Celebrating the Women Behind the Brands
March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration of women's achievements and contributions across industries. At Giftbox Boutique, we take immense pride in hand picking gifts that tell meaningful stories, and today, we want to spotlight the remarkable women behind some of our most cherished brands.
These seven founders have transformed personal passions into successful businesses, each with a unique mission to create products that offer joy, comfort, and luxury. Through dedication, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to their craft, they have shaped industries and inspired countless others. Let’s explore their journeys and the incredible brands they have built.
Linden Leaves - The Story of Brigit Blair
In 1995, Brigit Blair set out on a mission to help her children, who suffered from severe eczema and allergies. Finding that the market lacked truly natural and effective skincare solutions, she took matters into her own hands and founded Linden Leaves. With a deep appreciation for nature’s healing properties, Brigit started handcrafting skincare infused with botanicals, essential oils, and natural extracts.
What began in her Christchurch kitchen has blossomed into an internationally recognized brand that champions gentle, luxurious self-care. Linden Leaves continues to be a leader in New Zealand’s natural skincare scene, staying true to its roots while evolving to meet modern beauty needs.
Bennetts of Mangawhai - The Chocolate Legacy of Mary Bennett
When Mary and Clayton Bennett moved from Dublin to Mangawhai, they sought a slower, more wholesome lifestyle for their family. Inspired by Ireland’s thriving chocolate industry, they trained as chocolatiers in Europe and established Bennetts of Mangawhai in 1998.
What began as a small cottage operation beside their home has flourished into an iconic French-inspired chocolatier brand. Every chocolate is crafted with local ingredients, from feijoa to kiwifruit, reflecting the unique flavours of New Zealand. The business is now transitioning into the hands of their children, ensuring that the family legacy of handcrafted, high-quality chocolates continues for generations.
Bennetts isn’t just about chocolate—it’s about honouring New Zealand’s environment and wildlife, with dedicated support for conservation efforts like the Fairy Tern Trust and Marunui Conservation’s kiwi init.
Ashley & Co - Jackie Ashley's Scented World of Memories
Growing up in Hong Kong, Jackie Ashley was surrounded by an array of scents—from the fragrant teas of bustling street markets to the rich incense of temples. Inspired by these childhood memories and her love of travel, Jackie launched Ashley & Co, a brand dedicated to creating elevated home and body fragrances.
Ashley & Co started as a small project in Jackie’s Auckland garage, where she meticulously crafted scent combinations that evoked nostalgia and comfort. Today, her brand boasts an impressive range of eight signature fragrances, spanning from luxurious hand washes to home sprays and candles. Jackie’s creations now grace some of the most prestigious hotels, cafes, and retailers in New Zealand and beyond.
Bennetto Natural Foods - Lucy Bennetto’s Ethical Chocolate Revolution
Former high school teacher Lucy Bennetto turned her love for chocolate into a full-fledged ethical enterprise. In 2010, she started crafting small-batch chocolate bars in her Christchurch kitchen, using a spice grinder and organic cocoa beans.
Maison Therese - A Family Legacy of Tradition
In 1965, Dutch immigrant Therese Mooren longed for the pickled onions and gherkins of her homeland. Unable to find anything similar in New Zealand, she took it upon herself to recreate the flavours of her childhood.
Her homemade pickles quickly gained popularity among friends and family, prompting her to establish Maison Therese, a brand dedicated to preserving traditional flavours with home-style recipes. Over the years, her business expanded, moving from a small kitchen operation to a full-scale family-run enterprise. Today, Maison Therese remains a household name in gourmet condiments, run by the third generation of her family, continuing Therese’s legacy of quality and authenticity.
Babu - Ali Hui’s Commitment to Quality and Sustainability
Meet Ali Hui, the visionary behind Babu, a brand dedicated to crafting premium, organic baby essentials. Ali started Babu in 2002 when she struggled to find the perfect soft organic cotton bedding for her newborn son, Jack. With a background in wound-care nursing, she knew the importance of using only the gentlest fabrics on a baby’s delicate skin.
Giftbox Boutique - Meet Our Very Own Gifting Guru, Katie Gray!
We couldn’t celebrate female-founded businesses without giving a shoutout to our very own founder, Katie Gray! Giftbox Boutique started as a passion project with a simple mission: to take the stress out of gift-giving.
With a background in marketing for luxury brands, Katie saw a gap in the market for modern, stylish, and beautifully curated gifts—so she rolled up her sleeves, roped in her husband Andy, and got to work. What began in her mum’s garage with a $20,000 investment has grown into one of New Zealand’s leading gifting businesses, shipping over 1,000 gifts per day. (Yep, that’s a lot of ribbon tying!)
Katie believes a gift should be more than just a gesture—it should create a moment of joy, from its sleek packaging to the premium products inside. Her commitment to quality, creativity, and customer delight has made Giftbox Boutique the go-to for modern, memorable gifting.
Celebrating Women, Celebrating Thoughtful Gifting
Each of these brands tells a powerful story of passion, resilience, and innovation. Whether through skincare, fragrance, or wellness, these remarkable women have enriched our lives with products that carry deep meaning. Their journeys remind us that behind every great brand is a founder with a vision—one who dared to create something extraordinary.
This International Women’s Day, we invite you to celebrate and support female entrepreneurs by choosing gifts that not only bring joy but also uplift and empower women in business. Let’s continue to champion their success, share their stories, and embrace the thoughtful craftsmanship behind every product.
