Meet Mari Green: Gift Designer + Director of Joy

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

Hi Mari, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I never expected to pursue my creative side as a career path. In fact, I always knew that my place was in the medical field because I knew I wanted to help people and I was fascinated by the human body. I guess God had a different path for me but looking back I can see how life lead me to this moment. I started by accident. I’ve always been crafty and loved making gifts for others. Before I knew it, people were asking how to purchase. Over the years there have been many, many (I could add a few more but let me not bore you) iterations from colors and names that got me to where I am now. Some of them were absolutely hideous looking back!! Lol. As I have been on this life journey there were a few things that become really clear to me. I had been blessed with the gifts of creating nothing out of something, beautification, and making people feel good. I’ve always seen it as just treating people well but it’s so much more than that to me now. Lincoln Avenue Gift Company is the perfect place where my purpose and my passions intersect. Do you know how amazing that feels?! I firmly believe that life and the people in it are our greatest gifts and deserve to be celebrated so it warms my heart to be able to help people celebrate their special people and occasions. I get excited to play a part in other’s joy and happiness!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lincoln Avenue Gift Company is a modern celebration boutique specializing in gifts, paper goods, and party essentials. I get so excited because I get to help people celebrate all of the moments, big and small. Whether it is an engagement, graduation, new employee, or simply because it is Tuesday we can come up with something special. I’ll be honest, the grads are probably my favorites because I love seeing the designs they come up with for their graduation stoles and bringing them to life. I absolutely love being able to help infuse joy, gratitude, and celebration into the everyday. Has it been easy? Not even close!! I feel like I have been in the fight of my life building this and I wouldn’t change a thing! I’m still so far from where I see myself being. I’ve fought, continuing to fight really, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and my introverted side. One of the biggest things that has helped me to move forward is to really get to know myself, my wants, my needs, and what brings me unequivocal joy. I used that to lead me because I wanted to make sure that this was something that not only made my customers feel good but I wanted to feel good doing it too. I had to learn that it’s okay if it isn’t perfect, just means that I’m leaving room for improvement. Won’t lie, that’s probably the toughest one for me but it’s not like anyone else has the vision in my brain so why not go for it, right? But I want it to be great! I’m a work in progress! I encourage anyone who wants to pursue a dream to really get to know themselves to make sure that it’s just right for them before the world has a chance to say what’s what. Positivity, joyful living, and gratitude are a way of life for me. It encompasses what true celebration means for me. Lincoln Avenue Gift Company is my love letter to home, my community, and to overall togetherness. I founded it because I believe in the simplicity of humanity and I’m a sucker for pretty packaging topped off with a bow! It is my mission to help strengthen and celebrate human connections through the art of gifting well and celebrating beautifully. I just want to spread joy one gift at a time!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Conway is a quaint community so we are hitting up some of the local spots that you can’t find everywhere. I love a good food truck so we definitely have to hit up Wild Ginger for some amazing hibachi and Spud Love, home of the most flavorful loaded baked potato I have ever had! Of course we’ll top it off with a cupcake from PattiCakes, so good! If it’s springtime then we will have to go to Toad Suck, I know, it sounds crazy but it’s our local festival that Conway is known for. I love seeing what the booths are selling and the food!!! I live for a good funnel cake! Last but not least, Target! I don’t care where I am, if there is one around I will ALWAYS go to Target. Judge not! Lol 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?
I want to dedicate this to my amazing family and friends that have been so supportive in pursuit of building Lincoln Avenue Gift Co. My family is super tight knit and like a real life version of the Cosby’s. They have done everything from being my runners when I need someone to go to the post office to supply deliveries. More than that, they pray for me, my business, and the decisions that I have to make. I’m so thankful God blessed me with them. My friends are the ones who hype me up and give me those “Aye, aye” moments when I need them but will also quickly tell me all about myself when I need it. That’s what I call balance! I also want to send a special thank you to all of our neighbors that lived on Lincoln Avenue in Lawton, Oklahoma when I was a kid. Each of you played a part in being my inspiration! We lived in a really connected community that was full of generosity. We all celebrated each other lives, accomplishments, and occasions through giving from the heart.

Website: www.lincolnavenuegiftco.com

Instagram: @lincolnavenuefitco

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lincolnavenuegiftco

Other: Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lincolnavenuegiftco

Image Credits
Classie Photography Melegancy Photography