Carrington based local social enterprise, the Grateful Boutique & Bouquet, has expanded its range to include everyone, making it easier to give back to the local community.

Since the boutique opened, it has been their mission to provide inclusive options, offer plus size clothing, and a pet range, and as of August, those arms of the business have come to fruition.

Lead Founder of the Grateful Boutique & Bouquet, Jessica Shuwalow, said incorporating a pay-it-forward aspect to business through local collaborations is very rewarding and more important than ever.

“I have always heard businesses and leaders talk about how they’d love to incorporate a giving element into their business, but weren’t sure where to start or how to make it financially viable from a business perspective,” she said.

“So, I wanted to find a solution that not only allowed me to do something that filled my cup up, but that other businesses and individuals could easily get involved with through their ordinary operations.

“More than ever, our work, careers, or businesses play such a huge role in our overall wellbeing. So anything we can do to support businesses and individuals to do something that makes them feel good and connect to their deeper purpose by giving back and connecting with the local community is a huge collective win for everyone!”

In a time during COVID where we’re all longing for connection and a way to support local, The Grateful Boutique & Bouquet fulfils those human and business desires and needs.

The store now offers clothes for ladies of all beautiful sizes, men and kids, they create their own vibrant locally grown flower posies, mineral make-up, heartfelt local gift packs for: her, him, kids, celebrations and business/corporate/entrepreneurial, and now there’s even something for your furry friends!

But, what is most unique and one of the best things about this local business is that on everything they sell another item is paid forward or donated on that customers behalf.

For each of their flower posies available in store or online another posy is created at the end of the week and donated to the John Hunter Hospital or Ronald McDonald House.

Manager of Volunteer Services and Relative Accommodation at John Hunter Hospital, Sally Cogan, said that the weekly posy deliveries brighten up the place and provide much-needed joy in the hospital environment.

“Every week a little bunch of joy arrives to the JHH Volunteer Workroom, delivered by one of the beautiful Grateful girls, who bring as much joy as the pretty flowers do,” she said.

“No matter how you are feeling, or what is happening around you. the flowers always lift your mood and remind you that we are surrounded by kindness and beauty.”

Individuals or businesses can even subscribe to their weekly bouquet program and sponsor an area of the hospital to receive much needed fresh flowers each week and easily incorporate this into their social or corporate responsibilities.

In addition, Ronald McDonald House Newcastle Manager, Kristen Grainger, said this small act of kindness leaves a huge impact on those who work and stay at the House.

“When the beautiful flowers from The Grateful and our wonderful sponsors come through the doors of Ronald McDonald House Newcastle every week, it feels like an injection of love and happiness,” she said.

“They brighten up the days of so many of our lovely families who are doing it really tough, our amazing volunteers and the team as well. We are so grateful to our community for sending the love.”

On all other purchases part of the profit on each sale is donated to local charity, Got Your Back Sista, to sponsor a lady who has escaped domestic violence to take critical self-defence classes.

To-date, thanks to the support of local individuals and businesses, The Grateful Boutique & Bouquet have donated close to 8,000 flower posies to much needed areas of the community and over $8,000 to local charity Got Your Back Sista.

Options for local businesses and individuals to get involved and start implementing a social responsibility or community support program can join The Weekly Bouquet program or purchase through The Grateful Boutique and Bouquet.

IMAGE | The Grateful Boutique girl gang outside their Carrington based store.