35 Lessons for 35 Years: From a woman small business owner.

Reaching 35 years of Green Giftz is a milestone worth celebrating, not just for the candles on the cake, but for countless lessons gathered along the way. For Karen Scarpino, as a woman and small business owner, these years have been filled with triumphs, challenges, and moments of growth she never could have predicted when she first set out on this entrepreneurial journey. From learning how to trust her instincts to understanding the real meaning of balance, every step has shaped both Green Giftz and her sense of self. In honor of 35 years, Karen shared 35 lessons she has learned in hopes to inspire, encourage, or simply remind you that growth is always worth celebrating.

1. Let your clients be your compass

While this is one of our core values, the lesson truly extends into every aspect of who Green Giftz is. You must be open to asking questions, listening fully, and deeply caring about your clients. By letting them guide you, you'll be exposed to new solutions and ways of thinking that align with their vision while fulfilling yours.

2. The learning never stops

In life, we are all our own individual people who need to adapt and evolve because change is simply bound to happen. That same evolutionary idea applies to business. There's always a new or better way to do something, and it's important to have a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Once you get stuck in a certain way of running a business, your growth potential is limited.

3. Wins are better when you win together

4. Write every email saying "we"

5. Your network is your net worth

Relationships truly matter. Every single connection you make throughout your life adds value. You could find yourself at a networking event, sitting down next to someone, having an impactful conversation that years down the line could open up an opportunity, and together you can bring that opportunity to life.

6. Honesty is the best policy

Starting your own business, especially one that's client-facing, you're bound to run into some roadblocks. In the beginning, it's easy to want to shield the client from any challenges you may be facing with their collaboration; however, honesty truly is the best policy. Explain to them and clarify that you have their best interest in mind. If you can win together, you can also face those challenges together. That makes a strong partnership.

8. Treat others how you want to be treated

9. Dogs make everything better

10. Enjoy the ride

11. Reputation over revenue

12. Do what is right for people, planet, and profit

13. Your presence is your brand

14. Want to call me a dirty word? Call me a supplier or call me a vendor.

Yes, in our industry, we are here to supply you with promo items. However, our strategies, attention to detail, and intentional partnership set us apart from being just your supplier or vendor. Call us your partners! Our work is done through thoughtful collaboration, not just slapping your logo on items.

15. What you appreciate, appreciates

Say it slowly and truly think about it. If you water a plant, it's going to grow. If you leave it alone, it's going to wither away. If you want to grow a business, you have to appreciate the many little things, and you have to nurture those things. It extends through you, to your team, and to your partners.

16. Small touches can leave a big impact

17. Your team is your chosen family

18. Success looks different at every stage

19. Seek mentors and BE A MENTOR

20. Invest in a nice bag

Trust her on this one.

21. Strengthen your purpose

You are more than just your company and what you do. Make it a priority to give back to your community, invest time into building meaningful and deep connections, and make a genuine impact beyond your scope of work.

22. Hire for culture and not for experience

Truly believe in the potential of people and those who give it their all and support one another. There will be many times you'll find yourself in a problem situation. That is when you'll want those who truly trust in the work we're doing, who can be there to brainstorm solutions and work together, to get you through it.

23. Courage over comfort

You cannot grow when you're in your comfort zone. If it suddenly becomes too easy, you're in autopilot mode, and you are going through the motions. That's a sign you're not growing. As a leader, you must disrupt the comfort and live and thrive in that chaos.

24. If you want to be in the top 10% you have to be willing to do what 90% of your competitors won't do

25. Perception is reality

How you choose to represent your brand is how people will see you. This goes especially for those who are young and just getting started with their business. When Green Giftz was first created, people would ask, "Where do you work from?" and Karen would respond, "Out of our office in Grand Rapids." She didn't want people to know it was just her and her husband getting started out of their home's basement... but she was still telling the truth!

26. Envision your legacy

27. Make decisions that allow your brand to live on

28. Relationships over product

29. Celebrate wins big and small

30. Never underestimate the power of a good pen

31. Sustainability is not a trend, rather a purpose

32. You don't do business with businesses, you do it with people

33. Stay curious, stay current

Industries evolve fast, keep learning! Technology, social shifts, and new ways of working. Reinvention is the secret to longevity.

34. Coffee fixes a lot, but not everything

You can only run on caffeine for so long. Schedule time for you! Burnout is real, and it's okay to acknowledge and take a step back so you can come back and perform at your best.

35. Define Success on your own terms

Don't chase someone else's version of success. Your business should serve your life, not the other way around.

As Green Giftz looks ahead, these 35 lessons serve as both a reflection and a roadmap. They prove that growth doesn’t stop at milestones; it expands with every risk taken, every client relationship formed, and every purpose-driven decision. The best chapters are still being written!