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Inger McDowell-Hartye, owner and chief curator of Love From PDX was received the Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 Award in 2017. With Love From PDX is a gifting company based in Portland, Oregon. McDowell-Hartye incorporates her passion for design and her experience in curating locally-made goods and products into her business each day. Her success has continued and she shared with us what has been happening since winning the award.

Since receiving the Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 Award, what amazing new adventures have you undertaken?

Since receiving the Gift + Stationery 40 under 40 award, I’ve expanded With Love, From PDX to my hometown Reno, Nevada, under With Love, From Reno, with hopes of growing my company  and offering the same great, local service to corporations. I’m working on building the company and connecting with local makers around the city. The goal is to eventually be able to offer gifts curated with locally-made goods and products from makers in cities across America. 

How has receiving the Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 Award positively impacted you, personally and professionally?

As a result of being a recipient of the Gift + Stationery award in 2017, I’ve continued to offer seasonal gift boxes and have focused more on growing my corporate clients. I think the award was a great honor and really impressed upon me the opportunity to recognize my talent and skills as a creative. The momentum of the award since receiving it has given me authority in my field. I’ve been interviewed for KGW and FOX 12 news and spoken at events across Portland. I think the award definitely boosted my confidence in my ability to successfully scale my company and grow my brand. 

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I’d like to continue growing the company and be expanding to different cities across America. I think there’s so much potential in local corporate gifting and I also realize the challenges to building a unique brand like mine takes relationships and a localized presence.  

What advice can you share with others in this industry about growing a career, business, or network?

I think it’s really important to trust yourself and to stay true to your vision for your company. And on the flip side of that, I think it’s imperative to seek out people who you can learn from. It’s easy to become isolated as an entrepreneur and my advice would be to share what your doing, ask for help, and constantly be reading and studying and investing daily in yourself.