Storefront Stories: ACK Gift Bags - Celebrating Women's History Month Spotlights

In honor of Women's History Month, we’re spotlighting #ACKChamber Women Owned Businesses! We asked Denise Badders of ACK Gift Bags a few questions, here are her answers!

Q. How has 2020 challenged you as a businesswoman, if at all?

A. First off, thank you all [The Chamber] for the incredible “JOB WELL DONE” with all of the hard work, and creative thinking to keep our little island thriving. This last year has most certainly been a challenge for everyone. You all seemed to keep that bright light at the end of the tunnel a little brighter so thank you!

Q. What mantra do you live by?

A. It’s really simple actually, “it’s nice to be nice.” Choose kindness; happiness may not always be easy when life is happening around you, but the reward it brings is a beautiful karma

Q. To what do you attribute your success?

A. I want to give a shout out and empower Kylie Laird who used to live here. She is a brilliant businesswoman who created this small business in 2011 I believe. I bought the company from her in 2016. I always tell her that she built a beautiful house, I just moved the furniture. I love sharing kindness and giving gifts to people that in turn make them smile. I love when people arrive in Nantucket for the first time, walk into their rental and  they are greeted by a beautiful ‘Welcome Bag’ that I have staged. Just that first impression brings them joy, and that is what drives me.  

Q. Why do you think it's important to support other women?

A. Every opportunity I get, I try to empower women. I support them, I compliment them and I most certainly learn from them. We have to build up and embrace constructive criticism whenever it is offered. 

Q. How do you balance owning a business and your personal life?

A. HA! The struggle is real!  I should videotape myself on a Saturday morning when my children are watching cartoons and I am running around creating so many welcome bags for Saturday arrivals. I always think about the future, and how I can set my children up for success. They watch how hard I work, they know how much I love this business; and the reward is, it is a business that this island will always need. I remind my daughter and son every day that when mom and dad go to work, it is always for them. Marley cannot wait to create gift bags by the way.  #futureackbagladyintraining

Q. Who is the most influential woman in your life and why?

A. To me that question is too hard to choose. I have learned so much from so many incredibly talented and successful women in my life. I will be 50 years old in June so to name just one would be an injustice. I can tell you the traits that I admire the most, however. Get up and go to work every day, try new things, ask for help, listen to people, fall down and fail, get back up again. You will never know unless you try.  Be honest, be loyal and most certainly be the truest most authentic person you can be.  

Q. What tips or advice do you have for other women wanting to start their own business?

A. Best advice, call someone you admire. Go out for coffee with a notepad and listen to all they can offer you. Do this several times. Ask for help. Just do it. Surround yourself with positive, strong and confident women/moms/wives/daughters/sisters/family and conquer your dreams.