A former Tyneside teacher who launched a gifting business from his bedroom in lockdown is aiming for a national roll out, after winning a series of significant contracts.
Sam Black launched Coastal Hampers in November 2020, after work as a primary school supply teacher began to dry up in the second lockdown, leaving him worried he wouldn’t be able to pay his bills. After speaking to local businesses he struck upon the idea of creating all-year-round gift hampers, which could in turn showcase products from small firms across the North East.
Within weeks he’d sold scores of hampers, all while juggling his teaching career, but in October 2021 he took a leap of faith and quit his job to focus all his energy on Coastal Hampers. Now, the company has its own premises, a small but growing team of staff, a list of companies whose gifts are included in the popular hampers, and big ambitions for the future.
