Contestant's Case to Win

InTimeOfSorrow.com (www.intimeofsorrow.com) was launched in February 2009. Founded by boomer Mary Zemites, the web store offers a large selection of quality sympathy gifts. InTimeOfSorrow.com allows customers to send a touching, inspirational gift directly to a grieving friend or relative. "My selection of gifts is more personal and longer-lasting than the traditional flower arrangement or basket of food. I specialize in providing that "just right" gift for difficult circumstances."

Unlike a mall gift shop, that may carry three or four bereavement products, InTimeOfSorrow.com features over 150 sympathy gift products with prices starting at under $20. Most customers request that their gifts be wrapped and shipped directly to the recipient, a reflection of the geographic distances between friends and families today. Additionally, our busy lives make buying shipping supplies, wrapping a package, and standing in line at the post office impractical.

Widowed in her thirties, with three young children, Mary experienced a devastating loss firsthand. For the past ten years, she has facilitated bereavement groups for children and widows. Over the years, many acquaintances have asked for her guidance in selecting a special gift for a grieving friend or relative. Recognizing the void in this market, Mary decided to start InTimeOfSorrow.com with a collection of carefully selected items. She recently added a free e-newsletter, available on the website. Entitled "Plain Talk on Grief", it discusses a different aspect of grieving each month.

The web store offers angels, books, candles, wind chimes, garden stones, crosses, jewelry, music and keepsake boxes, ornaments, pet loss gifts, picture frames, gift baskets and custom memorial paintings. There are gifts appropriate for men, women, teens, children and families. Several products can be personalized with a name or sentiment selected by the customer. The site also offers grief resources, including books for adults, teens and children, and website listings for counseling centers and publications.

"My company was born out of not only my experiences and a recognized need, but also a recognition of the demographics of our population. There is a tremendous potential here for a niche that serves the aging population and for a business that is buffered from the effects of recession."