By Zoe Howard
Copy Editor
Senior Jax Stutz opens the holiday season with a bow by continuing her gift wrapping business.
Stutz started her business six years ago when she was 12-years-old. Each year, Stutz starts after Thanksgiving and typically wraps between 200 and 300 gifts. Most of Stutz’s business comes from around 10 to 15 clients with large orders, but she also accepts new orders through the email mbhedgehog11@aol.com.
“I started it because I absolutely loved gift wrapping, and my mom suggested that I could make some money out of it,” Stutz said. “It is only during the holidays, as it is mainly meant to help busy people during this time.”
The prices range from $2 to $4 depending on the size of the gift. Stutz says that she has a huge supply of paper, ribbons, bows, boxes and tags, so none of her clients have to worry about that. Stutz also occasionally delivers some of the packages if possible.
“My main goal is always just to have a good time,” Stutz said. “I have the pleasure of being able to have a job that I love, and I am grateful that I was able to turn a passion of mine into a real business. I just hope that each year I continue to wrap as many gifts as possible while still keeping up with my other responsibilities.”
Each year in January, Stutz stocks up on supplies when there are sales. While Stutz does a majority of the work by herself, she still gets help from her mom, Shelly Stutz.
“I lovingly call my mom my ‘elf helper,’ because I’m ‘Jax the Elf,’” Stutz said. “But she mainly helps with customers while I’m at school, and comes with me to buy supplies after Christmas. I really appreciate her help as she has been supportive throughout my journey.”
When Stutz first started her business, her customer base started by emailing family friends and other parents her mom knew. Over the years, Stutz says she has developed a loyal clientele and continues to expand by spreading the word of her business through babysitting, National Charity League relationships and sending flyers to people.
“I love being able to relax, listen to music, and wrap during such a stressful time; it is a really great creative outlet,” Stutz said. “Matching the prints with decorations and deciding how I should wrap a gift is just endlessly fun to me, and I can really just wrap for hours on end.”
Last year, Stutz made $900 and donated a portion to the Los Angeles Food Bank. Stutz has also donated to charities that provide toys for kids in need and animal shelters. This year, Stutz is thinking about donating to an organization that cleans up the ocean.
“It’s rewarding to know that I’m able to handle running my own business and managing my time,” Stutz said. “I also love being able to use my own creativity and enterprise to help other people that hate wrapping or have other important tasks to do. Although gift wrapping maybe is not [a] “noble” or special thing, it is a hobby I truly love, and just being able to wrap hundreds of gifts makes me happy.”
The most challenging part for her has been balancing her academics, athletics and business responsibilities. Stutz is also involved in Costa’s soccer team and loves to play the guitar, read and listen to music.
“If left to my own devices, I could wrap for hours and forget to study for a test, but over the years I’ve learned how to juggle running an in-demand business while studying for finals,” Stutz said. “Some nights I’ll wrap until midnight, but running my business has taught me to be more organized.”
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