The parting gift is, perhaps, one of the most enduring forms of gratitude across any industry. We’ve become all too familiar with the tribulations surrounding the real estate market today, but what many of us are unaware of are the delicate protocols that give this business its momentum and something to marvel time and time again. One such formality is the closing gift, presented to a new homeowner by their agent as a final ‘thank you’ after crossing the threshold. RealBOKS Gifts, the Kentucky-based purveyor of fine goodies and gabs, has perfected this practice with their thought-provoking arrangements and artisanal keepsakes, redefining the essence of gift-giving in one powerful sweep. A tradition to be treasured, RealBOKS brings elevated craftsmanship to their work to remind us the importance of going the extra mile, and how strong relationships extend well beyond the dotted line.
Officially introduced in 2020, RealBOKS is the passion project of Shauna Morrissey and Joe Potier, two west coast artists who collectively amass decades-worth of creative authority in their trades. Morrissey is a multifaceted visual artist who works wonders with her hands, having owned a studio furniture company from 2000-2008 where she painted and crafted liveable pieces from scratch. Following the recession, Morrissey then procured thousands of vibrant pet portraits through Barking Art Studios, blending her love of animals and painting. Throughout her adult life, Morrissey also worked closely with horses, purchasing a boarding stable in 2016 lovingly known as Corterra Farms. It wasn’t until 2019 when a change in scenery was in the works, as Morrissey and Potier embarked on a new chapter into rural Kentucky. Potier is a wizard with iron works, owning and operating a successful iron hanging company in the Northwest region for years. His expertise runs deep in ornamental fencing, welding, creative iron manipulation, and innovative approaches to construction work, and this paired well with Morrissey’s background in emotive art. In 2019, the pair relocated to Central Kentucky and established their farmstead with five horses, four dogs, and a showstopping barnhouse that serves as their studio space for RealBOKS.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of RealBOKS is their homegrown authenticity, born from two creatives who serve their communities through labors of love. Morrissey has dabbled in real estate herself, having sold five properties in three years and building substantial relationships with clients of her own, both in property and artistry. The duo noticed a need in streamlining the gifting process for agents and set out to turn their provincial Kentucky home into a workspace that united their creative cravings. The company’s website frequently updates “The Marketplace” with top-shelf provisions for new homeowners and curates custom boxes that can be filled with favorites of any scale. Their newest platform, RealBOKS Plus, speaks directly to real estate agents who want to up the ante on personal branding, as RealBOKS Plus offers a palette of personalization features so agents achieve consistency with their sales.
With all of RealBOKS efforts in simplifying the gifting process, there is so much that goes on behind the barn doors that
requires careful attention to detail and quality. Central Kentucky is rich with resources including rustic structures that date as far back as the Civil War, built from gorgeous indigenous wood. These structures are periodically scheduled for demolition offering the perfect resource for Morrissey and Potier’s crafting. In fact, some of RealBOKS’ one of a kind creations are made with pieces of wood from these barns when available, further supporting the company’s commitment to authenticity and pastoral charm. The team’s background in woodworking makes this special feature a product of passion.
RealBOKS Gifts is redefining the way we say ‘thank you’ by showing us the magnitude of projects with a purpose. Additionally, BOKS Plus is a useful tool for real estate agents and other sectors of business, in large part for its idyllic suite of handmade goods that make gift giving a surprisingly simple task. At the end of the day, it isn’t the simplicity that adds wings to these pretty things, but the ability to celebrate and appreciate major hallmarks while thinking outside the box.
