Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Seymore.
Hi Chloe, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
With a background spanning film, art, and real estate, I’ve built my career around creativity and connection. My experiences leading a contemporary art space and co-owning a boutique real estate firm ultimately inspired me to launch CETTE, a women-owned and led gifting studio.
The concept emerged from years of creating client thank-you gifts, where I was consistently seeking alternatives to the typical ‘wine-in-a-bag’ gift approach. I became passionate about collaborating with local makers and sourcing sustainable products that reflect true gratitude rather than giving branded swag.
The challenge became scaling this personal approach for B2B clients while maintaining the feeling of authentic connection and expanding beyond our home base in North Carolina. That vision has paid off—some of our biggest clients are now in New York and California, and we ship nationwide.
We curate gift experiences for clients who value sustainability and exceptional craftsmanship. Each set is sourced with intent from makers we believe in and designed to be both given and kept. We’d rather create a set with three beautiful, meaningful pieces than stuff a box with excess items recipients will likely discard.
And sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us—it’s integral to everything we do. As partners with 1% for the Planet, we donate a percentage of our annual revenue to vetted environmental non-profits. From our sustainable gift wrapping to using dissolvable packing peanuts, every detail matters in creating an exceptional unboxing experience while still respecting the planet.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s not been an entirely smooth road—but the challenges have been educational and ultimately strengthened our business.
One of our biggest hurdles has been shifting mindsets around corporate gifting. We have had to educate the market that genuine appreciation doesn’t always follow a calendar and is best expressed unbranded—moving away from logo-heavy promotional items toward gifts that create real connections.
As a small, bootstrapped team, my operating partner Carolyn and I have also stepped well outside our comfort zones. I was off social media for five years before starting CETTE, so digital marketing was definitely not my strong suit! We’re constantly learning new skills and wearing multiple hats while trying to stand out in a saturated marketplace on a tight budget.
What’s kept us going is our genuine love for the work and partnership. Every obstacle has taught us something valuable. So no, the road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about CETTE?
CETTE offers ready-to-ship curated gift sets and custom gifting services, and we specialize in creating meaningful gift experiences for creative businesses, client-focused teams, and discerning individuals—whether you’re saying thank-you, celebrating a milestone, or recognizing everyday connections.
What sets us apart is our commitment to unbranded, sustainable gifting and the belief that this is what reinforces genuine relationships (rather than creating more promotional noise). I think we’re most proud of how we put our values into action: by supporting a diverse group of creators and small batch makers, by spending time carefully sourcing all items and materials that go into our gift sets, and with our commitment to 1% for the Planet, pledging to donate a percentage of our annual revenue to one of their vetted environmental nonprofits.
Essentially, we’re focused on reimagining corporate gifting for companies and individuals who want their appreciation to feel authentic and align with their values. So whether you need 1 gift or 100, we make it easy to give gifts that matter—both to the recipient and the planet.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are several ways to work with CETTE…
We’re available year-round for ready-to-ship gifts through shopcette.com, with inventory ready for those important life moments when you don’t have time to shop around. Our online process makes it super easy—ship to multiple addresses in one order and add personalized messages, and we’ll handle the handwritten notes.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? We also love creating custom proposals for special requests! Contact us at [email protected] to start that conversation.
For Triangle-area clients, we offer private shopping in our studio showroom—reach out by phone or email and we’ll set up a time to show you our gift sets in person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopcette.com
- Instagram: shop_cette
- Other: [email protected]
