Our story

The Sisters behind ‘The Duo’

As these things tend to do, the concept of The Duo started as discussions the Matakana based sisters would often have on their commute into Auckland city.

The idea became a reality in March 2020 when Covid first hit. Covid was a real awakening time for us, it gave us time to think and gain some perspective back, instead of just rushing from one part of life to the next we both realised we needed balance back in our lives.

I remember quite clearly, in week 3 of the first lock down I felt this overwhelming sadness as the realisation set in I was missing so much of bringing our young family up. We had a wonderful nanny who seamlessly kept life together up North, meanwhile both Lyds and I were working everyday in the city in big jobs that required a lot from us. 

We began refining the business idea, we worked closely with an analyst to help us research and crunch data, and we leant on personal mentors and advisers to help shape the concept further. It was more than a year of working big days in the city then coming home and working through the night to bring us to this point. The notion that ‘if this was easy, everyone would be doing it’ kept us going, it was a good leveller.

There were a few principles we cared deeply about and these were the driving force behind The Duo. 

We wanted to provide the New Zealand market with quality, luxury products and gifts that supported and promoted the makers, their values and the stories behind their craft. 

The stories piece is key, the more we spoke to the amazing creators we work with, the more we realised how much passion and commitment went into their craft - we wanted to be a platform for helping deliver these stories to the consumer. 

We’re both perfectionists so it was incredibly important to us we had a business that delivered on a need to provide exceptional and bespoke customer experiences - every day. Our offering had to be about making people’s lives easier. We both knew how time consuming, especially in the corporate world, the Client and staff gifting process is, but also how important it is for building and maintaining working relationships.

So here we are today, a luxury digital gifting platform that caters for all corporate gifting requirements (loyalty and acquisition programmes, staff and client gifting) but also a place anyone can come to find those perfect gifts for the moments that matter (weddings, births, graduations, birthdays).

We appreciate your support.

Lydia and Jess Xx

HOMEGROWN
LUXURY PRODUCTS

SUPPORTING LOCAL
Makers

SUSTAINABLE
GIFTING

PROUDLY KIWI
OWNED

What is The Duo?

The Duo is a luxury digital gifting platform set up to accommodate both the corporate community and retail consumers.

The Duo is all about delivering on a need to provide the New Zealand market with quality, luxury products & gifts that support and promote the makers, their values and the stories behind their craft.

The Duo caters for one off gifts, management of loyalty and incentive programmes, staff Christmas gifting, client gifting, wedding gifts and celebrating those moments that matter.

Nothing about The Duo feels mass or over produced, it’s the opposite actually. The intention is that each gift feels hand picked and expertly curated for the individual – it’s about feeling valued.

Clients can create their own bespoke branded packaging and we do the rest so that gifts arrive looking exquisite.

TESTIMONIALS

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

The Duo were outstanding for Saatchi & Saatchi creating, curating and distributing our 2021 Christmas gifts. Their taste is best in market, their systems are slick, and their service is unbeatable. We’re now looking to partner across a range of experiences and projects. Thanks Duo. World Class.
Mark Cochrane CEO Saatchi & Saatchi NZ
I have several times asked Jessie and Lydia to select gifts for special people and occasions. They nailed it each time and delighted the recipients. Very skilled at connecting gifts and the person and the highest quality items of which I knew few. Biased I am through connections but The Duo is an exceptional gift business run by talented sisters.
Hon Nicholas Davidson QC
I absolutely LOVE The Duo. There is such an amazing selection of beautifully curated gifts that are perfectly matched to suit all of my clients needs. The packaging is stunning and I have received so many lovely messages from all my buyers and sellers who have received the gifts. The girls are super efficient and the gifts are out with the courier instantly after ordering. Thank you so much for creating such a beautiful product that definitely makes my life so much easier.
Becs Button - Ray White
I fell in love with my gorgeous gift package from The Duo! Hands down the cutest bespoke gift box I have ever received! So unique and top quality, I loved every little surprise and it made me feel super special! I would definitely recommend using them as whoever you are wanting to send a gift to is guaranteed to love you for it!
Saiesha Pillay - Barfoot & Thompson
This year I just didn’t have the time to organise all our employee gifting so I briefed the team at The Duo, they have done an incredible job, the selection of gifts is so chic, they prepared a presentation so everything I had to choose from was within budget and the packaging is beautiful. The whole process was easy and I can’t wait to give my team their gifts this year!! Thanks girls, such a great business.
Angela Lewis - Top Dogs Day Stay