Photo courtesy of SodaGift
Technology has altered the landscape of human communication. From instant messaging apps to video conferencing platforms, people’s ability to connect with others has defied geographical boundaries and time zones.
Technology has also changed the age-old tradition of gift-giving, ushering in the era of cross-border gifting. This has redefined how people express care and affection, allowing them to send tokens of love and appreciation across continents with just a few clicks.
Jake Kim, co-founder and CEO of Sodacrew Global Inc., saw the potential in cross-border gift-giving, changing his business from a remittance company to an international gift-giving service called SodaGift. Under the umbrella of Sodacrew Inc., SodaGift now serves over 300,000 users in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines.
Kim, who has been in the gift-giving service for almost seven years now, shares his insights on how technology has changed the ability to give and receive gifts and what this shift means for relationships in an increasingly interconnected world.
Introducing a Greater Convenience
Gone are the days when gift-giving necessitated a trip to the mall or post office. With new technology, people can send thoughtful presents with their devices and from the comfort of their homes.
The Future of Gifting: How Technology Changed the Game in Gift-Giving According to Jake Kim of Sodacrew Global Inc.
Sometimes, great things come from unexpected beginnings. This is the story of Sodacrew, a company that started gift-giving as an add-on to its remittance service product but, later unexpectedly blossomed into an independent business serving hundreds of thousands of users worldwide. What began as a side project became one of the most trusted cross-border gifting services.
SodaGift’s Beginnings
In 2015, Sodacrew’s founders—Jake Kim, Daniel Lee, and Richard Kim—tirelessly searched for the next big thing in business. They toyed with various business concepts but landed on SodaTransfer, a digital wallet service that facilitates international money transfers. Officially launched in 2016, SodaTransfer garnered around 16,000 users who appreciate its cheaper and more convenient money transfer service than traditional banks.
The entrepreneurs saw the success of SodaTransfer, but to make it more appealing, they added a unique perk—a complementary offering that allows users to send gifts alongside their remittances called SodaGift. Both services received positive feedback, yet SodaGift’s growth outstripped the original remittance platform. The three founders saw an opportunity and immense potential in the gifting industry.
Jake Kim, Sodacrew’s current chief executive officer (CEO), adds, “Things seem to fall into its right place at that time. While SodaTransfer struggled with stringent financial laws, SodaGift was booming, giving us, as businessmen, an opportunity to think through and pivot.”
Business Spotlight: Sodacrew’s Journey From a Fintech Startup to Today’s Reliable Global Gifting Service
Technology has transformed how people connect, making even the most distant interactions feel close and personal. This advancement has reshaped numerous industries and gift-giving is no exception.
Los Angeles, California, United States - May 9, 2024 —
Technology has transformed how people connect, making even the most distant interactions feel close and personal. This advancement has reshaped numerous industries and gift-giving is no exception. Gone are the days when sending a gift across borders was laden with logistical nightmares and hefty shipping fees. Companies like Sodacrew Global Inc., through its service, SodaGift, have turned these challenges into a seamless experience, making international gifting straightforward and effortless.
SodaGift is a reliable international gift-giving service that removes the traditional complexities of sending gifts abroad. No more navigating through perplexing postal codes, grappling with customs regulations, or enduring long delivery windows. This service simplifies the process and enriches the experience, ensuring that gifts convey the warmth and thoughtfulness they are meant to deliver.
What SodaGift Solves
[Business Insider] Meet SodaGift, the International Gift-Giving Service Without the Hassle | Markets Insider
PANGYO, South Korea, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to purchasing a gift card online as a gift, even for the most tech savvies, all the cumbersome steps customers have to complete just to find the receiving end have to go through the same hassle would have shooed them away. But there is a South Korean startup specializing in a turnkey solution for an easier and more pleasurable online gifting experience. And it has just been launched in the United States and Canada. Meet SodaGift (https://sodagift.com/en).
SodaGift's app interface
From its incubation period, SodaGift's idea received attention due to the underlying demand and the potential target population. Due to the ever-increasing need for online gifting, SodaGift has met an unprecedented demand both domestically and internationally. With over 300 brands and 3,500 gifts, shoppers around the globe could purchase anything for their friends and family back in South Korea. Not to mention their hassle-free checkout process with no need for a Korean phone number nor Korean debit/credit card. To top it off, their mobile gift allows shoppers to send gift cards via text or email with a few clicks.
Soon after growing the market as a whole and becoming the industry's largest shareholder, SodaGift decided to take on the next milestone: launch a global-wide service. To meet the relentless demand of cross-border gifting, SodaGift has launched their global service that truly transcends borders; shoppers can now gift realtime to USA and Canada from overseas or within USA and Canada. Popular US and Canadian brands such as Amazon, Starbucks, Nike, Tim Horton, and Walmart are all available in the form of a gift card. With this new launch, SodaGift is striving to expand their cross-border services to other countries in the imminent future.
While there are numerous providers offering a similar service, the majority caters to corporate gifting in bulk quantities. On the contrary, SodaGift not only provides bulk purchases but gravitates towards individual purchases with attention to personal details such as including an e-note along with the gift card. And this is only the beginning, as they are preparing to roll out many more exciting features in the soon to come future.
[The Korea Herald] SodaCrew: SodaGift Expands Mobile Gifting to North America
Image courtesy of Sodacrew Global Inc.
Technology has transformed how people connect, making even the most distant interactions feel close and personal. This advancement has reshaped numerous industries and gift-giving is no exception. Gone are the days when sending a gift across borders was laden with logistical nightmares and hefty shipping fees. Companies like Sodacrew Global Inc., through its service, SodaGift, have turned these challenges into a seamless experience, making international gifting straightforward and effortless.
SodaGift is a reliable international gift-giving service that removes the traditional complexities of sending gifts abroad. No more navigating through perplexing postal codes, grappling with customs regulations, or enduring long delivery windows. This service simplifies the process and enriches the experience, ensuring that gifts convey the warmth and thoughtfulness they are meant to deliver.
What SodaGift Solves
Sending a gift across international borders is one of the most thoughtful ways to express care and maintain connections. It transcends the physical miles that separate friends, families, or colleagues. For those living abroad or separated from loved ones, these gifts bridge and reduce the emotional distance, making significant occasions feel shared and celebrated together.
However, the complexities of international logistics—from understanding various customs regulations to dealing with potential delays and additional costs—can turn what should be a simple act of kindness into a stressful and sometimes costly idea.
SodaGift believes gift-giving should be simple, regardless of location. With its SodaGift mobile app and website, anyone can send gifts to eight countries—the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines—and can choose a variety of gift packs and cards to send their loved ones on any occasion.
[Ritz Herald] Meet SodaGift, the International Gift-Giving Service Without the Hassle | The Ritz Herald
PANGYO, South Korea, June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global gifting service SodaGift launched their mobile app available both on Android and iOS early June.
SodaGift allows users to send digital gift cards and delivery gifts from abroad to Korea and are in the works to expand their gift coverage in North America by the end of 2021. Currently, digital gift cards from over 150 brands are offered and delivered via text message or link share. Delivery gifts range from flowers to gift sets that vary according to seasons and holidays.
Payment methods and language support have been the largest barriers in online gifting from Korean online stores for foreigners and expats. SodaGift accepts international cards and all aspects of the service including customer support is available in both Korean and English.
Daniel Lee, chief executive officer of SodaCrew, said “The demand for cross-border gifting has reached an all-time high and SodaGift plans to meet and exceed expectations with this launch as a mobile app has been the most requested product feature from users.”
[AP News] SodaGift launches app to make gifting easier
PANGYO, South Korea, June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global gifting service SodaGift launched their mobile app available both on Android and iOS early June.
SodaGift allows users to send digital gift cards and delivery gifts from abroad to Korea and are in the works to expand their gift coverage in North America by the end of 2021. Currently, digital gift cards from over 150 brands are offered and delivered via text message or link share. Delivery gifts range from flowers to gift sets that vary according to seasons and holidays.
Payment methods and language support have been the largest barriers in online gifting from Korean online stores for foreigners and expats. SodaGift accepts international cards and all aspects of the service including customer support is available in both Korean and English.
Daniel Lee, chief executive officer of SodaCrew, said "The demand for cross-border gifting has reached an all-time high and SodaGift plans to meet and exceed expectations with this launch as a mobile app has been the most requested product feature from users."
With this launch, the brand featured a new pink brand logo and slogan "A little surprise, everywhere" to connect with users on a friendlier level.
SOURCE SodaCrew Inc
[PR Newswire] SodaGift launches app to make "gifting easier"
