If you’ve ever received a Mark & Graham box with that perfect red ribbon, you already know: this brand understands the joy of giving. And as Kate shares, it’s more than a pretty package. It’s intention. It’s invitation. It’s storytelling.

We talk about the growth of personalization, the creator trends shaping 2025, and why a travel gift is really a gentle nudge to plan your next adventure.

This episode is warm, inspiring, and perfectly timed for the season of giving.

✨ Holiday Note:If you’re shopping Mark & Graham this season, the deadline for standard monogrammed holiday delivery is December 17th.👉 Shop here: [mark & graham]

🎙️ Episode Highlights

• The story behind Mark & GrahamHow the brand was created with one simple idea: make your mark. Kate shares her path from Pottery Barn → Serena & Lily → leading one of the most joyful gifting brands today.

• Why personalization still winsIn a year of big-box sameness, personalization is the differentiator — and the reason customers return again and again.

• Trendspotting for 2026From tartans and chocolate suede to beautifully classic pieces that never age, Kate shares what she’s seeing (and loving) in the market.

• Travel gifts as invitationsOne of the best moments of the episode:When you give someone a travel bag, passport holder, or luggage tag, you’re not just giving them something — you’re inviting them to plan what’s next.

• Authentic creator partnershipsWhy long-term alignment beats one-off posts, and how brands like Mark & Graham choose the creators they love working with.

• Making gifting meaningfulHow Kate builds bundles, pairs pieces, and creates gifts that feel thoughtful without being complicated.

✈️ My Favorite Quote from Kate

“When you give someone a new travel bag or passport holder, it’s really an invitation to make plans for their next trip.”

It’s the perfect reminder that the best gifts open a door.

✨ About Our Elevate Sponsors

A special thank you to two of our ELEVATE: Creative Women’s Summit sponsors, who help make this show (and our community) possible:

• Dr. Inna Lazar of Pro Eye CareOne of Newsweek’s top optometrists and Fairfield County’s leading expert in eye health and dry eye solutions.

• Christine Finch Oleynick Westport & Wilton real estate advisor, luxury strategist, and trusted expert in Connecticut’s competitive coastal market.

We are so grateful for their partnership and support as we gear up for Elevate on January 13th.

💬 Let’s Chat

What’s your most meaningful personalized gift you’ve ever given or received?Comment below — I love hearing these stories.

Sara shares what inspires her during the holiday season, how she builds a brand rooted in nostalgia and joy, and the unexpected moments that influence her creative spark — from family traditions to coastal living to her ever-growing library of patterns and prints.

Explore Sara’s work and holiday collection:👉 Sara Fitz Studio – https://sarafitz.com👉 Holiday Collection – https://sarafitz.com/collections/holiday👉 Shop Her Prints, Gifts & Wallpaper – https://sarafitz.com/collections

If you’re a longtime fan of Sara’s artwork or just discovering her whimsical world, this episode is a warm invitation to slow down, savor the season, and celebrate creativity in all its forms.

And just a reminder — our ELEVATE: Creative Women’s Summit is right around the corner on January 13th in Darien, CT. Tickets are on sale now at necoastalcreative.com, and conversations like this one are exactly what make gatherings like ELEVATE so special.

So pour something warm to fill your creative cup, get cozy, and enjoy this inspiring holiday chat with Sara.

This week on Creative Confidential, I sat down with Founder Fives’ Kaity and Katharine, two incredible women who know exactly what it takes to move from founder chaos to retail clarity.

If you don’t know them already, Kaity and Katherine were among our very first speakers back when they were running the brand incubator and retailer For Now. Since selling that business, they’ve built Founder Fives and The Wholesale Growth Lab—a proven roadmap that’s helped hundreds of brands get into stores with confidence.

Together, we break down the five smartest ways to get your brand holiday-ready—from refining your assortment to strengthening your retail relationships—so you can make the most of the busiest (and most profitable) time of year.

To learn more about Founder Fives, you can discover more by visiting www.founderfives.com and following along on their INSTAGRAM here

SPONSOR SHOUTOUT

A special thank you to our episode sponsor, KVO Collections— timeless, beautifully crafted jewelry designed to be worn every day and cherished for a lifetime. Each KVO piece blends effortless style with enduring quality — the perfect gift this holiday season. Discover more at KVO COLLECTIONS

This episode is sponsored by Rinaldi Brothers — trusted experts in roofing, siding, and home exteriors. Learn more at rinaldibrothers.com.

Host Kimberly Thomas kicks off Creative Confidential with a highly requested topic: how to pitch a hotel (without fumbling the bag). She’s joined by special guest Marnely Murray of Shored Up Digital, who manages social for the New England Inns & Resorts Association as well as many other destinations such as Visit North Boston and Visit Martha's Vineyard, and sees travel pitches daily.

Together, we cover:

• What to include in a great hotel pitch

• How to offer value and set clear expectations

• Trade vs. paid collabs — and what to ask for

• The biggest DOs and DON’Ts (hint: don’t ask for holiday weekends)

• How to turn one trip into future opportunities

Follow along on Instagram at @necoastalcreative, and subscribe to the newsletter for insider tips and updates at necoastalcreative.com/subscribe

For more on Shored Up Digital

Follow along on instagram @shoredupdigital and www.shoredupdigital.com