Forget the generic goodie bag! Picky Pickle is here to change the game entirely. Founded in Beirut by the dynamic duo Marianne Daw and Lea Wehbeh, this one-of-a-kind kids’ brand is redefining what birthday party giveaways can and should look like, transforming a tired tradition into a moment children genuinely look forward to. What began as a creative outlet during the uncertainty of lockdown, two mothers crafting small, joyful trinkets to keep their children entertained, quickly blossomed into something far greater: a brand built on the belief that the smallest details carry the biggest magic. Every piece Picky Pickle creates is handmade, thoughtfully designed, and bursting with personality, gifts to hold onto, not toss aside. Fun, colourful, and unapologetically cool, Picky Pickle is proof that when heart and creativity come together, even the simplest gesture becomes a memory. We sat down with Marianne and Lea to talk about how they turned a brilliant idea into every child’s favourite part of the party and why, no matter what life throws at them, they have never stopped creating.
Take us back to the beginning. What was the moment or experience that made you say, “I need to build this”?
Picky Pickle started during the covid pandemic. As two mums at home, we were constantly creating small, fun trinkets to keep our kids entertained. What began as something for our own children quickly made us realise how much joy these little details could bring. That’s when we knew we wanted to turn it into something bigger and share it with others.
How does your work reflect the community you’re rooted in, and how has that community shaped your creative or business direction?
Our community is our inspiration. Being surrounded by cool, creative mums who love making every little moment special pushes us to think differently. Their feedback, their needs, and the way they celebrate their kids constantly inspire us. It pushes us to stay creative, colourful, and always focused on making each piece feel special and personal.
In a crowded space, how does Picky Pickle stand out from others?
We don’t think of what we create just as “giveaways.” We think in moments, not products. Everything we create is meant to feel personal, fun, and a little unexpected, like something you’d keep, not throw away. We’re detail-obsessed, but in a playful way, and we always ask: would we give this to our own kids? That mindset keeps us real and keeps what we do from feeling generic.
Walk us through a challenge that nearly made you quit, and what kept you going.
In the past 6 years, we’ve gone through two wars, one national and one regional, which brought major challenges, especially with shipping and sourcing. But we never stopped creating. Knowing that most of what we do is handmade kept us grounded; we could still show up, still build, still bring something positive despite everything around us. It became a reminder of why we do what we do: to create joy, even in the hardest moments.
How do you balance staying true to your original vision while adapting to what the market or your audience needs?
We know who we are, so we don’t chase trends; we remix them in our own way. We stay locked into our vibe, fun, personal, feel-good, but we’re always listening to our community. They shape what we do without changing who we are. It’s more about evolving the expression, not the identity, and that’s what keeps it fresh.
What does support for local and independent businesses actually look like in practice? What have you received, and what do you wish existed?
Real support is people choosing you, talking about you, and coming back, not just once, but consistently. We’ve been lucky to feel that from our community, and it’s what helped us grow. At the same time, we wish there was more structure around it. Easier logistics, fewer restrictions, and more platforms that truly uplift small, creative businesses.
Because when support is both emotional and practical, that’s when small brands really thrive.
Who in your city or region is doing something you deeply respect, and why?
We really admire “mompreneurs” in our country. There’s something powerful about women who are building businesses while raising families, especially in such a challenging environment.
If you could change one structural thing to help entrepreneurs like you thrive, what would it be?
More respect for originality. It’s challenging to see ideas being copied without credit, especially when so much of what we do is handmade and thoughtfully created. Having more awareness and protection around creative work would make a huge difference. It would allow small businesses like ours to keep innovating without feeling like their work can be easily taken and replicated.
What does success look like for you in the next three years, and how do you define it beyond revenue?
Success for us is building a brand that people genuinely connect with, not just buy from. We want Picky Pickle to become a go-to for meaningful, feel-good gifting, while growing in a way that still feels creative and hands-on. Beyond revenue, it’s about impact, the smiles, the memories we’re part of, and the community we’re building around it. If it still feels fun, personal, and true to us… That’s success.
What would you say to someone sitting on a dream similar to yours, too afraid to start?
Start before you feel ready. You figure things out as you go; that’s part of it. We started small, with what we had, and it grew from there. Don’t wait for perfect timing; it doesn’t exist. Just take the first step and let it evolve.
By Lea Nouhra
