Williamson’s cliental eventually grew to include the Holiday Inn in downtown Chicago, where she services the hotel’s priority members with 750 luxury baskets of consumable foods every month. Holidays are her busiest time of year as she markets her baskets from $20 to $300 each.

Ivy Tech marketing Assistant Professor Trina Lynch-Jackson also played an important role in Williamson’s success. Williamson credits Jackson for giving her business advice and linking her with prospective clients. Jackson’s networking advice soon paid off for Williamson as it landed her most recent client, Robert Northington.

Robert Northington is the owner and operator of A Token of Friendship Tea House in Chesterton, Indiana where her line of baskets can now be found. “I was always looking for an added way to market my teas and gourmet foods, so Baskets Galore was the perfect marriage for my tea house because now they are artfully and professionally displayed,” said Northington.

Williamson says she used to naively limit herself to only holiday sales, but Jackson showed her how to market her business all year-round. “Our goal is to inspire, nurture and assist Mrs. Williamson in networking with businesses to develop a niche in the gift basket market” said Jackson, “Mrs. Williamson is making us very proud.”

Married with three sons, Williamson who has worked for H&R Block for 15 years as a tax professional and instructor will graduate Ivy Tech Northwest in May 2006.