Hi, I am Karl: the heart and hands behind Make It Personal Gift Co.
I am a proud dad to four amazing kids. We first welcomed them into our home through foster care, and now they are officially part of our forever family. From my 17 year old daughter down to our sassy 2 year old girl, life is full, loud, and beautiful.
Being a father is what drives me. My 12 year old son navigates life with autism, ADHD, and a mild intellectual disability. Our weeks are filled with speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counselling. I have always been a hands on dad, and running this business gives me the flexibility to be there for my family. If I am not in a therapy waiting room, you will usually find me designing your gifts with my laptop open at soccer training or dance classes.
While our family life is anchored in the beautiful coastal town of North Avoca, all the magic happens in my dedicated workshop in West Gosford on the Central Coast, where every piece is created with love and intense care.
Before stepping back to be a more present dad, I worked in the fast paced world of retail as a National Merchandising Manager. When I transitioned my focus to my family, I needed a creative outlet that was truly mine. I wanted to build something meaningful that also changed how gifting was done, stepping away from disposable packaging to create eco friendly, reusable pieces.
But the true inspiration for this business goes much deeper. As a child, I lost my mum. One of the few belongings I have of hers is a key she was given for her 18th birthday. That key taught me a profound lesson: a physical keepsake can hold a person's story and a lifetime of memories. That is exactly why I started Make It Personal Gift Co. I want to help you celebrate your milestones with gifts that truly mean something.
In November 2024, I was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. It left me with facial paralysis on the left side of my face, which is why you will rarely see me in front of the camera. It was a terrifying moment, but it gave me incredible perspective. It taught me that we have to enjoy every single moment and that family is everything.
In February 2026, at the age of 44, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Suddenly, my whole life made sense. My ADHD is actually my superpower in this business. It gives me the ability to hyper focus on your orders, ensuring every millimetre of a design and every single name is checked and perfected before it leaves the workshop.
This business is my happy place. Thank you for being here and supporting a local Australian family business built on resilience, genuine connection, and handmade care.
Karl
Founder, Maker, Dad
