Avenue Wrapping’s Vanessa West Represents Memphis on National Stage

Vanessa West, founder of Avenue Wrapping, has turned a simple passion for gift wrapping into a thriving business in Memphis. As part of Memphis’ Women-Owned Passport and soon to be featured on the Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge premiering on November 2, Vanessa brings her unique approach to wrapping gifts into the spotlight. Her business journey, shaped by Memphis’s community and creativity, illustrates how an unexpected idea can grow into a meaningful venture that connects people in surprising ways.

A Spark of Creativity During Difficult Times

Vanessa’s journey into professional gift wrapping began unexpectedly during the COVID-19 lockdown. She and her family had just moved to Memphis, knowing few people and facing the closures that limited everyone’s interaction. Amid the isolation, Vanessa turned to a hobby she loved—wrapping gifts—and posted on a neighborhood app offering her services. The response was overwhelming. “People kept calling after the holidays, asking if I could wrap for birthdays, christenings, and more,” she recalls. Through this, a business was born, largely due to the community’s warm response to her talent.

Representing Memphis on a National Stage

The opportunity to represent Memphis in the Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge was an unexpected and exciting twist in Vanessa’s career. Out of contestants from across the country, Vanessa was the only one from Tennessee. Filming was intense, with long 12-hour days and a fast-paced reality TV schedule, but Vanessa embraced the Memphis spirit throughout. “Memphis has this grit and grind that pushes you to keep going,” she explains, a trait that was essential in the high-pressure setting of the show. With the premiere approaching, Vanessa still feels the thrill of representing the 901 on a national platform.

Building Community Through Creativity

Avenue Wrapping has become part of the tight-knit Memphis arts and small business scene. Vanessa credits her success to the city’s strong support for local makers. “The art scene here feels much bigger than you’d expect for a city this size,” she says, describing Memphis as an ideal place to cultivate a creative business. From holiday markets to neighborhood craft fairs, Vanessa sees firsthand how locals come together to celebrate artistic ventures.

Avenue Wrapping's Signature Style

Vanessa’s approach to gift wrapping is highly personal, shaped by her background in counseling. Each wrap design begins with questions about the recipient’s personality, favorite colors, and style. Vanessa often looks at photos of the people she’s wrapping gifts for to capture the right mood. This thoughtful process, combined with her eye for coordinating colors, makes each gift from Avenue Wrapping feel like its own statement.

With the holiday season approaching, Vanessa is excited to bring new ideas to Memphis, offering coordinated wrapping sets in styles that range from traditional to playful. She even includes a modern twist on Hanukkah wrapping, with bold colors like mint and pink for Christmas and themes that blend stripes, leopards, and unique patterns for a contemporary flair.

Looking Ahead

Following the exposure from the show, Vanessa hopes to reach more companies for client appreciation and employee gift services. Avenue Wrapping has a small collaboration planned with Paper Source and additional partnerships with boutique brands like Hooray All Day. Vanessa’s commitment to keeping her shop stocked with products from small businesses and independent designers reflects her values. “We try to avoid mass-produced items,” she notes, believing that both her wrapping and the items in her shop should feel unique and personal.

Vanessa West and Avenue Wrapping are great examples of how passion, creativity, and community support can turn a simple idea into a beloved local business. As Vanessa continues to grow her company, her journey remains a testament to the resilience and spirit of Memphis, one beautifully wrapped gift at a time.

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