A Few of My Favorite YPO Things: 2022

If you didn’t get all your holiday shopping done on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, check out these YPO member-owned (or founded or run) companies. There is something for everyone – even the hardest-to-shop for – on your list.

A personal favorite since meeting Katrina Markoff (YPO Gold Mid-America US at Large) on a Chicago culinary tour a decade ago is Vosges Haut-Chocolat. To hear Katrina tell her story about her proprietary chocolate blend with responsible and sustainable ingredients sourcing, means no mass-produced chocolate will satisfy your sweet tooth again. While the USD390 Ultimate Chocolate Gift Set might be out of the budget, five pieces of champagne truffles at USD20 would make you popular at the office grab bag. (Hint, hint, fellow Creative Services Elfsters.)

You can order from her extensive online store, but if you’re in the Chicago area, don’t pass up the chance to experience the Chocolate Temple Boutique. If you’re only stopping through my fine hometown, you can pick up Vosges’ most popular treats from her two bite-sized boutiques at O’Hare International Airport.

Who doesn’t love a charming bauble? Terri and Jerry Kohl (YPO Gold City of Angels, YPO Gold Los Angeles) founded Brighton Collectibles in 1991, hawking primarily belts. Their collection is now well known for its bracelet charms and has expanded to other jewelry, handbags, accessories and even footwear. My pick this year? With more people shedding their pajama pants for suits and commutes, Brighton’s badge clip collection can help take the sting out of having to flash your badge to get in and out of the office.

It’s not fine jewelry, but it’s hip – or so the kids tell me it’s today’s equivalent of hip – to stack your wrists with Pura Vida bracelets. Co-founded by Paul Goodman (YPO San Diego), buying Pura Vida’s colorful bracelets handcrafted by Costa Rican artisans, helps support artists, funds charities and promotes awareness of various causes, all while protecting our one-and-only hospitable planet. Its good work earned it the certified B Corporation moniker. This year I plan to add to my nieces’ (and my own) collection with their Autism Acceptance Pack.

Lambeau B.

For the adventure-seeking, outdoorsy friend on your list, consider shopping from another certified B Corporation, Cotopaxi. CEO Davis Smith’s (YPO Utah) mission is to alleviate global poverty while building his outdoor gear company. Of course, Cotopaxi’s products are also responsibly sourced and manufactured. 

While I’m not really an outdoor adventurer type, their ethically sourced Fuego down coat would keep me toasty when walking my Aussidoodle pup, Lambeau, in Chicago’s brutal winters. Check out the article Mary Mack wrote about Davis and Cotopaxi.

One thing busy families, empty nesters and socially active young adults have in common is looking for the answer to that tired question: What’s for dinner? Co-founder Matt Salzberg’s (YPO Metro New York) Blue Apron home-delivered meal kits provide solutions ranging from ready-to-cook, fast-and-easy, nutrition-focused to even dinner party-approved. And, in YPO style, Blue Apron is working to mend the food system in the U.S. by improving distribution and investing in the environment and communities.

Stuff a stocking with some – stockings. Your purchases of socks, t-shirts and underwear from certified B Corporation Bombas, allows Co-founder David Heath (YPO Manhattan) to give these most-requested items to people experiencing homelessness – 75 million items since its founding in 2013. I'm asking for these slippers because someone in my house keeps stealing mine, and the rubber bottoms mean I won't slip while running to fetch another stolen sock.

Finally, for that family member who is impossible to shop for – either because they already have everything they could want or are simply very choosy – there’s Steven Galanis' (YPO Chicago) Cameo. Pick a celebrity from any field – sports, comedy, acting, even business – give Cameo some basic information about the gift recipient, and that celebrity delivers a personalized video message, sometimes in as little as 24 hours. Prices range from less than USD25 to more than USD1,000. Earlier this year my boys and I got their dad a message from Green Bay Packer Greg Jennings for his birthday. The process was seamless and the results hilarious. 

Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year – I wish you peace and all that jazz into the new year.