We recently had the chance to connect with Vanessa West and have shared our conversation below.
Vanessa , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Funny enough, my husband and I were just talking about this. If someone hired me, they’d be getting a powerhouse—someone with big vision who can take an idea from start to finish in a truly turnkey way. I’m detail-obsessed (in the best way) and often spot things others might overlook—and that’s not just a nice line, it’s really how I operate. My husband jokes that I’d eventually want to take over, so any employer would have to know exactly what they’re signing up for!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I own a gift shop and professional gift wrapping business called Avenue Wrapping. What started five years ago as a way to meet my neighbors (and honestly, to pull myself out of postpartum boredom and blues) has grown into a brick-and-mortar dream that I opened three years ago.
The real star of the show is, of course, the gift wrapping. We create bespoke wraps for individuals, corporations, window displays, and even train other shops in the art of wrapping. Whether it’s capturing the theme of a party or wrapping a gift so it feels like it was made for your best friend, we love turning paper and ribbon into something personal and unforgettable.
In 2024, I had the honor of winning The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge, which was such a surreal moment and one of the biggest things I’ve ever worked toward. That win really lit a fire in me—I’m now channeling that momentum into growing our shop into a full-fledged gift wrapping supply house. We already carry tons of flat papers and rolls (because obviously, we’re a wrap shop), but we’re expanding into more ribbons and supplies so people can not only get their gifts wrapped with us but also stock up to wrap beautifully at home.
Looking back, I never would’ve imagined that something I started just to connect with people in my neighborhood would turn into this incredible journey. And now, with that national win under my belt, I feel like we’re only just getting started.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Ooo, I love this question. Honestly, I feel like I’m in the middle of figuring that out all over again. Maybe it’s all the risks I’ve already taken, the whimsy of my shop, or watching other women-owned businesses boldly step into their dreams—but I’m really asking myself: who was I before the world told me who to be and who do I want to be now?
I’m the product of a traumatic childhood trauma and that had a way of shaping a lot of my decisions in ways I couldn’t have known any better. When I did feel safe, I remember being silly, wildly creative, compassionate, and unafraid to take risks. That’s the version of me I like reconnecting with.
I think the first time I really felt the pressure of “who I should be” was choosing my college major. I picked psychology because it felt more “responsible” than interior design. After graduating, I was still pulled toward creative, design-focused work, but instead I doubled down on professionalism and went for a master’s in counseling.
And now? Well, here I am at 44, a professional gift wrapper. Go figure. It turns out life has a funny way of nudging you back toward your creative roots—even if it takes a few detours first.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
You’re diving right in with this one, huh? Since we just touched on trauma, this feels like the natural place to go a little deeper. My childhood was shaped by neglect, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Those experiences left their mark, and for a long time I didn’t have the language for what I was carrying. It wasn’t until the research and conversations around CPTSD (complex PTSD) became more common that things really clicked for me. Suddenly, all those years of interventions that didn’t quite fit started to make sense, and therapy began to feel like it had room for real healing.
For me, healing has never been a one-and-done moment—it’s more of an ongoing adventure. Some days it feels like climbing a mountain, other days like strolling through a garden. What I do know is that I didn’t want to repeat the cycles I grew up with, so I’ve worked really hard to make different choices (even though, yes, sometimes trauma sneaks into those choices without you realizing it).
Therapy, friendship, movement, aging, learning, living—they’ve all been part of teaching me self-regulation and self-compassion. Resiliency has been a companion of mine for as long as I can remember, and I imagine it always will be.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say yes. The public version of me is very much the real me. On social media, I share the highs, lows, and all the in-between moments of running a business because I think honesty is what creates real connection. Since I am the face of my brand, it feels important to show up authentically—the same way we approach our gift wrapping. That said, I’m not above swiping on a little lip gloss before recording a reel.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This one’s easy; I hope people tell the story of my strength and how I lived my truth. I don’t just want the highlight reel; I want the nitty-gritty left in. The snotty sobs and the joyful, unhinged dancing. The dark moments right alongside the light.
I hope people remember that I created space for them to feel safe to be themselves—loved, seen, and important—and that I offered both depth and humor as a friend. For my son, I hope the story is clear: that I worked hard to break cycles so he could grow up surrounded by love.
At the end of the day, it all comes back to connection, authenticity, and truth—that’s the legacy I’d want woven into my story.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.avenuewrapping.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avenuewrapping/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avenue-wrapping/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avenuewrapping/
Image Credits
Katie Barber
Scott Kinkade
