As we launch our new website, I thought it would be a good time to look back and revisit how Embrace came about, the history behind the store …
Embrace has now been operating for 13 years and was created, and has evolved, as a result of my past experiences…
Interestingly, the foundation of Embrace is not about selling items, and more about really understanding what makes us “happy”.
My first career was as a psychiatric nurse, which in context taught me about embracing and acceptance of all people. I have always, and will continue to be in the pursuit of personal growth. I love beautiful and stylish aesthetics, and home décor, having completed CertIV in Interior Decoration. My first business was with my husband (a landscape gardener) when we established one of the first garden and homeware related shops in Williamstown. Having established the homewares store at Poyntons Nursery, another couple of retail shops later and the birth of my son, it was time to look at another retail business with the luxury of many varied experiences to draw on.
The ideology behind Embrace was to establish my own retail business (because that is what I knew) but one with purpose, the products needed to be useful and good for the soul, accessible to everyone, and that was going to give back to the local community and beyond …
The name Embrace, Life Love and Happiness came about after I attended a conference called Happiness and its causes … and after listening to the wise words of the Dalai Lama, I concluded that life was about embracing life love and happiness, and the relationships that we create throughout our lives. The tag that went along with our business name was “Happiness is not what you get from others, but what you give to others …. “
I feel proud that we created and actioned our values, and now 13 years on I can look back and see what we have achieved from embracing our values which translate to how we do business.
We have a lovely loyal and valued clientele …
We have given to many charities along the way …
- Western Chances
- The Hunger Project (we raised $20,000) for THP
- Sue Sofarnos Foundation
- So many local schools, sporting clubs and organisations that need help or donations.
And most importantly anyone that does come into the store is embraced and valued, which does make us happy …