Meet Carmen Estep | Creative Director/Owner of Crate Forty Eight

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carmen Estep and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carmen, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I am an early riser (like 3:50am early) and the first thing I do every morning without fail is make my bed. I believe an action as simple as making my bed gives me a sense of accomplishment right from the start and sets me up for success the rest of the day.

Waking up before the sun rises enables me to optimize my day. It allows me the opportunity to go to the gym and dedicate time to myself before pouring myself into others. I truly believe that this simple habit has instilled discipline, self-care, and allowed me to prioritize my health so that I am able to give my very best to the people I love, and to me, that is the definition of success.

What should our readers know about your business?
Crate Forty Eight is a curated gift company that specializes in making someone feel known, loved and seen. Whether you are in need of celebrating a loved one’s new house, a coworker’s birthday, or you are focusing on client retention within your own business, you can make a thoughtful statement with our gifts.

Each of our pieces are intentionally sourced and feature goods made by local artisans in Arizona (hence the name, Crate Forty Eight). Coming from a small town that thrived on local establishments and support of the community, my focus has always been to prioritize Arizona small businesses. It brings me great joy to give back to the community that loves us so well while simultaneously assisting my clients with intentional gift giving.

Crate Forty Eight has had its fair share of challenges. Shortly after I launched my company, I was in a car accident that left my vehicle totaled. Although it made deliveries to my clients more difficult, I knew it was simply an obstacle I would have to overcome in order to provide my best for them. This lesson taught me that like many things in life, the best things are worth fighting for and you are more resilient than you think.

From the very beginning, I wanted Crate Forty Eight to be a direct reflection of who I am, my values and my morals. Surprisingly, gifts are not my love language and I knew my company had to be so much more than just tangible items. I am a firm believer in intentionality, listening to someone well enough for them to feel heard, giving graciously without expectation. My brand was created to allow my clients the opportunity to show others that they are seen, they are special and they are abundantly loved!

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.
I love Arizona for many reasons, so narrowing down places to go, food to eat and things to do can be so tough when friends are in town!

I am a lover of coffee shops and would highly recommend a yummy cup from Provisions, Cartel, Mythical or Peixoto. After that, a trip to the Downtown Gilbert Farmers Market would be on the agenda! They have the best local vendors, food trucks and an incredible atmosphere. Walking up and down the streets of Downtown Gilbert is one of my favorite, simple activities to do.

The Phoenix food scene is unreal and it makes choosing where to eat so challenging sometimes! Some of my very favorite places include Vecina or Steak 44 (when I’m feeling fancy), Little Miss BBQ (try the brisket!), Original Pancake House (the egg white chicken tinga is my favorite) or Luci’s at the Orchard if you are looking for a great outdoor space to enjoy brunch. If you’ve left room for dessert, Whysked Bakery has the best sweet treats I have ever had!

I love to be active and one of my very favorite hobbies is hiking. Anyone who comes to visit me knows to bring their hiking boots because we will definitely be hiking Peralta Trail or Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon.

I am such a simple girl that truly loves being in the company of my best friends and nature. An ideal day for me would be a trip to Trader Joe’s, picking out the best cheeses, crackers and snacks for a charcuterie board, a bottle of wine and taking a blanket to Lost Dutchman State Park for a sunset picnic.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Accomplishments in my life would truly mean nothing without the people who helped me achieve them. I am incredibly grateful that I can attribute where I am to the generosity, kindness and assistance of so many beautiful people. If you are a part of my life, just know that your willingness to always show up for me has never gone unnoticed and is appreciated beyond measure.

With that said, the one woman that I owe much of my success to is my sister, Christina. She is the kind of person who will surprise you with your favorite coffee after a long night of work and who will always encourage you to dream bigger because she believes in you. Her unwavering work ethic, resilient spirit and love for life has inspired me ever since we were little girls. I am incredibly grateful to survive life’s hardest trials with her as well as celebrate our biggest wins.

Website: https://cratefortyeight.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cratefortyeight/