We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hanna Vanderloo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hanna , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Starting Prezzie was the biggest professional risk I’ve ever taken.

On paper, it didn’t make much sense. I went to nursing school. I built a stable, well-paying career in a highly specialized field. I had no formal business training. I had never started a company. I didn’t know how to build a website, read a P&L, run paid ads, or make an Instagram reel. I didn’t even know what half those acronyms meant.

But I did know how to care deeply about people. I’ve always believed that small gestures matter, and I’ve always paid attention to the details that make someone feel seen.

Prezzie started as a creative itch — something small that made me feel alive in a season where I craved more expression. What I didn’t anticipate was how quickly that small spark would grow into something that felt like a calling.

Leaving that career was scary. I was walking away from security and from an identity I had worked hard to build. There were plenty of moments when I questioned myself. I was stepping into something uncertain with no roadmap and no guarantee it would work.

The early days were humbling. I taught myself website design. I learned how to write copy. I figured out shipping logistics, wholesale pricing, brand positioning, and yes — how to film and edit awkward first Instagram reels. I’m still learning how to do all of this, and I’ve had to become comfortable being uncomfortable almost daily.

But here’s what I’ve learned about risk: sometimes the greater risk is staying where you are simply because it’s safe.

Prezzie has grown into something far beyond what I imagined. We now serve clients who trust us with their most meaningful milestones — weddings, team appreciation, life’s tender moments. We partner with small makers. We create experiences, not just gifts.

Looking back, the risk wasn’t just starting a business. It was choosing to trust myself. And while I gave up predictability, I gained work that feels aligned, joyful, and deeply fulfilling.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m the founder of Prezzie Gift Co., a design-forward gift concierge studio based in Minnesota. We curate, source, package, and ship thoughtful gifts for weddings, corporate teams, events, and meaningful life moments.

I didn’t start in this industry. I went to nursing school and built a career in a highly specialized medical field. But I’ve always been the person who obsesses over the details of a gift. The wrapping, the note, the combination of items that makes someone say, “Wow, you really thought about me.” At some point, I realized that what felt natural and joyful to me was actually a skill — and one that a lot of busy people don’t have the time or headspace to execute well.

Prezzie was born out of that realization.

Today, we work with couples planning weddings, companies investing in their teams or clients, and individuals who want to show up thoughtfully during life’s big and small milestones. Some clients need 5 gifts. Some need 150. Some have a clear vision. Others just say, “Help — I want this to feel special.”

The problem we solve is simple but real: gifting is time-consuming, overwhelming, and often an afterthought. Most people either default to something generic or put it off until it becomes stressful. We step in to make it seamless. We think about the recipient, the story behind the moment, the aesthetic, the logistics, the shipping, the branding, and all the tiny details that most people don’t have the capacity to manage.

What sets us apart is that we don’t start with products. We start with people. We care just as much about how a gift feels as what’s inside the box. We also intentionally incorporate small-batch and local makers whenever possible, which gives our gifts character and depth you can’t replicate with mass-produced bundles.

I’m also proud that Prezzie isn’t a “budget bin” gifting service. We design elevated, intentional gifts that reflect the business, the couple, or the person sending them. Thoughtful doesn’t have to mean extravagant, but it does mean considered.

What I’m most proud of is the trust our clients place in us. When someone hands over a wedding welcome bag for 100 guests or their company’s year-end client gifts, they’re trusting us with their reputation. That’s not something I take lightly.

At the end of the day, Prezzie exists to make meaningful gestures easier to execute well. Because small, thoughtful things really do build strong relationships — and I believe that matters in business and in life.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think our reputation has been built slowly and intentionally through how we treat people.

From the beginning, I’ve been very hands-on. Even as we’ve grown, I’m still deeply involved in the creative direction, the sourcing, the packaging decisions, and the communication with clients. When someone reaches out, they’re not dropped into an automated funnel. They’re having a real conversation. Emails are written specifically for them. Proposals are customized. I want clients to feel understood, not processed.

Customer service has been huge for us. Gifting often ties to important, emotional, or high-stakes moments — weddings, sympathy gestures, milestone celebrations, client appreciation. When someone trusts you with that, responsiveness and care matter. We communicate clearly. We solve problems quickly. If something needs to be adjusted, we adjust it. Flexibility has been one of our strengths.

Another big piece is quality. I’m very particular about the products we include. We focus on elevated, design-forward pieces that feel intentional and lasting. Whenever possible, we incorporate small-batch makers and meaningful keepsakes instead of filler items. And if a client wants something branded or personalized, we’re willing to go the extra mile to make it feel cohesive and thoughtful, not promotional.

I also think people can feel when something is done with heart. We’re not assembling generic boxes on autopilot. We’re thinking about the recipient. We’re thinking about the story behind the gift. That mindset shows up in the final product.
Over time, those small decisions compound. When clients feel cared for and the gift makes an impact, they come back and they refer us.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

This is actually an area where I’m still growing.

When you run a small business and you’re deeply involved in the day-to-day operations, it’s easy to focus on execution and forget about long-term nurturing. I’ve had to intentionally step back and ask, “How do I stay connected beyond the transaction?”

One thing I do prioritize is thoughtful follow-up. After gifts are delivered, I reach out personally to ask how they were received. I want to know how the recipient responded, what stood out, and whether the experience felt seamless on the client’s end.

I also make it a point to say thank you. Every client chooses to trust Prezzie during an important moment in their life or business, and I don’t take that lightly. I want them to feel appreciated, not just processed.

Where I’m still evolving is in the broader brand loyalty space. I know I could be more consistent on social media and in email and more proactive about staying visible between projects. That’s something I’m actively working on — building systems that allow me to show up more consistently while still protecting the quality of the client experience.

At the end of the day, my approach to loyalty is rooted in relationships. When someone feels cared for, listened to, and supported, they tend to come back. Many of our repeat clients started with one project and returned because the experience felt personal and easy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://prezziegiftco.com
• Instagram: @prezziegiftco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566975437723
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prezziegiftco/