A budding Bermudian entrepreneur has turned her hobby and love of making gifts and crafts into a thriving and successful business.

Allison Hollis, who originally started A Favor from Allison in the US in 1995, has since returned to Bermuda and re-launched the enterprise 13 years later.

Her business covers everything from weddings to retirement parties and special events, with presents ranging from wedding favours and gift baskets to candy stations.

Ms Hollis came up with the idea starting up her own venture because of her passion for designing creative wedding favours, creating the favours out of her home and displaying the samples at Bridal and Tuxedo, a bridal store in Wilmington, Delaware.

She soon moved into party favours and corporate gifts, before diversifying into gift bags and wrapping. The business ran for one year and four years after coming back to the Island, Ms Hollis exhibited at Anthony's Bridal Fair and the company has been growing ever since.

"It all started just as a hobby," she said.

"I am a crafter and like making gifts for the family, and my sister likes planning weddings, so I decided to start doing wedding favours when I was living in Delaware in 1995.

"Last year I decided I wanted to do something part-time and I just re-started what I had first started."

Despite the economic downturn, business has been good for Ms Collis, with a number of clients signing up for her services, particularly in the destination weddings market.

"It is blossoming now because a lot of Bermudians get married later in the year, with many October weddings planned," she said.

Ms Hollis, who prides herself on her personal touch customised to meet the clients' needs and style, as well as the theme of the event, said having your own artistic licence is one of the best parts of the job.

"The creative part of the job is my favourite, including researching, putting together samples and the finished products, while customer satisfaction is of course key — I always ask for feedback from my clients," she said.

"I enjoy the flexibility of being able to get things done when I need to do them, bearing in mind there are always deadlines — you just have to be focused and disciplined to get the job done to the best of your ability and to meet the customer's needs."

And Ms Hollis, who has an impressive business background, having worked in corporate banking and accounts payable and receivable — skills she has been able to apply to her own enterprise in terms of bookkeeping and cash flow management, reckons that although there are a number of wedding planners operating in Bermuda, she has found a niche in the market for customer favours.

The service works by customers contacting Ms Hollis, meeting up to discuss ideas and then reviewing samples before receiving the final product for their function or event.

Among the services on offer are customisation and personalised favours, theme-specific gift bags to fit the event and occasion, candy stations, corporate gift wrapping and delivery to honour employees, and corporate incentive items as giveaways at corporate events and functions, while stressed out brides and party hosts need worry no longer with the favour assembly service.

Ms Hollis also has an interactive website designed by eMedia with a gallery of items and services available as examples for potential clients of what they can use for their event, but mainly she has been picking up business through word of mouth, putting up flyers and handing out her business cards, with one customer seeing her services advertised on a law firm bulletin board.

Best sellers at the moment include iced and decorated cookies. However Ms Hollis said every favour is unique, depending on what an individual wants to give to their guests as a parting gift, from candy to shark oil.

One of the biggest differences between running the business in Bermuda and the US are the resources at your disposal, with the need to be a bit more creative when it comes to sourcing goods on the Island, striking up a good relationship with local vendors and developing strong ties with suppliers in America, according to Ms Hollis.

In the future, she intends to branch out into wedding planning after completing several courses, based on demand for her services.

"It was just a part-time job that I enjoyed doing at the weekends and after hours, but it has worked out well and people seem to have a need for it," she said.

"I would say to any budding Bermudian entrepreneurs out there looking to start up their own business just to keep your goal and view and work as hard as you can towards it."

To find out more about A Favor From Allison contact 737-0024, email afavorfromallison@yahoo.com or visit the website at www.afavorfromallison.com