needi’s Gifting Formula for 7-Digit Growth and Success with Louise Doyle (episode 535)
Louise Doyle is the co-founder and CEO of needi. Who are revolutionising corporate gift giving via their Shopify eCommerce site. The website launched in 2021 and to date they’ve done £1.5 million in sales.
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Dive in:
[03:38] Birth of needi: motivating global teams.
[07:33] Practical gifts over traditional ones.
[12:05] AI-driven gift selection solution.
[13:05] Thoughtful gift giving insights.
[17:36] Recruiting innovative merchant partnerships.
[19:57] Listen to Louise’s Top Tips!
Solve a Real Problem
Needi started by addressing a personal frustration: the difficulty of finding meaningful corporate gifts. Louise and her co-founder identified a gap in the market. They focused on making gifting easier and more impactful. This shows that a successful business often stems from solving a problem you yourself experience. Start with a real need, and you’ll find a willing audience.
Make Sustainability a Core Value
Many corporate gifts create unnecessary waste. Needi focuses on locally sourced, sustainable products to reduce environmental impact. This approach supports small businesses while also cutting down on shipping emissions. Companies can still give branded items, but they should be high-quality and useful. A sustainable gifting strategy shows customers and employees that a business truly cares.
Balance Automation with the Human Touch
Needi uses AI to aid gift selection. However, they maintain a strong human element. AI helps analyze data, but personal conversations ensure each gift aligns with the recipient’s needs. Corporate clients often appreciate a concierge-style approach for high-stakes gifting. This shows that tech should enhance, not replace, genuine human connections.
Supplier Relationships Matter
Needi looks for suppliers with both great products and an adaptable mindset. Founders who are flexible and solution-focused tend to thrive. When things go wrong, quick problem-solving is essential. The right attitude turns challenges into opportunities to impress clients. Business success isn’t just about having a great product; it’s about being ready to adapt.
Provide Exceptional Customer Service
Needi doesn’t just process orders—they build relationships with their clients. Their team personally follows up on purchases to ensure satisfaction and find opportunities for improvement. This hands-on approach helps turn first-time buyers into repeat customers. Even in ecommerce, human touchpoints can make a business stand out. Great service isn’t just an add-on—it’s a growth strategy.
eCommerce Book Top Tip
eCommerce Traffic Top Tip
- In-person events and PR
Tool Top Tip
- Hire a virtual assistant. Louise found that having a VA significantly improved efficiency, saved money, and streamlined collaboration within her team.
Carbon Top Tip
- Source locally. Prioritize matching customers with merchants nearby to reduce shipping distances and lower carbon emissions.
- Eliminate wasteful gifting. Focus on high-quality, thoughtful gifts that people will actually use, preventing them from ending up in landfill.
Interview links
- Check out needi
- For businesses looking to sell their products/services into corporates, email Jose Acacia acacia.jose@needi.co.uk
- For companies looking for help with gifts or branded merch, get in touch with Steph at steph@needi.co.uk
- Louise on LinkedIn
Related Episodes
- How TA-DAAN Blends Content and Commerce for Artisanal Growth & Success (episode 488)
- Scaling Smarter: How GiftsOnline4U is Transforming the Gift Business with Asgar Dungarwalla (episode 513)
- How to Launch a New Product Range: Lessons from Beards & Daisies with Joy Young (episode 522)
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