We had the good fortune of connecting with René Powers-Griebel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi René, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My daughter and her husband moved to Arizona in January 2020. I followed in April 2020 to be closer to them. This same daughter was having a birthday in May of 2020, and we were now on full lockdown from Covid, away from all of our friends and family, and nowhere to go to celebrate. So I did what mosts moms would, and thought of how I could make her birthday still feel special. Birthdays have always been very important to me. The day all of us is born is a big deal, and I believe it should be celebrated, BIG!

I sent gift boxes to our family filled with cocktail makings, charcuterie, party favors and a birthday treat, and we had a surprise online birthday party for my daughter, with our family! I did this again with other family and close friends for their birthdays, since we were now living so far apart (and sadly some of us were still on lockdown), and had everyone saying how much they loved it. I decided to start a new business in my new home of Arizona! Let’s Celebrate Virtually was started in late 2020/early 2021.

From the start, it was important to me to be as eco-friendly as I could be. As a part of that, I thought I should be buying as many products as possible from other small, eco-friendly local businesses to cut down on shipping and support the local economy. Spring of 2022, a new side of the business was born! -Let’s Celebrate Locally

Both businesses, as of April 2023, are now one; Let’s Celebrate Locally – Celebrating birthdays, and some amazing local brands from around Arizona that are in the various gift collections!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I’m doing now is new for me, but since giving & receiving gifts is my love language, I’m in the business that speaks to my soul and comes from my heart. There’s nothing better than the feeling of bringing joy to others! Everyone loves being thought of, celebrated, thanked or appreciated. My goal is to help send the joy, thanks, job well done for people-not because they don’t know how, but because you’re busy doing what you do best.

70% (I’m working to make it more) of the products I procure for current and custom made gift collections are from local, small, sustainable Arizona businesses. I fell in love with living here, and all the amazing brands and creators here. I wanted to share that love, appreciation and beautifully made items with others moving here, visiting here, or with anyone around the U.S., so they too can enjoy these thoughtfully curated gifts.

Striving to be as eco-friendly as possible, by using 100% recycled gift and shipping boxes printed with algae ink, ribbon made from recycled plastic or biodegradable material, compostable shred, cello bags and stickers, minimally packaged foods, reusable, recycled or recyclable products, as well as curating from other local, small eco-friendly businesses whenever possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hiking in Cave Creek, I fell in love with the trails at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area – there’s wildflowers, a creek, lots of green and mountain views in every direction. A visit to my favorite neighborhood dive (not so dive) bar the Rooster, after hiking.

Definitely going to the Desert Botanical Gardens, shopping small in both Phoenix & Old Town Scottsdale, and either after shopping or the gardens going to my fav patio for dining or having drinks is the Hermosa Inn.

You gotta make time for just laying by the pool and soaking up some sunshine, too!

When it comes to dining, there are so many great places in our area, but depending what my guests feel like, it’s gonna be The Vintage Arcadia or The Henry for brunch, The Mission, Buck & Rider or another neighborhood fav; Hush for dinner.

And if time allows a drive to Cornville for a little wine tasting on the way to a relaxing overnight stay and wind down in Sedona.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Tracy Battaglia, founder of Fully Alive Photography and Fully Alive Creative (and many more brands) deserves a lot of credit. She built my beautiful website, took amazing product photos, and even a few great shots of me (not an easy task). She connected me with great community leaders, and has been an all around cheerleader to me and my new small biz! And Jess Johnson for introducing me to Tracy!

Of course my family and friends, who’ve been my best customers and cheerleaders!

Website: https://letscelebratelocally.com

Instagram: @letscelebratelocally

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Letscelebratelocally

Other: It looks like I have a couple of other accounts to create-haha

Image Credits
Fully Alive Photography

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