Meet the Maker (and the Small but Mighty Team) Behind SoGiftMe

At SoGiftMe, we believe that finding the perfect gift shouldn’t be stressful — it should be something you enjoy, something that feels just as special to give as it does to receive.

So… who’s behind all this gift magic? It’s me — Suemei — the heart, the hands, and the (sometimes overthinking) brain behind SoGiftMe. Along the way, I’ve had the incredible support of my husband, Tony, and my sister, Mary — the small but mighty team helping me turn this dream into reality.

How It All Started

SoGiftMe officially kicked off in September 2020 — right in the middle of all the chaos that year brought.

I had an idea and a whole lot of heart, but honestly?I had to learn everything from scratch — where to get products, how to create them, what equipment we needed, how to build a website, how to even run social media.It wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn’t perfect.

Along the way, we made mistakes — trusted the wrong people, created products that flopped, spent money on the wrong things.We learned the hard way what worked... and what didn’t.

There were moments where I had to make tough calls — pivoting, adjusting, and even letting go of ideas I loved in order to stay relevant, to stay open, and most of all, to stay true to the heart of SoGiftMe.

Over time (and especially now), SoGiftMe has evolved. As more competitors entered the market, I knew I had to adapt again — tweaking what we offered, how we showed up, and even how we priced, always keeping our customers in mind.

Listening, learning, adjusting — that’s the foundation SoGiftMe is built on.

What started as a side project has now grown into a real business — a space for busy, thoughtful people to find gifts that actually mean something.

"Success isn’t about never failing. It’s about learning, adapting, and showing up again — stronger than before."

The SoGiftMe Way

Everything you see — from our hand-pressed t-shirts to our small-batch tumblers — is created with one simple goal: Style the moment. Gift the occasion.

We believe the best gifts are:

Thoughtful (even when you're short on time)
High quality (because no one wants junk)
Fun (because smiles matter)

I personally design and hand-press every shirt and tumbler right here in Texas 🇺🇸, choosing soft, comfy materials and designs made to be worn, used, and loved — not forgotten in a closet.

Most of the gifts I create or curate start with thinking about real people. A past customer, a coworker, a friend from years ago — I'll see something and think, "They would have loved this."Every item here is inspired by real moments and real people.

When it’s something I don’t personally make — like bags, jewelry, or other unique finds — I team up with small U.S.-based businesses that believe in craftsmanship and heart just like I do. Because shopping small isn’t just a slogan to me — it’s a way of life.

Who’s Behind the Booth (and Behind the Scenes)

At local events and pop-ups, chances are you’ve met Mary — my sister, biggest cheerleader, and event MVP. She’s the friendly face helping you pick out the perfect gift and making sure SoGiftMe feels just as welcoming in person as it does online.

And if Mary isn’t available, you’ve probably seen Tony stepping in without missing a beat — hauling displays, helping customers, and making sure everything runs smoothly (even if he still lets me do all the talking 😉).

We may be small, but we’re mighty — and every single thing we do is built around creating something special for you.

Always Listening, Always Evolving

One thing we’ve learned over the years? Listen to your customers.

We constantly take feedback to heart — whether it’s finding better products, improving our designs, or adjusting our pricing to stay accessible. SoGiftMe isn’t stuck in one place — we’re always growing, always learning, and always trying to serve you better.

Because gifting isn’t just about handing over something pretty — it’s about making someone feel truly seen, celebrated, and loved.

And that’s what we’re here for.

Lessons We’ve Learned Along the Way

If there’s anything SoGiftMe has taught us, it’s this:

Trust your gut. Not every opportunity is the right one. If something feels off, it probably is.
Listen to your customers. They’ll tell you what they love, what they need, and what’s missing — you just have to listen.
It’s okay to fail — just don’t quit. Wrong products, wrong people, wrong turns... we’ve been there. What matters is getting back up and moving forward.
Adapt or get left behind. The market changes. Customers’ needs change. And we’ve learned to evolve without losing who we are.
Stay true to your why. Fancy trends come and go. But staying focused on why we started — to make gifting easier, more personal, and more joyful — has always been our North Star.

Let’s Stay Connected

Want a behind-the-scenes peek? First dibs on new drops? Occasional life hacks and laughs?Come hang out with us on Facebook and jump on the Get on the List — we promise, it’s the good kind of inbox fun.

Thanks for being part of the SoGiftMe story. We’re just getting started.