Essential Packaging Store

Essential Packaging Store Get our exclusive newsletter at essentialpackaging.com for access to product features, Pinterest-worthy inspirations and a special offer!

At Essential Packaging, we are your small business packaging experts! Visit our retail Store location for imaginative displays featuring our many gift packaging products including bags, boxes, ribbon, tissue, cello and gift wrap. You just have to come in and see for yourself! You can also shop online with us, 24/7 at www.essentialpackaging.com. Follow us on Instagram too! We invite you to like, co

mment and share with us so we can connect better with you. Don't forget to check out our blog, abeautifullywrappedlife.com for easy tutorials and creative ideas.

Is it just me or…Has tipping gotten out of hand?!Since when did the minimum preset tip amount START at 20%??? And that w...
04/04/2023

Is it just me or…

Has tipping gotten out of hand?!

Since when did the minimum preset tip amount START at 20%??? And that was for PICKUP!!!

On the weekend, a friend and I went to a nice spa where we had a very pleasant experience. When time came to pay the bill, it was explained to me that an 18% gratuity was added to my bill already.

I have to say, I was a little taken aback. WHY was it already added and WHY was it 18%?? Don’t I get a say in how much, if any, I give as a gratuity?

Now I’m certain that this spa charges a premium price because it pays its staff well to do their job. What’s the tip for then??

In my soon to be 28 years at Essential Packaging, I’ve never been given a tip, nor have I ever expected one. I try to serve to my customers the best I can, that’s my job.

So, is it just me or is anyone else feeling like this tipping thing is getting a bit much??

Let me know in the comments with a 👍 or 👎

Ugh, Facebook...The only thing I find more irritating/confusing/challenging than Facebook is Facebook Ads! Trying to fig...
03/30/2023

Ugh, Facebook...

The only thing I find more irritating/confusing/challenging than Facebook is Facebook Ads!

Trying to figure out the ads usually ends in me to throwing something! Seriously, why does it have to be so complicated to figure out?!

So, when I got this email from Jen and Brittany at Plan That Social Club (the local biz group I belong to) I was relieved. They're hosting a Facebook Ads Bootcamp, taking us through every step of the process so we can set up and run a campaign (even if you've never done one before).

Facebook Ads are designed to grow email lists quickly, cost effectively, and Facebook users can quickly opt-in without ever having to leave the app.

Win-win!

And with 2 experienced Facebook ad experts walking us through it, it's a win-win-win for me!

I'll DEFINITELY be there for this bootcamp and if you're ready to grow your email list while mastering those Facebook Ads, you should join me too! And at just $25, what have you got to lose?!

***Join us LIVE April 17th - 21st from 12-1pm PST on Zoom***
***link in bio for more info and to sign up!***

Ah, influencers...Most experts say that you should be working with social media influencers if you want your business to...
03/20/2023

Ah, influencers...

Most experts say that you should be working with social media influencers if you want your business to grow. And while I don’t disagree, this recent news article made me laugh at how entitled SOME influencers have become.

This was about a UK influencer who’d contacted a Dublin hotel, expressing her interest in staying there for a few days, for free, in exchange for using her “influence” to help the hotel get some exposure.

The reply from the hotel’s owner was not only hilarious but the way he shut her down from a business perspective...

“If I let you stay here in return for a feature in your video, who is going to pay the staff who look after you? Maybe I should tell my staff they will be featured in your video in lieu of receiving payment for work carried out while you're in residence?”. He ended his email brilliantly with – “P.S. The answer is no.”

Wanting the get back at the hotel owner, the influencer replied with a 17-minute video saying that while she was embarrassed by his response, she was just a young person trying to run her influencer business.

But the hotel owner wasn’t about to let this go and sent her a bill for $4.3 MILLION Euros!!! Why?! Because after all this went down, her story had been featured in 114 articles across 20 countries with a potential reach of 450 million people!! PLUS her social media accounts all had huge spikes in traffic and engagement!! Looks like his “influence” certainly helped her out!

What do you think?
Have you had any "interesting" influencer experiences?

It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 years since the pandemic started but it also feels like a lifetime ago.Do you r...
03/15/2023

It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 years since the pandemic started but it also feels like a lifetime ago.

Do you remember when it all started?

My family and I were at YVR waiting to board our flight to Mexico for spring break. Being stranded in Mexico for almost 3 weeks, trying to get back home, were some of the most stressful days I’ve ever experienced.

But they almost can’t compare to the next 3 years of unimaginable stress trying to keep 2 businesses afloat, one of which was a gym.

Over these years, I’ve had some incredible conversations with fellow business owners. Some conversations inspired me to keep going, while others simply brought me to tears.

There are so many small businesses that really need our help, whether they're a retail store, restaurant, farmer’s market or coffee shop. Please consider supporting them in whatever way you can.

We can do it - one purchase, referral or kind word at a time.

Enough with the white stuff...Almost feels like we're back East and not Vancouver, lol!The white stuff seems to have sto...
02/28/2023

Enough with the white stuff...

Almost feels like we're back East and not Vancouver, lol!

The white stuff seems to have stopped for now and fortunately the roads are good in our area.

If you're planning on coming out today, David's on duty today at the Store until 4pm or you can shop online anytime.

Stay safe and enjoy the snow! ❄️❄️❄️

By now, you've probably heard about Chat GPT but in case you haven't, it's the amazing AI chatbot that's sweeping the na...
02/27/2023

By now, you've probably heard about Chat GPT but in case you haven't, it's the amazing AI chatbot that's sweeping the nation.

BUT you might also be wondering, what the heck it can do for you, the small business owner, right?!

Honestly, it can do A LOT for you!

How many times have you sat there, staring at your screen thinking "what am I gonna write/post/make a Reel/TikTok about?"

Probably, more than a few times and that's where ChatGPT can help you.

So I asked it the following question - Give me 3 funny Reel ideas for a small business

And this was its unedited reply-

"The Great Product Debate": Create a Reel where you debate which product is better while wearing funny costumes or using props. For example, you could have a coffee shop where one employee prefers iced coffee and the other prefers hot coffee, and they could argue their points using exaggerated gestures and facial expressions

"When customers give too much information": Create a Reel where you act out funny scenarios that happen when customers give too much information. For example, you could have a scene where a customer tells you their entire life story while ordering a sandwich, and the employee struggles to keep a straight face

"DIY Failures": Create a Reel where you show funny DIY fails related to your business. For example, if you're a plant store, you could have a scene where you try to repot a plant and end up covered in soil or accidentally break the pot. The key is to make it lighthearted and relatable

Now, those are pretty creative suggestions!

Keep in mind, ChatGPT is not meant to do all the work for you (remember it's AI and NOT a real person!) but it can definitely help you get unstuck so you can carry on with your business.

*Think you could use AI to help you with your social media content but just not sure where to begin?

Our friends Jen and Brittany .club have this beginner course that'll walk you through the whole process, get you feeling comfortable and posting some awesome content!

Here's the link- https://www.planthatsocial.club/10x-your-marketing-speed-and-efficiency-using-ai-for-your-small-business/onhug

Wow, that was a STRONG reaction...Earlier this week, I did a poll on our Stories about Meta's new Verified subscription ...
02/26/2023

Wow, that was a STRONG reaction...

Earlier this week, I did a poll on our Stories about Meta's new Verified subscription plan and the reaction was INTENSE!

Clearly y'all had STRONG OPINIONS about this!

i *kinda* think Meta set this one up - they *allowed* hackers and impersonators to run amuck so they could be the knight in shining armour that would save us with their PAID subscription 😉

A little pessimistic? Maybe, but as a small biz, I feel like this is just one more thing we're getting nickle and dimed over 🙄

But I'd love to get YOUR feedback - give me 👍 or 👎 in the comments below!

09/23/2021

Did you know...

We have a brand NEW WEBSITE??

Yup, we do! You can browse and shop with us 7 days a week. You can even do it in your Pj's, we won't judge 😉

And you can have your order shipped to you or select free curbside pick up, the choice is yours.

Let me take you on a little tour...

09/22/2021

You bake it, we box it!

I think we got the easy part! 😉😁

We've got boxes for-
Pies
Flans
Rolls
Logs
Cupcakes
Cinnamon buns
Muffins
Scones
Donuts
Danishes
Pastries
Sweets
Bars
Rum balls
Squares
Cookies

Did I miss anything?!?!

Address

#104/5433 152 Street
Surrey, BC
V3S5A5

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Essential Packaging Store posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Essential Packaging Store:

Share