Best Wishes Gifts has offered artisan-type gifts to the Kingwood area for more than 10 years and has thrived by building personal relationships with customers, owner Dana Koslovsky said.

Koslovsky said she was working for another retailer near the Galleria in Houston when she decided to open her own shop. She worked in the gifts business for eight years before deciding to open her own business in Oct. 2007.

“Being here 10 years, we have really connected with so many people and watched their kids grow up from being in kindergarten to driving,” Koslovsky said.

Best Wishes carries a variety of handmade items, including jewelry, crosses, pottery, candles, soaps, lotions and holiday decorations. Many products are made locally.

The store also carries many gifts that cannot be found on the internet, and each purchase also comes with a complimentary gift bag and tissue paper, eliminating some of the hassles of gift presentation.

Koslovsky said in 2018 she plans to expand her business into online sales as well as find other artisans whose items she can begin offering.

Although Koslovsky said that she finds it difficult to compete with online retailers, she understands why many consumers shop that way to save time or effort. However, she said many of her customers like to interact face-to-face with the business owner.

“I have a good foundation,” Koslovsky said. “I have customers that have supported me the full 10 years. It’s been a wonderful journey.”

While Koslovsky operates the approximately 1,000-square-foot store by herself most days, she does have one employee. On occasion, her husband or adult children help out as well. Koslovsky said she appreciates running her own business.

“[I enjoy] being able to make all the decisions and be my own boss and not having to answer to anybody,” she said.