01/26/2026
Earlier this morning, we sent the email I never wanted to send:
Willinglee has always had a special place in my heart. Alex and I dreamt it up a year after our wedding, and for over 5 years, it’s been a significant part of my life. My brain space has been dedicated to thinking of sweet gifts to send across the country.
It was always my dream to leave corporate America and work with small shops and artisans to bring handmade goods into homes nationwide. Helping spread smiles made life feel purposeful, especially during the pandemic and our struggles with infertility. Giving to others has always been our guiding light.
But honestly, it has mostly remained a dream. Like many of you, we live in a high-cost area, and leaving work was never really feasible. The reality of running a small business is messy: late nights at the computer after a full day’s work, only to be up with the baby throughout the night. With Alex returning to full-time management, I was working overtime on Willinglee alongside my 30-hour/week job and childcare. Despite Alex helping when he could, neither of us was happy with the output or our complete lack of rest. For years, we’ve had conversations about whether to close the business. I never wanted to let up, but this year, I finally started warming to the idea—more rest, more mental space, more quality time with the family we fought so hard to build.
Though it’s difficult to accept, to make space in our lives for what comes next, this will be Willinglee’s last Valentine’s Day. If you’ve been with us for a while, you know we love “Everyday” gifts—gift boxes sent for no particular reason. But we’re here for the card holidays too. This Valentine’s Day, whether you gift through Willinglee or on your own, we encourage you to fill whatever you send with extra love. Send with intention. That’s what we’ve done these past 5+ years, and what we’ll continue to do until we officially close our doors.
❤️ Thank you to our customers, we love you ❤️
