3 min read

Best last-minute gifts Australia: Student turns forgotten birthday into multi-million-dollar same-day gifting business

After realising she had ‘nothing to lose’, Zoe Seymour set about turning her idea into reality.

This content is reviewed by the 7NEWS Editorial team. 7NEWS may receive a commission when you buy from links on our site. Prices correct at time of publication.

Zo Personalised offers same-day gifting of personalised glassware. Credit: Supplied

Best last-minute gifts Australia: Student turns forgotten birthday into multi-million-dollar same-day gifting business

After realising she had ‘nothing to lose’, Zoe Seymour set about turning her idea into reality.

This content is reviewed by the 7NEWS Editorial team. 7NEWS may receive a commission when you buy from links on our site. Prices correct at time of publication.

There’s nothing worse than realising you’ve forgotten a beloved friend or family member’s birthday and it being too late to get them any kind of meaningful gift.

But it’s even worse when you’re the person that’s been forgotten about.

When that happened to Aussie graduate Zoe Seymour, 27, one year, it led her to thinking: How can I prevent this from happening ever again?

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Her gifting business - Zo Personalised - was the result of these thoughts.

It enables shoppers in Sydney to order personalised glassware before 12pm and have it delivered on the same day.

Zoe Seymour is the brains behind a last-minute same-day gifting business. Credit: Supplied
Zo Personalised enables shoppers in Sydney to order personalised glassware before 12pm and have it delivered on the same day. Credit: Supplied

According to Zoe, who was a student when she came up with the idea for Zo Personalised in 2018, she had to do things on a shoestring in order to get Zo Personalised off the ground.

“I googled and YouTubed everything I needed to learn as I had nothing to lose,” she told Best Picks.

“I made my logo on Canva and started my free trial on Shopify.”

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To get her business off the ground, Zoe YouTubed and Googled everything. Credit: Supplied
Zo Personalised now has over 25,000 happy customers. Credit: Supplied

When she launched Zo Personalised, Zoe did so with personalised glassware that allows shoppers to add everything - from their friend’s initials to their star sign, numbers or emojis on the glass.

She said Zo Personalised was the “first of its kind to offer same-day delivery for personalised gifts” when you’re in Sydney.

If you’re not in Sydney, Zoe offers personalised services on the day of order, and then that order is shipped on the same day.

What this means is that you can usually receive a personalised gift within three or four days.

“I remember when we launched, we sold out really quickly, and then we had 900 per cent growth each year for the first three years,” Zoe said.

She now employs her mum within the business and describes her as her “best friend and number one supporter”.

When she started out, Zoe was packing many of the boxes herself. Credit: Supplied
Her mum now works for Zo Personalised too. Credit: Supplied

When it comes to the best-selling pieces on the Zo Personalised website, there are many, alongside thousands of glowing reviews from people who love her products.

Everything comes with high quality European glassware, and there is also a personalisation hotline (1300 47 66 11) for any help with orders.

The wine glasses (from $99.99) in particular come with hundreds of glowing reviews.

“I got one for my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day. He loved it, especially because I had no idea what else to get him! It’s beautifully designed and such a personal gift. Love it! Thank you,” one shopper wrote.

“The gift box and packaging were amazing,” another added.

“It’s a such a beautiful glass. The personalisation just gives it that extra touch. Absolutely loved everything. We will definitely be purchasing some more things in the near future.”

Others love the Champagne flutes ($84.99), dubbing them “so elegant”.

Many also love the stylish packaging the gifts come in. Credit: Supplied
Zoe describes her mum as her best friend. Credit: Supplied

Zoe has won a number of awards for her game-changing business, including Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2021 at the Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

She has also turned over more than $1 million and boasts a number of high-profile fans, including some of Australia’s top influencers like Steph Claire Smith and Tammy Hembrow.

“Each order is made with so much love and we aim to make people feel deserving and important,” Zoe said.

“It brings me so much joy that we can now do that even at the 11th hour.”

For more information and to shop Zo Personalised, head here.

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