As with many entrepreneurs, Bharti Mistry Jindal founded the Fun Cart after recognizing a gap that needed to be filled. In this case, the gap was an event planning business for small gatherings in and around Napa Valley. “It’s hard to pack everything in your suitcase for a bachelorette party,” Jindal shared. Just like it’s challenging to pack meaningful details for milestone anniversaries, birthday signs for destination celebrations, or thoughtful trinkets for family reunions. “I want to make it effortless for people to carve out moments of joy amidst their busy schedules.”

Jindal’s unlikely career background as a nurse connects to her new venture in more ways than meets the eye; as a trusted host among her friends and family, she says connection building is a core part of her personality.

Bharti Mistry Jindal, Founder of the Fun Cart

“The ambiance of what I create and people I bring together have friends talking about these hosted experiences for years,” she explained. Last year, she hosted a Halloween costume party with friends, which was complete with adult board games, a costume prop bucket, trophies, and fun prizes. “We were all happily surprised that everyone got into the spirit and dressed up! Everyone enjoyed doing a little catwalk to show off their best side.”

She’s also no stranger to planning kids and family events, having planned a series of memorable birthday parties for her own children. This inspired her to create a Family Resort getaway bag with something in it for everyone: bath bombs from Napa Valley Soap Company, tech-free activities for the kids like fidget toys, paper and colored pens, pool floaties, and snacks. “The sales representatives loved the ideas,” she said.

Her meticulous attention to detail and caring heart led Jindal to create shoppable gift bags, party packages, and customizable versions. The fun cart process starts with a preliminary questionnaire, which gets to know the client; next is a design consultation, followed by a shared vision board and product selection before the final step of shopping and product edits. The result is shipped directly to where the customer will be — whether a hotel in the Valley or a personal home where they’ll be celebrating.

As for what’s in the boxes, well, that depends on the occasion, but Jindal likes to work with both large and boutique brands. “Local brands like soaps or lotions from artisans that are unique to the Valley add to a sense of place and community building,” she said. Jindal has been networking with local Yountville purveyors and envisions including chocolates, handmade soaps, and wine country-themed gifts in future fun cart offerings.

As the fun cart continues to grow, Jindal’s recognized a favorable response from hotels who want to include welcoming baskets inspired by her previous customers; what started as a fun way to welcome small groups to the Valley has evolved into a memorable welcome for anyone coming to the Valley.

“I look forward to working with shops, hotels, and wineries to offer some fun new products for visitors to Napa Valley,” she shared. “I want to continue to offer elevated experiences to make visitors feel special when traveling.”

For more information www.napathefuncart.com