Courtesy of Small Packages
By Ann Donnelly
Saratoga-based Small Packages is a company built on the idea that gift-giving should be personal and stress-free.
Owner Riham LaRussa, who took over the company in late 2022, aims to empower customers to find the perfect gift for any occasion. Each gift box is curated with a personal touch, ensuring the recipient feels unique and valued.
Small Packages offers a variety of gift boxes, each filled with high-quality products, 85 percent of which come from women-owned or minority-owned businesses.
“These brands don’t get as much attention, so we want to highlight and showcase these and help you discover new brands and products,” says LaRussa.
The gift boxes are suitable for a wide range of occasions, from birthdays and new baby arrivals to self-care and holidays. Small Packages also allows customers to create custom gift boxes, selecting from various products on the website that suit their budget and the recipient’s interests.
“I have one client that likes to send boxes around Thanksgiving every year for her family and friends, and she wants to use only products from upstate New York,” said LaRussa. “I’ve found new local businesses like coffee roasters and a new peanut butter company based in Albany that has cookie dough in the peanut butter. I am lucky to meet so many cool and creative individuals in the area and throughout the US.”
While individual gift-giving is growing, corporate gifting is the most significant part of the business. LaRussa said, “We curate specifically for each company and each event. It could be a gift for a speaker or employees on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.”
She also noted that the corporate gift-giving season has shifted. “Everyone knows that people travel around the holidays, so there is an increase in ‘gratitude gifts’ in November or celebrating the New Year.”
LaRussa is passionate about supporting small businesses and creating a positive social impact. “My parents were immigrants to the U.S. and they are truly the American dream. My dad was a street vendor in New York City and then ended up being a chief electrical engineer and traveled the world, designing transformers still in place in countries like Germany and Japan. With Small Packages, I can help other women and minorities achieve their dreams.”
She curates her selection of products with a steadfast focus on quality and sustainability, ensuring that each gift box feels special and supports worthy causes. This commitment to quality and sustainability reassures clients that their gifting choices align with important values. Beyond just offering gifts, Small Packages is committed to providing a helpful and stress-free gifting experience. Their website allows for easy browsing and customization, and the team is always happy to answer questions and offer suggestions.
Like many transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurism, LaRussa, who spent 17 years in the stone and tile industry, missed having a team and people to bounce ideas off of. However, her team at Small Packages is growing, and she finds that being based at the Palette coworking community in Saratoga gives her access to several businesswomen who provide support and a sounding board.
Small Packages is constantly evolving; this year, they started a Marketplace section on the website for those who wish to order products for themselves. LaRussa is considering expanding to offer subscription boxes and is always looking for new ways to personalize the gifting experience. In the coming weeks, Small Packages will launch their new holiday gift boxes, offering various unique and thoughtful options for last-minute shoppers.
To learn more about Small Packages and browse their curated gift boxes and products, visit their website at https://smallpackages.co/. You can also contact them via email at hello@smallpackages.co or fill out the form on their website to inquire about bulk gifting options.