Hi! I’m Amy Davis with CADEAU Dripping Springs
Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in the area?
Grew up in Lubbock, moved to Austin in 2005 to attend UT, transplanted to Dripping Springs in 2018 with my husband and 2 kids.
Tell us about your business. Share as little or as much as you would like. This is your space to share with the community.
C A D E A U (the French word for gift) is a one stop shop for personalized gift curations for any occasion. We feature local products in every package and are always looking to connect with new makers and small businesses with a purpose. Our intent for every gift is to be intentional + useful + personal to create moments of shared gratitude; gifts that are made, given, and received with love.
In addition to personalization + curating, we hand pour our own line of candles that are safe + clean for your homes and lungs. After a long road of asthma, respiratory illnesses, and multiple hospitalizations for both of our kids from infancy on, I set out on a mission to create a candle that we could safely burn in our own home without the risk of airway reactions and illness caused by toxic ingredients in other fragrance brands. C A D E A U candles were born, and we haven’t looked back.
What brought you to open your business? What did you do previously?
My love for gifting + my yearning for flexibility and presence with my family led me to leave my career in Operations and take the leap of faith to do what brings me joy.
When did the idea of creating your business start? How long have you been in business? What was your inspiration to start?
You know that moment when you see something that reminds you of a specific person and that feeling you share when you give it them? That feeling was the spark of C A D E A U. I have always loved giving gifts that actually MEAN something to the people I love. The stuff that can be used and enjoyed and felt, not just the things that everyone has.
The local element came from my desire to support all the other hustlers in this area who are making incredible products and juggling all the things. The definition of community is “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.” Our community is something special, and my hope with C A D E A U is to keep that fellowship close, strong, and ever evolving.
I started C A D E A U in May 2022, just before my oldest’s first summer after kindergarten. The juggle to be a mom, a wife, an employee, and an hourly shuttle to and from summer camps for the first time ever was too much. Practically overnight, I launched a business, became a stay-at-home mom of 2, and started making candles a few months later. Saying I’m grateful for the opportunity to do this every day is an understatement, and the privilege I had to take the leap will never be lost on me.
What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?
I get to be creative in my own time on my own terms, while being responsible for my own schedule and performance. While being an entrepreneur is far from easy, it has freed up a mental capacity for me to be present and enjoy moments in a way that I never had space for with my traditional career.
What makes you unique?
You can get amazing gifts and products from a lot of places, but there aren’t a lot of places where you can get everything in one stop. A perfectly personalized package, ready to give.
Can you tell a few things you offer?
Handmade candles, personalization, curated gifts + local products
What is your favorite part about what you do?
The creative process, the people I meet, and the aftermath. I love hearing how the gifts make others feel.
What does the future look like for you and your business?
My hope is to be the first place you’ll think of for all things personalized & local, the first place companies will come for meaningful client/employee gifts, and the first choice candle for your homes and businesses. Be on the lookout for C A D E A U Candles coming to stores, exclusive signature scents in businesses you already know and love, and dreaming big, a storefront of our own one day.
What advice would you give to others that want to start something new?
“Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.” -Unknown
Any advice for juggling all the things in daily life?
Lean on those around you, trust that timing is everything, and allow yourself to say no. 
