Alyce Renderos | The business of gifting

Meet ballerina turned entrepreneur, Alyce Renderos . After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2007, Alyce explored various roles in wedding planning, sales, and event partnerships. However, none of these careers fulfilled her sense of purpose as much as when she launched Saltus Gifting (formerly B.OK Ideas), a corporate gifting service focused on gratitude and wellbeing. In this Q&A, Alyce shares her career journey, the highs and lows of small business ownership, and her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

You’ve had a fascinating career—from ballet to luxury hotels to major event partnerships. What led you to take the leap into small business ownership?

I've always wanted to run my own business because I love a challenge and learning new things. More than that, I was searching for a deeper sense of purpose and a way to positively impact the community. I first considered it in 2018, but it wasn’t until late 2022, during parental leave, that I finally took the leap. I think I was waiting for the perfect time but spoiler alert—there isn't one. As a natural planner who is somewhat risk-averse, the transition pushed me well outside my comfort zone, but it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made.

What was the biggest challenge in starting your own business, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was decision fatigue. When you’re wearing all the hats, everything feels important, and it’s hard to know where to focus your energy. It’s also difficult to switch off, and working in a silo can lead to a lot of second-guessing yourself. The best thing I did was ask for help, build a strong support network, and keep pushing forward—even on the tough days. Often, when you feel like giving up, you’re closer to a breakthrough than you realise so just keep going.

You recently rebranded B.OK Ideas to Saltus Gifting. What inspired the change?

The first two years in business were a steep learning curve, and as the business evolved, I felt the brand needed to as well. This time around, I engaged a team of creatives and invested in building a strong brand with the right foundations for long-term success. The rebrand to Saltus Gifting was about better alignment with our vision and the business we had grown into.

Small business owners wear many hats. How do you balance creativity, strategy, and operations in your role?

I won’t lie, it’s challenging. I love the mantra “create before you consume," so I block out mornings for deep, creative work like strategy, sales, and marketing. I’ve learned the hard way that unrealistic deadlines stifle creativity, so I rely on calendar blocking and revisiting my top three priorities to reset when needed. Investing time early on to simplify processes and integrate automations has been key, allowing us to grow while keeping our team small but mighty.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you had been given before starting your own business?

Just do it! Don’t be afraid of failure or constructive feedback, it often redirects you to even better things. That said, only take feedback from people whose advice you’d actually seek. Connect with other founders early to build a support network. Entrepreneurship can be isolating, and having people to share the highs and lows with is invaluable for both growth and mental wellbeing.

You studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at QUT. How has your creative background influenced your approach to business?

As someone with both a BFA and an MBA, I bring a unique blend of creativity and strategic problem-solving to the business. My creative background has been instrumental in shaping the vision for Saltus Gifting, from brand development to curating meaningful gift experiences. While I engaged an incredible team for our rebrand, having a strong creative foundation helped me articulate my vision, guide direction, and make key decisions with confidence. Beyond branding, creative thinking is a powerful tool for problem-solving, innovation and finding solutions that push the business forward.

Saltus Gifting is built on gratitude and wellbeing. Why do you think these values resonate so strongly in the corporate world?

The world is changing, and as we become more intentional about nurturing our own wellbeing, the corporate world is following suit. Corporates are now embedding wellbeing into company culture in a more genuine way rather than just a tick-box exercise. Taking care of your people isn’t just the right thing to do; it directly impacts talent retention and fosters a strong, engaged company culture. An engaged team is more creative, innovative, and ultimately more successful. And when it comes to gratitude, who doesn’t appreciate being acknowledged for their commitment, passion, and time?

Running a business can be all-consuming. How do you personally practice self-care?

I try to avoid getting caught up in hustle culture, though sometimes that’s easier said than done. Being present with my kids, especially while they’re small, is a priority, so I focus on building long-term sustainable success. I remind myself that I can achieve big things at my own pace, with rest when needed. My non-negotiables include a morning walk or yoga flow before work, keeping weekends as work-free as possible for family time and leaning on my strong support network, which I deeply value.

And just for fun…do you have a personal favourite Saltus gift box?

The Happy Habitat gift is my favorite from our pre-curated collection because, for me, happiness starts at home. I wanted to create something that inspires conversation, connection, and a sense of calm. I also love our bespoke gift curation—it’s the heart of our business, and there’s something incredibly satisfying about bringing a brief to life to create a truly meaningful gift experience.

QUT degree—Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2007 (now the Bachelor of Creative Arts)

Have a question for Alyce? Connect with her on LinkedIn.