Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorna Cheatham.
Lorna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Clera’s Creative Gifts began with a simple search that turned into a bigger purpose. When my son asked me to help him find African American-themed gift wrap for a friend’s baby shower, I visited several stores but couldn’t find anything that represented us.
That experience inspired me to create my own. I started designing culturally inspired wrapping paper after recognizing a gap in the retail market. As customers discovered our products, many began asking for gift bags, which led us to expand our product line.
Today, Clera’s Creative Gifts offers gift wrap and gift bags for birthdays, Christmas, Kwanzaa, graduations, weddings, Mother’s and Father’s Day, baby showers, and other special occasions.
What started as a personal need has grown into a brand with a purpose: to make sure people can one day soon walk into a store and find beautiful gift products that celebrate their culture and reflect the people they love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building Clera’s Creative Gifts has been a journey filled with both challenges and determination. One of my greatest challenges has been financing the business. I believed so strongly in my vision that I invested a significant portion of my personal savings to bring my products to life and keep the business moving forward.
Another major challenge has been marketing. I know there is a need for culturally representative gift products, but reaching a larger audience requires resources, exposure, and a strong marketing strategy.
Despite these challenges, I have never given up on my vision. I believe that meaningful success often requires sacrifice, persistence, and the courage to keep going when the road gets difficult. Receiving grant funding would allow me to strengthen our marketing efforts, increase brand awareness, expand our reach, and continue growing Clera’s Creative Gifts without relying so heavily on personal funds. Most importantly, it would bring us closer to building a sustainable business that can create opportunities and make a positive impact in our community.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an entrepreneur, community advocate, and founder of Clera’s Creative Gifts. I am also the CEO of Citizens Alternative Residential Services, Inc., where I have dedicated my career to providing residential services and support for individuals with disabilities. I also operate a senior day care center. My commitment to serving others and strengthening my community earned me a proclamation from the Detroit City Council for outstanding community service. While being extremely proud of my work helping others, creating Clera’s Creative Gifts has become one of my greatest accomplishments—turning a personal idea into a brand that celebrates culture, representation, and life’s special moments.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5 to 10 years, I see Clera’s Creative Gifts becoming a nationally recognized brand known for culturally representative gift wrap, gift bags, and other celebration products. I would love to see our products on the shelves of major retailers across the country, making it easier for customers to walk into a store and find products that represent them and their families.
I also see us expanding our product line into greeting cards and other celebration products while continuing to listen to what our customers want.
One of my biggest long-term goals is to bring more of our manufacturing to Detroit and create jobs for people in underserved communities, including individuals who may need a second chance. I want Clera’s Creative Gifts to be more than a successful business. I want it to become a company that creates opportunities, gives back to the community, and leaves a legacy that my family and community can be proud of.
Pricing:
- Price Range is $5.00 to $7.50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clerasconnect.com
- Instagram: @clerascreativegifts
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/clerascreativegifts
