I started Yonnie's Gift Baskets in 1999 to prepare for leaving a 3-decade career in the Federal Government. At that time, I knew two things: (1) I did not want to work for another employer and (2) I did not want to work in the field of finance.

I wanted to do something creative that would bring joy to me and others. But, what should I choose to do? I really had no idea. At the time, I was sort of a magazine nut and had several subscriptions. One in particular called Extra Income focused on ideas that people had for starting their own businesses. It also contained many articles and one featuring start up costs and details for gift basket businesses.

I quickly realized that this idea would meet my two main goals of being my own business owner and perhaps bringing joy to me and others. Of course, after my long career in another field and raising three great children, I didn't think I had an ounce of creativity left. I noticed an ad in our local high school adult evening class booklet to learn how to design gift baskets. So, off I went, with my sister in tow. She was already retired and looking to help in my endeavor.

Yonnie's officially opened for business in May 1999 located in a small town in southern New Jersey, just south of Philadelphia, PA. We became an internet e-commerce site in November of 1999.

We ship our gift baskets coast to coast in addition to our local customer base and also offer flowers online. Yonnie's is a family owned and operated business with particular focus on quality content and just the right presentation for our customers. We do not mass produce and each basket is specially prepared as each order is received.

This business has been a great departure from my lifetime career and has brought much joy. I have met many wonderful people operating small businesses and home based businesses on the internet one of which is QFLEA.com, one of the best.

See Yonnie's Gift Baskets at http://www.basketsbyyonnie.com