Tell us about your company and/or your products.
Age-Friendly Vibes is a stationery brand that educates and inspires us all to join the movement to end ageism. Our designs are unique. When celebrating birthdays, we don’t ignore the elephant in the room; getting older, we address it in clever, inspiring, and thought-provoking ways.
In addition to over 75 greeting card SKUs, Age-Friendly Vibes creates stickers, buttons, and gifts that spread age-positivity.
What’s your role at your company?
I am the designer and founder, and though I have part-time fulfillment help, I juggle the many roles required to run a successful greeting card business!
Why did you become a GCA member and tell us about your GCA experience so far.
In 2022, I decided to grow the wholesale side of my business, starting with exhibiting at Noted. From my experience in business, I knew that getting involved with the GCA would be a great way to meet people and prepare to confidently present my brand to retailers and key players in the stationery industry.
My first time exhibiting at Noted was a success! I met the GCA's leadership in person and continue to keep current with the greeting card industry all year round in town halls and committee meetings. I am grateful not only for the people I have met but also for the ease of exhibiting provided by the GCA Village at tradeshows and the education, networking, and leadership displayed at the Workshop and Retreat.
Being a member of the GCA has been a critical part of the success of my business!
What inspired you to get involved in the greeting card industry?
I was inspired by an anti-ageist birthday card contest held during COVID by Changing the Narrative, a national campaign that brings awareness to ageism. When researching funny, clever, and snarky cards, I was astounded at the number that mocked age.
With my tech and graphic design background, I started playing around with greeting card ideas and put some age-positive designs up for sale on Etsy. The tremendous response motivated me to learn everything about the greeting card industry.
What's something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I am new to the greeting card industry but familiar with building a side business! I've been a web developer my entire career, and in the past ten years, after blogging about iPhone tips and tricks, I created an iPhone training business. After learning everything I could about course creation, email marketing, and keeping pace with endless iPhone updates, I left the iPhone training to Apple and have never looked back.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
The greeting card industry is like no other industry I've ever experienced. It’s incredible to learn from my paper peers who share their knowledge generously and provide unwavering support while we work daily in the trenches to build our creative businesses. As a bonus, I’ve formed many great friendships!
Jan Golden
Age-Friendly Vibes
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