By Shayna Mace
When Jerina Vincent decided to enter the world of retail, she didn’t have any experience in it. In fact, she had an MBA and years of experience as an IT recruiter for various companies. After moving to Madison from India, Vincent wanted to change industries and become her own boss.
“I grew up in a business family, so I always wanted to start a business, but I didn’t have any [business] background in America. I love gifting — that’s my [way] of showing love. So I thought, ‘Why don’t I open a gift shop in Verona, where there were no gift shops?’”
Eight years ago, Vincent started JNJ Gifts and More along with her husband, Julius, and her daughter, Natania (shown in photo), and opened her retail space. Originally, her shop sold wares from small artisans from across the country.
In 2022, she pivoted her business model to focus on curated gift boxes. Now at her Verona retail space, shoppers can peruse individual artisan wares that are included in her gift boxes. Vincent is discriminating about what she selects to carry, and 80% of the companies she works with are woman-owned — such as Madison Chocolate Company and The Deliciouser.
“Our products are 100% sourced from small businesses across America, ensuring each gift tells the story. When I’m sourcing a product, the main thing I look for is that it’s handmade or made in a small batch. If it’s a food or spa item, I always test it [before I carry it],” she explains. “The motto of my company is ‘gifting happiness,’ so valuing that client relationship is what motivates me.”
200 E. Verona Ave., Verona, jnjgiftsandmore.com
