Laurie Brown, founder and owner of Aunt Laurie’s (www.AuntLauries.com) has recently been certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB).

Aunt Laurie’s is a Bluffton-based national e-retailer committed to helping people with special needs by offering a unique collection of products and gifts made, assembled and/or packaged by individuals with disabilities. Aunt Laurie’s gift baskets and gift sets, which come in a number of different themes for all occasions, are hand-assembled by individuals with disabilities at the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Beaufort – giving workers the opportunity to learn job skills, and gain a sense of purpose, through Aunt Laurie’s. Their vision is to inspire others to acknowledge the human value in everyone. One gift at a time.

The United States Business Registration has certified that Aunt Laurie’s has successfully met the SBA’s standards as a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB Certification.) This certification affirms the business is woman-owned, operated, controlled and is verified. The SBA certification program creates significant contract opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The program is designed to help more women owned small businesses win federal contracts and thrive in a competitive business environment. It is also intended to help federal agencies meet contracting goals for women owned small businesses.

In addition to being packaged and assembled by local individuals with disabilities at the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Center, each Aunt Laurie’s gift basket or gift set contains an assortment of top quality gift products that have been hand-crafted, designed and/or made by organizations all around the country, many who employ individuals with disabilities. The gift baskets themselves are actually handmade the SCVR center as well.

Since launching Aunt Laurie's in March 2015 after a long career in the corporate world, Laurie has created a number of strategic relationships with organizations locally and nationwide employing those with disabilities, including Programs for Exceptional People, Extraordinary Ventures, Berry Towne Crafts, Coffee With a Cause, SMILE Biscotti, The Chocolate Spectrum, ScentsAbility, and Waggies by Maggie and Friends – all of which produce some of the products used in Aunt Laurie’s unique gift sets. Brown also supports many local non-profits such as Heroes on Horseback, Special Olympics, Palmetto Animal League, AFA Academy, and SOAR by offering special promotions and volunteering her time.

Aunt Laurie's gift baskets can be customized and personalized for all occasions. Themed gift baskets include all holidays, Lowcountry, just dogs, lavender lover.

[caption id="attachment_28844" align="aligncenter" width="480"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/BUSINESS-Woman-owned-buisness-1.jpeg" rel="attachment wp-att-28844"><img class="size-full wp-image-28844" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/BUSINESS-Woman-owned-buisness-1.jpeg" alt="Pictured is a baker of the dog biscuits. Photo courtesy of Waggie’s." width="480" height="640" /></a> Pictured is a baker of the dog biscuits. Photo courtesy of Waggie’s.[/caption]