Tell us about your company and/or your products.
Kwohtations is a Brooklyn, NY-based line of letterpress printed greeting cards and gifts that celebrate the lives we actually lead. Our cards honor chosen families and deep friendships, celebrate non-traditional life milestones like gender transitions and starting a small business, and address mental health struggles and grief & loss. My hope is that everyone can see some of themselves in our cards.
What’s your role at your company?
My official title is owner and designer. However, like so many other solo entrepreneurs, I am also the social media manager, production team, shipping department, customer service, and tech support! Wearing so many hats is sometimes exhausting, but I also really enjoy being involved in all parts of the business.
Why did you become a GCA member and tell us about your GCA experience so far.
I joined the GCA to gain a broader industry perspective and contribute more to the greeting card industry as a whole, not just focus solely on running my own business. I’ve been fortunate to have found a wonderful community within this industry and wanted to continue to grow and strengthen these relationships.
Being a GCA member has helped me achieve both these goals! The GCA Town Halls and online community are incredibly informative. I’ve joined the Thinking of You Week committee and Louie Award committee, which has been a great way for me to get to know other committee members and help with these initiatives that celebrate our industry.
What inspired you to get involved in the greeting card industry?
I unexpectedly found my way into making greeting cards. I started out my career in private equity, which is quite the opposite of making heartfelt handmade greeting cards! I began making cards in 2012 as a hobby, which turned into a side business, and is now my full-time endeavor.
I fell in love with making cards when I saw how they can make it easier for people to reach out and connect with one another. My aim is to create cards that help people reach out in those times when it can be challenging to find the right words.
What's something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I love watching action movies. I’m a huge fan of the Fast & Furious franchise, the John Wick movies, and just about any ridiculous (yet incredible) action movie starring Jason Statham or Liam Neeson.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
The greeting card industry is one of the most genuinely kind and generous industries I’ve worked in. It’s rare to work in an industry where so many close “competitors” actually feel more like colleagues or even become friends. I feel very fortunate to be in this community.
Janine Kwoh
Kwohtations
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