EDINA, Minn. — Step by step, Minnesota-native Rachel Silberman carefully crafts an image onto a mug at this workspace inside her Edina home.
"Two years ago, that I started my business and it flourished from there," she said.
Inspired by monthly subscription boxes, Silberman decided to start her own unique take on the idea with locally sourced and customized gift boxes, catering to all communities and orientations.
“I wanted to do subscription boxes and that fell through so I ended up doing subscription boxes on demand," she said.
Rachel started her business over two years ago when she searched online for asexual gift boxes and her search produced limited results. "There was nothing for my orientation, so I said this is a niche that needs to be filled.”
Silberman says as someone who is a part of the LGBTQIA + community, her boxes provide support to those who may face struggles or those who have recently come out.
“I made 12 orientation boxes — a coming out box," she said. “I make PRIDE baskets as well for any orientation, so that makes me unique.”
Silberman says although her company, Luxjoy & Comfort, was founded in 2019 — just one year before the start of the pandemic — her business has flourished.
"The pandemic did amazing, because everyone wanted to shop local," she said.
While Silberman specializes in gifts of all kinds for everyone — from spa baskets, to tea and novels, and holiday bundles.
“I’m a one-woman band," she said.
She’s opening the doors for representation, inspiring others to take the leap and follow their hearts. "Take the steps," she said. "It's a scary thing, but worth it in the end.”
To find out more about Luxjoy and Comfort, visit the website here.