Meet Christy Gandy | Owner & Founder, Love Well Co.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christy Gandy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In October of 2015 my dad passed away. Being the first really close person I had lost, it was a new experience to be on that side of grief. I realized in a new way what it feels like when people don’t reach out in the ways you expect. They didn’t know what to do or say, so sometimes they simply said nothing. It was hurtful, but I saw myself in them and understood how I had been the exact same way before experiencing a loss so personal. There was so little education surrounding not the issue of dealing with your own grief, but how to effectively support those around you who were grieving, and I wanted to be a part of changing that.

So, I started writing a book based on the things I was learning and the situations and people my husband and I were getting to support through some hard things in the years following my dad’s death. I started researching and interviewing people, attending writing conferences and even meeting with a literary agent. My creative juices were flowing and eventually the idea was born for the gift boxes – a tangible way for people to show their grieving friends they cared. Flowers can feel cliche, not everyone wants to deliver a homecooked meal, and beyond that people kind of don’t know what else to do. I wanted to make it easy for them to show up for their friends in a tangible way, beyond just a generic (though probably sincere) “I’m so sorry for your loss” post on Facebook.

When you receive an unexpected gift of any kind it instantly makes you feel seen, cared for, and loved. I started my business to make it easier for people to do just that. When you don’t know what to do but you know you want to do something, send a Love Well box!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When people log onto my site they are given the option to send either a ready-to-ship box (no thinking about it required! Just add to cart!) or to build their own from our collection of unique and thoughtful items. At checkout the customer has the option to write a brief note to the recipient, but then I will hand write their note onto a card that is included with the box. I wrap up the box, pray over it, and send it on it’s way! Boxes have been delivered all over the US, including Alaska and Hawaii! My box comes from a faith-based perspective where I believe it is more blessed to give than to receive. Proverbs 11:25 is our theme verse which says, ” A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” We want to encourage people to love on their hurting friends because it matters. The hurting friend feels seen, remembered, and loved, and you as the give receive a blessing too!

The items I choose for the boxes are most often purchased from other small businesses, not bought in bulk off Amazon or something you might find at Target. I strive to select meaningful items that will be comforting, encouraging, and thoughtful based on the needs of those who are grieving.

In addition to the curated gift boxes I am passionate about providing my social media followers and email subscribers with practical do’s and don’ts about how to love well. When people don’t know what to do or what to say they feel awkward and tend to do or say nothing. I want to create more education around this topic so we are more comfortable and confident supporting our friends walking through difficult seasons. I want people to know there are SO many more reasons to grieve other than the loss of a loved one. I want them to feel equipped to respond appropriately no matter what their friend is going through.

There is so much on the market related to getting through your own grief, but I feel like we’re lacking when it comes to being a great friend supporting someone else walking through grief. What do you say or not say? What is the proper etiquette for visiting in a hospital or attending a funeral? What are practical ways to help? What if I make my friend cry? These are the kinds of things I love talking about and teaching people how to navigate.

I’m currently working on the book I started several years ago and hoping to have it published soon. I would also love to do more speaking on this topic, as I think it’s practical, interesting, and something more people really would like to know how to do better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Because I’m more familiar with Dallas than Fort Worth I would probably start there! The Farmer’s Market in Dallas is lovely on the weekends, We’d spend a day in Bishop Arts shopping and eating our way through town. We’d start with donuts and coffee from The Salty Donut, then find some shops along Bishop to wander around. For lunch we’d grab grilled cheese sandwiches at Dallas Grilled Cheese Co. followed by a gourmet popsicle from Picole. After more shopping we’d enjoy cocktails and dinner at Paradiso and top it all off with some pie to go from Emporium Pies!

I’d make sure to hit the Dallas Farmer’s Market, especially if the weather’s lovely. The Tea Around Town bus would be a fabulous way to show them the city and many famous landmarks around town all while enjoying a delicious meal.

We’d spend a day at the Dallas Arboretum and enjoy their tea service at the restaurant before heading to III Forks for dinner.

Then we’d hop over to Fort Worth where we would spend a couple nights at the Drover Hotel and enjoy finding cute coffee shops around town. There would be time for shopping at the Worthy Co. and drinks at Brewed before we enjoyed dinner at Joe T. Garcia’s. And don’t forget the Stockyards where we would make sure not to miss the daily cattle drive down Exchange Ave.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband Justin, my cousin Julie, and friend Jodie have been huge cheerleaders for me along the way. They have listened, asked questions, brainstormed, and helped me make this better in so many ways.

Website: https://www.lovewellcollective.com

Instagram: @lovewellco.shop

Linkedin: Love Well Collective

Facebook: Love Well Collective

Image Credits
Charity Clayton Photography