It all began with a quest for the perfect blanket, a gift embodying warmth and affection. For college friends Kat McPeek, Darcie Cohn, and Nikki Lapidus, the rollercoaster of 2020 prompted introspection into how they spent their time and a collective desire to craft something meaningful together.
Founders of East Third Collective (from L to R): Nikki Lapidus, Kat McPeek, Darcie Cohn
Photo courtesy of East Third Collective
The Genesis of East Third Collective
The cumbersome process of navigating vendor sites, personalizing gift wrap, and orchestrating a symphony of mail deliveries sparked a question: How could they support small businesses while offering an authentic online shopping experience? They started talking about sending gifts and how searching for that perfect thing was such a cumbersome task. They began asking lots of questions. How can they make gifting as fun (and easy!) of a process as the gifts themselves? How can they support small businesses that make great things? How can they create a small-shop experience in an online world?
“We found ourselves shopping multiple vendor sites, shipping to ourselves, and then mailing the collected gifts to the recipient. That translated into a lot of extra hassle and a lot of needless mail deliveries to send a thoughtful gift,” says Kat. “We knew we could make this process better. What if we took all those great vendors and put them on one site so that people could build great gifts themselves? And with that, many steps later, East Third Collective was created.”
Nikki adds, “It is exciting to find makers with inspiring stories who make really fantastic things. We love that we get to tell their stories and highlight this community of makers who are putting good into the world. “
During the height of the global upheaval, Nikki, Darcie, and Kat transformed their musings into reality and went into business together. East Third Collective emerged as a tribute to their collegiate beginnings at Indiana University and a testament to their enduring friendship.
A Curated Haven for Every Occasion
Designed as an online gifting marketplace, East Third Collective beckons with a curated assortment that spans from home and kitchen to bath and beauty, from baby and child to accessories. It’s a haven where everyone can unearth a meaningful gift for that special someone.
Speaking about what shoppers can experience on the site, Darcie says, “At the core of our business, we believe meaningful gifting matters. We stock our site with products that have great stories, and we work hard to find the balance of having choices but not too many choices. To us, gifts that are mindfully chosen and meaningfully made make the best gifts.
In addition, we deliberately set out to build a marketplace — a shop filled with great makers that allowed our customers to shop the site and build their own gifts. We’ve always believed that you know your person best, so we take a less formulaic approach and love the fact that almost no two orders are alike.”
Embodying the ethos of women-owned empowerment, East Third Collective is more than a shop; it’s a gifting business with a mission. The trio believes that meaningful gifting matters, both what you gift and how you gift, and their online store showcases products with compelling narratives. The collection is meticulously balanced, featuring items from small, women-, and BIPOC-owned businesses, as well as sustainable companies and socially conscious entities.
On the vendors East Third Collective partners with, Kat shares, “We love that our makers are on a mission. Whether it’s by giving back to their communities or caring for our planet, hiring people in recovery or with disabilities, or finding their own way to put good into the world, our makers inspire us every day. We firmly believe that by filling our site with makers who are also small businesses, we create good for everyone.”
Crafting Connections Through Corporate Gifting
East Third Collective specializes in corporate gifting that transcends the ordinary with a bespoke service called ETC Consulting. Instead of generic branded swag, they offer thoughtfully curated gifts that resonate, forging meaningful connections between companies and their employees, clients, or prospects. The founders collaborate directly with each client to create unique gifts that narrate a business’s story or applaud employees for their exceptional efforts.
Blending Friendship with Business Expertise:
Rooted in a friendship forged at Indiana University, East Third Collective embodies the founders’ lifelong goal of working together and creating something of substance. It stands as a testament to their commitment to simplifying and elevating the act of giving.
When asked about what it’s like to blend business and friendship, Nikki says, “This business began by us texting each other for gift recommendations, and, true to that ethos, we hope to be your trusted friend’s recommendations. Our number one goal at ETC is to provide great gift ideas from great companies for our customers.”
Darcie adds, “Most days, it is incredible to get to work with your besties, and we’ve even included a reference to our friendship in our company’s operating agreement. We strive to run the business through open communication and honesty and pledge that friendship will always come first.”
Through a curated selection of thoughtful items, Nikki, Darcie, and Kat infuse stories into each gift. Their dedication to championing women, supporting small businesses, and upholding values that make a difference positions East Third Collective as a sanctuary for those seeking intentional and purposeful gifts. In the delicate art of giving, they seamlessly weave connections, transforming each present into a chapter in a meaningful story.