christine Cohen [22:41]

Jackie wraps up the episode by expressing her admiration for Christine and encouraging listeners to explore Buttercup Boxes of Love for their gifting needs.

Conclusion

This episode of "Becoming NEXTonSCENE™" offers valuable insights into the transformative power of thoughtful gifting within a business context. Christine Cohen's journey from a personal gesture of appreciation to a national business highlights the profound impact of genuine connections and personalized experiences. By supporting local and women-owned businesses, catering to diverse client needs, and providing solace through grief-focused boxes, Buttercup Boxes of Love exemplifies how businesses can foster meaningful relationships and contribute positively to their communities.

Listeners are left inspired to incorporate thoughtful gifting into their own business strategies, recognizing its potential to enhance client relationships, support emotional well-being, and differentiate their brand in a competitive marketplace.

Notable Quotes:

• Jackie Zuck [00:00]: “People really, really appreciate the people that go above and beyond the standard procedures of how they do things.”

• Christine Cohen [03:04]: “I started sending out these little boxes, and people said, this needs to be a business.”

• Christine Cohen [05:20]: “My mom called me Buttercup. She was actually a huge inspiration for me.”

• Christine Cohen [08:04]: “We really talk through that before I get into the design phase... it really is catered to them and their business and what they're trying to achieve.”

• Christine Cohen [17:34]: “I try to stick with local and women-owned businesses as much as possible.”

• Christine Cohen [09:22]: “People were really struggling with COVID... people were asking me for grief boxes.”

• Christine Cohen [19:42]: “It's very quick... if someone lost a pet on Monday, you don't want them to get it two weeks later.”

• Christine Cohen [12:40]: “In my next life, I'm going to have a farm and I'm going to have horses and goats and all the rescue animals.”

Connect with Buttercup Boxes of Love

• Website: Buttercup Boxes of Love
• Instagram: @buttercupboxsoflove

Stay tuned for more insightful episodes of "Becoming NEXTonSCENE™" as Jackie Zuck continues to explore the journeys of inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives.