At Jones & Swanson, we love supporting local businesses that help make Marietta such a special place to work, shop, and live. We recently had the pleasure to speak with Lauren Reeves, Cobb County native and owner of The Spirit Exchange Co., a fellow Whitlock Avenue business, to learn more about her journey, her love for celebrations, and what inspired her to open The Spirit Exchange Co.
Who is Lauren Reeves?
Before opening The Spirit Exchange Co., Lauren had a successful career in restaurant hospitality, learning, and development. Even during her corporate career, Lauren says she knew she wanted to do something creative: “I loved planning events, decorating, and helping people celebrate life’s milestones.” In the fall of 2025, she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue the business she had been dreaming about. Since its opening, The Spirit Exchange Co. has been a space where customers can shop for thoughtful gifts, attend creative workshops, prepare for holidays, and find inspiration for life’s most special moments.
Lauren will tell you that she has always had a passion for celebrations, entertaining, and creating meaningful experiences. She originally imagined starting a wedding and event planning business, and she even attended college to do so. But over time, and especially after starting her family, that idea evolved into something more.
Lauren’s Roots in Marietta
Lauren grew up in Cobb County, where she and her husband are currently raising their family. When it came time to find a location for The Spirit Exchange Co., she knew she wanted to share her vision with the community. Lauren intentionally chose Whitlock Avenue because the location provides her customers with convenient, easy access to parking, which is especially helpful for larger seasonal decor pieces and armfuls of gifts, supplies, and decor.
What is The Spirit Exchange Co.?
The Spirit Exchange Co. offers a mix of gifts, seasonal decor, party supplies, entertaining essentials, paper goods, door hangers, and locally made items. Lauren also offers services and products for corporate gifting, realtor gifts, custom stationery, holiday decorating, and concierge gifting options.
One of the shop’s most unique offerings is the viral trending porch goose and accessories. Lauren has started a nationwide subscription club, The Silly Goose Club, that allows customers all over the country to receive a seasonally inspired outfit and accessories for their goose every month. In the shop and online, The Spirit Exchange Co. also carries pro, collegiate, and local school cheerleading goose outfits.
Lauren also offers hand-painted and installed yard storks. These are a great surprise for the new parents as they pull up the driveway with their new baby.
The Spirit Exchange Co. In the Marietta Community
The Spirit Exchange Co. is more than a retail and online store. It has become a creative gathering place.
The shop has dedicated extra rooms for hosting a variety of workshops and community events, including mahjong, craft clubs, knitting groups, photo sessions, candle-making, and floral workshops, just to name a few. Lauren is always testing new ideas and finding ways to make the space useful for the community.
Seasonal Fun at the shop
The holiday season is a major focus for The Spirit Exchange Co. Lauren offers Christmas decorating services and plans to introduce Christmas tree kits in the shop and online this year. Customers will be able to choose from different tree designs and purchase a kit with carefully coordinated pieces to help recreate the look at home.
Lauren also plans to offer gift wrapping services during the holidays, including a “sip and wrap” style experience where customers can bring gifts to the shop and wrap them using curated wrapping paper and supplies. She also says that she is looking forward to her second holiday season on Whitlock Avenue and is excited to carry local holiday items, including products from local makers, and continues to look for ways to highlight Marietta-area artists and small businesses.
What is your favorite part of being a business owner?
For Lauren, one of the best parts of owning The Spirit Exchange is building relationships with customers and other local business owners.
She loves seeing people come into the shop for inspiration, whether they are planning a party, decorating, choosing a gift, or attending a workshop. She also enjoys collaborating with local artists, vendors, and businesses to bring new ideas into the store.
What’s next for The Spirit Exchange Co.?
Lauren is expanding her corporate gifting and realtor gift services, helping local businesses create personalized gifts for clients, employees, and new homeowners. Her goal is to make thoughtful gifting simple while supporting other local businesses.
Mention this local business highlight during your next visit to The Spirit Exchange Co. and receive 15% off your next in-store purchase, valid through 8/15/2026!
Thank you to our local businesses
At Jones & Swanson, we are proud to support local businesses like The Spirit Exchange Co. that bring creativity, celebration, and community to Marietta. Lauren’s story is a great reminder that small businesses are often built from passion, hard work, and a willingness to take a leap of faith.
Be sure to stop by The Spirit Exchange Co. on Whitlock Avenue to shop, attend a workshop, or find inspiration for your next celebration, located at 999 Whitlock Avenue, Suite 2, Marietta, GA 30064.
Categories: Community Outreach
