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

Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.

At a young age I learned the importance of giving back, whether it be giving my time or in the form of a donation. My parents were very involved in our community and I saw the importance of helping those in need and the impact one can have on another’s life. Last spring I sold May Baskets to raise funds for a memorial scholarship fund set up in my sister’s name at the high school she and I both attended. My sister, Emily, was killed May 1st (May Day), 1999 by a drunk driver the night of her senior prom. Soon after her death a memorial scholarship fund was established in her name to give young women with financial need, the opportunity to continue their high school education. In selling the flower baskets, my goals were to raise awareness about drinking & driving as well as the financial need that is present. It gave me great joy to see the love and generosity of my clients who spread love in our community with the May Baskets sprinkled around the valley. Each May basket included at least one gerber daisy, Emily’s favorite flower.

Angela, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Festively Styled by Angela Isacksen is a gift concierge service, providing clients with special, curated gifts for their gifting needs, big or small. I curate and style each gift, whether it be a milestone birthday, to give condolences, celebrate a new job, pregnancy, or retirement, and the list goes on. Since I was young, I was told I had an eye for style and for about ten years I styled families for annual photo sessions as well as children’s parties. During that time I had a “Wrapping Party” at my home where the idea for a gift-giving business was born from conversations with friends who complimented my gifting style & wrapping skills. So shifted from photos & parties to gift giving. Festively Styled by Angela Isacksen launched in January of 2021 and since then I’ve curated hundreds of gifts for all occasions. I have met such talented vendors throughout the valley, who I love to support by including their products in my gift packages. I have found that my services have helped those who may not have the creativity, time, or connections to pull together a gift package on their own.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The mission driving my creative journey is to spread love and joy to others through creative, custom gift giving, whether it be for one of life’s celebrations or life’s struggles.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Over ten years ago, I created Savvy Styled Sessions and Events, a styling business that catered to families who hired me to style their families for professional photo sessions. I also styled children’s birthday parties… including the decor, favors & food. After years of styling repeat clients, many began to take styling their families into their own hands having learned from me over the years. We all know Covid put a wrench in parties, which then gave me some time to circle back to my gift-giving business idea that was sparked after having a “wrapping party” pre-covid. Exit Savvy Styled Sessions & Events, enter Festively Styled by Angela Isacksen. Same savvy stying, but in a different form!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @festivelystyled