Today we’d like to introduce you to Tameka Franklin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tameka. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Paper&More Creations became an idea almost 13 years ago. I was an electrical engineering student, with one year left of completing my degree. I had the big sister role of planning my sister’s baby shower, and that meant setting a theme, booking a venue and catering, designing the room layout and decor. However, planning the shower also included creating the invitations, favors, games, centerpiece ideas…pretty much creating a cohesive feel for this happy occasion. My favorite part of planning the shower was designing the invitation and creating the favors and the game stationery designs.
After graduating from college and beginning my corporate career, with manufacturing and quality engineering roles, family and friends and friends of family were contacting me to create invitations for them. My work was seen by others, and word of mouth helped me move towards making the idea a reality.
Years went by of having a career as an engineer and having a passion of creating for others as a custom stationery designer. Late 2015, Paper&More Creations became a reality.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely hasn’t been easy…no smooth rides over here…but it’s been worth it. Creating for others part-time, while having a full-time career was definitely challenging. Giving your all to both can be exhausting. On one end, you’re working, saving, and investing into your own passion, to see that passion grow and succeed. However, on the other end, you’re stretched thin (or at least this was my case with a demanding full-time career, commuting to another city for work each day with over a 1.5hr drive each way, being away from home over 14 hours daily, and burning the midnight oil because you’ve finally made it home to work on your client’s design and you’re in the zone, but look up and it’s after midnight and you have to be up for work in about three hours), so you have to prioritize the number of clients you can handle, possibly limiting your growth.
Also, finding resources to learn and grow your skills when you’re self-taught was and still can be a challenge. I didn’t come from a graphic design background. However, my engineering background has helped tremendously, as I’ve had to do a lot of research, test out recommended companies for outsourcing options, and choose what works best for my design services. Because I’m from a totally different career background, I’ve had to invest in design and business education in order to continue elevating my design services, as well as business processes for excellent customer experiences. But, it’s been worth every challenge…just to see the growth from where I started to now, and to have visions of where I’m going…it’s so exciting, and makes me appreciate the bumpy road.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Paper&More Creations – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Emerged out of a love for creativity and a passion for creating timeless, eye-catching designs, Paper&More Creations is a professional custom stationery design boutique company, creating luxury invitations and custom stationery for weddings, socials, and corporate events. Delivering an exciting and stress-free experience, with an expectation of creating a luxurious impression with everyone who receives our labor of love is our top priority.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The future! I’m so excited about the future of Paper&More Creations! One of our items from our new “Be YOU” Collection was just released during the 2019 holiday season. It’s a way for me to always encourage and inspire others of being who you are. Other products in this collection will be released soon. Our 2019 “Holiday Cheer” Collection was released as well, with future holiday-inspired collections to come as well. More ready-to-order products coming to a shopping cart near you, so stay tuned for new collections from Paper&More Creations.
Let’s see, I’ve curated an exclusive referral program for event creatives and rolled out the introductory sign-up this summer, and looking forward to seeing how this program successfully supports these amazing and wonderful creatives. I have a few other ideas in the works, but don’t want to give too much away at this time…but always stay tuned for what’s to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.paperandmorecreations.com
- Phone: 1.800.713.9490
- Email: info@paperandmorecreations.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/paperandmorecreationsllc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/
PapernMoreCreationsLLC
Image Credit:
Tamika Nelson Photography
Teshorn Jackson Photography
Ten Thirty Three Photography
J. Flakes Photography
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