Danielle Vataj was initially driven by the need to pay for her dog’s medical expenses when she started her entrepreneurial journey. With encouragement from her brother, she founded Belles Books and Gifts, an online store selling a variety of items like clothes, toys, books, jewelry, collectibles, and candles. What began as a personal project quickly grew into a successful business that not only meets her needs but also supports charitable causes that are dear to her heart.
Since its inception in October 2015, Belles Books and Gifts has gained recognition for its unique offerings and commitment to community support. Featured on platforms like NYC Journal and Forbes People, Danielle’s business stands out not only for its diverse product range but also for its dedication to social responsibility. Danielle’s commitment extends beyond commerce; her business supports numerous charities, food banks, cancer research, animal rescues, and homeless teens, and helps children obtain school lunches.
We are excited to delve deeper into Danielle Vataj’s inspiring story. In our conversation, we will explore her motivations, the challenges she has overcome, and the lessons she has learned along the way. Here are some of the questions we’ll be asking to gain deeper insights into her journey:
- Balancing growth with a commitment to social good can be challenging. What obstacles have you encountered in trying to grow Belles Books and Gifts while staying true to your philanthropic mission? How have you managed to address these challenges?
The biggest challenge at first was just trying to get it out there so people would know about it. There was some resistance for a bit, trying to find places or pages to advertise it. At some point, eBay came up with a promotional tool on the site which helped tremendously. Once people saw that it was trustworthy it started to get easier thankfully.
- Your personal experiences and journey play a big role in shaping your business. How have your own life experiences influenced the mission and vision of Belles Books and Gifts? What personal values do you see reflected in your business?
I have always wanted Belles’s books and gifts to be a very honest space for others. It tends to reflect my own interests and I’ve always wanted a place of my own where I could showcase items in pop culture I loved and grew up with. The things I sell have always brought me happiness and I was hoping they’d bring joy to others. I do try to have it reflect that as much as possible. Hopefully, it will let people know they can shop with ease and confidence.
- Entrepreneurship is a learning experience. What are some of the most important lessons you have learned along your journey that you think would be valuable for aspiring entrepreneurs to hear?
I’ve learned so much in this journey and I continue to learn more every day. The most important lesson is to really listen to what you feel is right. Also, always listen to your buyers and customers. It’s important to reach out and get their thoughts and opinions. I always leave it open for them to tell me what they’d enjoy seeing and buying. It’s really important for me to know them as well. I’d encourage others to do that as well since it builds trust.
- Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of Belles Books and Gifts? Are there any new directions or initiatives you plan to pursue in terms of your business model and charitable efforts? What changes or growth do you anticipate in the coming years?
My plan for its future is hopefully to help grow and better it daily. I want to make it as easy as possible for others when they visit. If they are willing to spend their hard-earned money then I want them to have the best experience possible.
So I plan to continuously hear others’ thoughts. I also am always looking for new charities and groups to help out. I’d want to try and help as many people and charities as I possibly can.
- Balancing business operations with philanthropic efforts requires sustained motivation. What keeps you inspired to continue your charitable work? Are there any specific experiences or sources of inspiration that drive you to keep going?
I am always finding new places and charities to benefit so as time goes on I’d love to expand as much as I can. There are so many things in this world that could benefit from our help and we plan to give back as much as humanly possible. I’ve always promised that if Belles books and gifts grew and thrived, I’d give back by helping others. I love helping others in any way I can so that’ll always be an ongoing goal of mine.
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