Thinking about exhibiting at a wholesale trade show like NY Now? From booth setup surprises (including missing walls!) to clever display hacks and insider tips, I’m sharing what it’s really like behind the scenes. Whether you’re a stationery or gift brand prepping for your first show—or just looking to make your next one smoother—you’ll find practical advice on booth design, pre-show marketing, giveaways that buyers actually love, and the all-important post-show follow-up.

Halfway through 2025, my “set it and forget it” plan for passive income—through surface pattern design licensing and digital products—hasn’t gone exactly to plan. Here’s what I learned about patience, pivoting, and running a creative business that stays true to your energy and vision.

Discover 5 creative product development strategies that helped paper&stuff save money, reduce waste, and build bestsellers. From remixing top-selling designs to repurposing imperfect inventory, these real-world examples show how small businesses can grow smarter—not bigger.

Meet Michele, the designer and founder behind paper&stuff, an eco-friendly stationery brand known for bold greeting cards and thoughtful designs. Discover how Michele's background in graphic design, passion for authenticity, and commitment to sustainability shape each unique product.

Discover five essential lessons from five transformative years of building paper&stuff! From redefining success and embracing slow growth to mastering systems and balancing creativity with strategy, this blog offers insights into running a thriving creative small business. Perfect for entrepreneurs, designers, and stationery enthusiasts looking for inspiration and actionable advice.

Discover the highs and lows of 2024 for paper&stuff, from record-breaking sales and creative challenges to valuable lessons in resilience, experimentation, and growth. Learn how this year shaped a clearer, more intentional vision for the future.

In this blog post, we take a journey through the ups and downs of 2023 as a small business owner. From celebrating milestones and adapting product offerings to embracing customer love and navigating the challenges of paid advertising, this recap offers valuable insights and lessons learned. Join us as we reflect on the triumphs, setbacks, and growth that define the small business experience. Whether you're a fellow entrepreneur or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of running a business, this post is filled with tips, anecdotes, and a sprinkle of magical metaphors. Get inspired, learn from our experiences, and discover the joys and challenges of the small business journey.

In this blog post, I reflect on the highlights and insights gained in 2021. From surpassing revenue goals to expanding the retailer network and exploring new territories, it has been a year of growth, challenges, and valuable lessons. I share some of my proudest moments and offer insights and tips to help fellow small business owners thrive.

Starting my greeting card business has taught me several valuable lessons. Being open to change, taking risks, starting slowly, iterating for breakthroughs, and seeking advice and networking with other business owners are all essential to success. I have learned that trial and error is a natural part of the process, and I need to be patient, hardworking, and persevering to turn my passion into a thriving business.

This is the story of how I accidentally stumbled into selling wholesale after applying to the National Stationery Show, thinking it was just a small craft market. (Spoiler: it’s not.)