WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

Aixa Haskins turned heartbreak and pain into a passion to comfort others. “I had a coworker who lost a child, so I decided to put together a gift of comfort.” Haskins created a beautiful gift for her grieving co-worker. “It grew from there, based on the comfort it gave her from receiving that gift.”

The mother of two decided she wanted to spread the feeling of joy and comfort throughout the Triad. In 2017, Aixa Haskins started Aixa Maria’s Gift Baskets. “We provide our customers with beautiful, custom and pre-arranged made gift baskets that will fit their style, budget, needs and any occasion,” said Aixa. The products at Aixa Maria’s Gift Baskets are all natural.

What sets Aixa Maria’s Gift Baskets apart from the competition? “We have lots of local items, from over 40 vendors, artisans and crafters in our store, in addition to my gift baskets and other products. So we have a wide variety of unique items to choose from.” 

It speaks volumes when an entrepreneur, along with their family and friends, use their product. “Some of my favorites are the spa products. I use the sugar scrub to do my own manicure and pedicure. It’s a more affordable way, and it keeps your feet and hands nice and soft. My husband loves to hang out in his man cave, so I put all of his favorite snacks and candy in his gift basket. He loves Reeses Pieces.” 

Her husband Deneal Haskins is also a big fan of the sugar scrub. “He’s bald like you, so I also packed a few razors in his gift basket, along with the sugar scrub. After he shaves, it takes away the dead skin and keeps his head nice and smooth. He encouraged me to quit my full-time job and step on faith to start my own business,” said the wife of seven years. Her beautiful smile lit up the room. It warms my heart when I see married couples light up when speaking about their spouse. That’s what love will do!

This Sunday, May 14, is Mother’s Day. I asked Aixa about her specials and what fun goodies are in the Mother’s Day gift baskets. “Beautiful custom made floral arrangements, candles, bath balms, face masks, body washes, and other spa products. Women love chocolates, so we do sweet treats as well. Mothers will love our large chocolate lover’s gift basket. We’ll customize the gift baskets perfectly to fit your personal taste. We have custom allergen-free baskets as well,” said Aixa. 

This week you can take advantage of some awesome sales. “We also have clothing, which is 20% off this week, as we celebrate Mother’s Day. Our jewelry is buy one and get one half off. We have fresh fruit baskets, local treats baskets, and movie night gift baskets, with DVDs and all of the movie theater treats and snacks,” said the CEO and owner.

If you’re having a Mother’s Day cookout, stop by Aixa Maria’s Gift Baskets this week and support some of the local vendors. Spice up your food with some Jammin’ Sauce, Uncle Eddie’s BBQ Sauce, or sweeten things up with some of Carol Anne Nursey’s Pure Wildflower honey. If you decorate, they have latex balloons. It’s more than just gift baskets; it’s a one stop shop. “We put the budget in our customer’s hands, and we’ll make it happen. We have gifts from $10, to $1,000,” said Aixa.

Aixa Haskins again turned the pain into passion for a more intimate and personal reason. “My mother passed away in 2009 and my grandmother passed in 2018. Both had Lupus. So, the Lupus Foundation of America is very near and dear to my heart. May is Lupus Awareness Month, so during this month each year, 20% of my sales go to the Lupus Foundation of America. I also host craft markets, and one of them is the Lupus Fundraiser, so 100% of the funds go to the Foundation,” she said. 

The Chronicle’s Business of the Month is Aixa Maria’s Gift Baskets. “The world needs dreamers and doers. We need dreams that do. Everything happens for a reason.” For info, call 336-251-5899, send them an email at amgiftbasket!@gmail.com or visit AixaMariasGiftBaskets.