trends
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
CHRIS IVEY
eet professional boxers
Helayne Kaplan and
Linda Dobrusin, but
don't expect to see
them in the ring duking it out. These
two women are packing gift boxes
with a punch.
Dobrusin and Kaplan started their
business, The Professional
"BOX"ers, a year ago after designing
welcome gifts for friends. They now
work with event planners, premier
hotels and private individuals to cre-
Linda Dobrusin, left, and Helayne Kaplan
show off some of their gift boxes.
Check out some loca
creators of custom-
designed packages.
Amaryllis Catering
(248) 645-1770
A Tisket A Tasket
(248) 661-4789
Cookies by Design
(248) 539-4029
Cookies Etc.
(248) 855-4421
Robyn & Dee's Goodies
(248) 626-0460
Rodnick Bros. Fruit & Gift
Baskets
(586) 772-4350
Sweet Success
(248) 788-2626
The Professional "Box" ers
(248) 788-3036, (248) 865-012
8 •
DECEMBER 2003 • STYLE AT THE IN
ate customized gift baskets and hospitality packages
to welcome hotel guests. Says Kaplan, "The wel-
coming feeling [of the packages] makes the guests
feel special; something that says, 'thank you so
much, we're so glad you're here'."
The women believe their unique presentation is
what sets them apart from other companies. Instead
of using generic bags or baskets, Kaplan and
Dobrusin use atypical containers such as colorful
boxes, mini shopping carts, or mailboxes to fill with
treats. And in addition to their knockout packaging,
each order, from the outside presentation to the
inside goods, is customized to the customers' person-
al wants or needs.
For example, a physician wanted a gift basket to
thank a fellow physician, a cardiologist, for helping
him when he was sick. So, the women filled a
mailbox with the cardiologist's favorite treats. The
outside of the mailbox read, "Special
Delivery...For the King of Hearts," and inside the
card read, "Thanks from the bottom of my heart."
Dobrusin and Kaplan were particularly challenged
when a hotel guest requested a welcome basket
for her dog. In the end, they managed to please
the pet as well as the pet owner.
Dobrusin and Kaplan will create a theme for each
package, or they can match your package to a party's
specific theme. "Every customer is unique; we like
to make our boxes special to each person," Kaplan
explains.
Although Dobrusin and Kaplan's business is
young, their friendship dates back several years when
they were both working at the Paper Place in
Applegate, helping with invitations. They enjoyed
their job so much they created their own album of
invitations to start their first company called "Our
Favourettes." After four years they ended their
working partnership but remained good friends.
About a year ago Dobrusin called Kaplan asking
for her help to make a basket for a friend. They had
so much fun that they decided to partner up again
and start the Professional "BOX"ers. These two
women are having a blast working together once
again, and they love the constant challenge of mak-
ing each order more creative than the last.
According Dobrusin, "We love to do creative
things and we work well together. We play off of
each other creatively. Its fun for us."
— Jodi Charms