Saturday, January 12, 2008

Good morning all! Meet Sophia...she is one of the new images from Paper Pretties that was released last night! Christie Ortman is the owner of Paper Pretties and we have been working together for almost a year now. During that time we have become friends and even though our business relationship will soon be ending, our friendship will remain. When Christie first told me she was developing her own lines of stamps I was happy for her but also a bit bummed...I can admit that right? I would be losing a good wholesale account and there would be another stamp company in the world and since I knew Christie had good taste I knew they would be cute! Christie was also privy to my unreleased artwork, things that were in production and I valued her opinion and was concerned that I would be losing a good sounding board as well. But luckily for me, my good friend Alma, the Cat's Pajamas Lady, has a wonderful outlook on things like this and after hearing it, it made so much sense that I've adopted it as my own! Her outlook is that every stamp company that finds a market and is supported in this industry financially is good for everyone else. It draws new people into the marketplace, people that will at some point branch out and explore other styles and companies. Since the core of me is basically a "there's enough for everyone" kinda gal, it was easy for me to see the value in that logic and to rapidly transition into what I hoped would be a mentor to Christie like Alma, Robert, Karen Lockhart, Gina K, Em, the Lizzie Anne gals and Julie Ebersole have been to me. This road would have been much rougher and no where near as fun and amazing as it has been without them! Each one has been free with advice and guidance whenever I have asked and often just when they sensed I needed it. That's the beauty of all of this, in a world where there is so much competitiveness that these fellow company owners, who in the strictest sense of the word are my competitors, have offered me a leg up instead of a shove down. I will always value and treasure these experiences and hope to do the same for others. I know of people in this industry that have gone about building their companies in a fashion that is far less than in integrity and in the process have cut themselves off from the very support that has been so pivotal to my success. They will never know the joy I feel by being supported by fellow companies and for that I feel very sad for their loss. So, enough of of my philosophical banter...go check out some stamps! And I *believe* sometime around the 19th of January, there's gonna be a new sheriff in town over at TCP...stay tuned!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Kim, love your card... its a great combo of MFT and Paper Pretties. Those are two of MY Favorite Things.

Its a "big old sandbox" and I'm so excited to get to play with a little bit of everything. (Although my husband, and possibly my wallet, don't agree!)

In fact, I just picked up some new MFT's last night in fact!

huntla1 said...

Kim, great card and I was surprised but happy to see you supporting what I had just learned was a new stamp from a "competitor". For many years I worked in a mail dominated industry. And what I saw time and again was that women were our own worst enemy. We scrapped, fought and clawed our way into the men's universe. I never understood that. When I got into a position where I could help and mentor younger women, I thrived on that. I so enjoyed seeing each of them grow and get better in what they did. And those of us that did that always had each other to count on when we just had a day where we needed to cry -- heaven knows we couldn't go to a male colleague for a tear session, we would be eaten alive! So I commend you on your willingness to help someone else get started. It really does create more harmony and I think that shows to customers too. As customers, it begins to become evident who is playing nice and who is being scrappy in the playground. And for me, that makes a difference. Thanks for playing nice!

huntla1 said...

oops, that would be a "male" dominated world. See I am so waiting for those two MFT orders that have been shipped that my brain is only focused on getting the "mail". How sad is that for a single woman! LOL!

Shannan Teubner said...

I think Alma's outlook (and your new one!) is spot on. There are tons of stamping dollars spent, and definitely enough to go around. I also think integrity is the number one thing to make it in this business. You're doin good girl! ;)
Love the card too. lol

Kraftin' Kimmie said...

What an enlightened outlook, Kim! I truly value your generosity of spirit, both as a customer and as a Design Team Member. Thank you for having such integrity and giving support to others in the business. That's the way the world SHOULD be! What you give out will come back to you tenfold!! Big things are a-comin' for ya Missy!! Mwah!!! xoxoxox

Jana Weaver said...

Beautiful card Kim! It was great having you at the party last night. And I loved reading what you wrote today, because I wrote about something very similar (from an outsiders perspective) on my own blog today! I love this industry, and am so excited to be part of it even just as a customer and designer!! :-)

Unknown said...

Kim YOU are FABULOUS!! It was so great to have you at our party last night and I LOVE your Sophia card!! What a great perspective and attitude you have and it shows in your wonderful company! I know I for one don't mind spending my money with companies I know to be owned & run by such giving, caring women and I think the more the merrier! :) You can never have enough stamps right? ;)

toners said...

Kim, what a great post! The stamping world is definitely big enough (and friendly enough!) for everyone. I am proud to be connected to you and Alma. You two are the BEST! :)

Tricia T said...

I appreciate your post, Kim. It makes it a fun business/craft to be a part of, when others rejoice when the family "grows". I know you're attitude will be a blessing to others and will come back to bless you as well!

Jennifer Buck said...

Cute! I love this.

Anonymous said...

Kim,
I love your card! You did a wonderful job. You know what else I know? You're a great business woman and friend.

I like Alma's thoughts too. And, you know the old saying about when one door shuts... Get ready for something new! It's coming for you babe. Good luck at the CHA!! :)
Hugs,
Gina K.