As it has been said before it is increasingly difficult for the young professionals (Ages 25-44) to succeed here on Cape Cod. The majority of these people have to make the difficult choice to leave to find their piece of success, or stick it out which might be a longer road, or a dead end. For those who do remain when they do achieve their dream it is an even sweeter taste as they know they have succeeded where so many others have not.
This is the case of Penny Sampson. Her Cape Cod blood stretches back at least four generations and she is a proud alumnus of Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School. She had always dreamed of not only finding success, but doing it at home. This dream became a reality this summer when she opened Wish Gift Co., a lively and unique gift shop located in Merchant Square in Sandwich. Penny’s shop was not an overnight achievement, it was something long in planning yet she never lost sight of the ultimate goal.
“For as long as I can remember my dream has been to have my own shop,” Sampson says. “This space is the result of months of dedicated planning including attending gift shows, receiving product samples, and making the space what it is today.” The many months of hard work paid off with rave reviews and an extremely positive opening.
“Our store is already showing great signs of success and we regularly hear quotes like: “How cute is this shop?!” “I want everything in here it’s so hard to choose!” “It smells amazing” “So aesthetically pleasing to the eye.” In addition to doing her research and creating the beautiful new Wish Gift Co. there was another project that Penny had a hand in as well.
“My amazing husband (David) has provided help since the start and we also ran a successful bid for his election to the Sandwich Board of Selection in the middle of creating Wish Gift Co.” Creating a fresh and trendy new shop while also assisting her husband in his political aspirations, 2016 has been a huge triumph for Penny Sampson. Still the question needs to be asked again, why is it that she has succeeded while so many others need to cross over the Canal to do so? Penny has a very optimistic view for the future young professionals.
“Cape Cod certainly presents a unique set of challenges for young professionals,” Sampson says. “Established norms are difficult to change and the age of our community compounds that challenge. The most important piece to overcoming these perceived challenges is understanding that change is possible with vision and determination. Things do not have to remain as they are and they will change over time.”
The key seems to be to have patience and persistence when it comes to making it on the Cape. Penny Sampson kept her vision in mind and worked her way toward it until the doors finally swung open on Wish Gift Co. The future is bright and she has some great ideas that she hopes will be coming to fruition over the next year.
“We are continuing to work on sourcing additional independently made goods and products while developing plans to expand the business with concepts like Block Parties, First Fridays, creative classes and workshops, and adding opportunities for charitable fundraising.”
Giving back to the community, making the Cape more sustainable for future young professionals along with her husband David, these are ways that Penny Sampson will not only succeed on Cape Cod but also ensure the success of the young professionals to come. Perhaps in time the stream of young adults leaving here to make it will indeed be reversed. As Penny says “change is possible with vision and determination.”
Visit Penny Sampson and Wish Gift Co. at 4 Merchants Rd., Unit 3, in Sandwich
Like them on Facebook or call at 888-978-9474
By Christopher Setterlund
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