a new venture for me

HELLO!!!! Yes, that’s me shouting hello at y’all … it’s been way too long and I’ve been far too busy. I have lots to share and words building up inside of me … but no time to sit and sort them out.

Besides my girls being out of school, and a plethora of horse shows, I’ve decided to join my friend Wendy in running her paper and gift store, Papaya Papers! Eeeeekkkk … am I crazy?! Some might say yes. In fact, I’d pretty much be nodding my head in agreement!

I mentioned back in January that I was helping Wendy do some buying, merchandising, and marketing? That seemed to be going so well, she asked me to invest in the store and become partners. I absolutely didn’t need one more thing to add to my plate, so this one required a lot of soul searching and prayer.

After some time, I decided to go for it!

In hindsight, the timing’s been difficult because the girls are home for the summer, and we also have quite a bit of travel and kids going here and there … I somehow forgot I was their driver for these activities, and literally scheduled one to be on one side of town, while another needed to be on the other side of town at the exact same time.

But anyway.

The girls have been really supportive and they know how much it means to me. One day I was leaving for the store, and maybe apologized to Wynter for something {I can’t remember the exact details}, and she said, “It’s okay mom, I know how important this is to you.” Heart swell.

Right after our partnership was official, we decided to move into a new location. And I think that’s probably what’s been the most time consuming. We completely remodeled the inside of the new location … we’re slated to open August 5th … and it’s been busy, busy, busy!

 All that said, I do love it. I see a huge opportunity for growth and I’m excited to be a part of it!

Pluuusssssss … I got to go to the National Stationery Show {it’s been about 5 years since I’ve been} and see all of this paper goodness!

Wendy and I announcing our new partnership via social media!

Truth from Ink Meets Paper!

Paper Bandit Press had me at “free phone charging …”

Ahhh … we met the lovely Grace from Writefully His. Not only does she have lovely paper goodness, but 20% of her proceeds are used to purchase pencils and paper for children in East Africa! Seriously!? More companies should do this! Love!

1 canoe 2 … really, I can’t say anything more. Everything they make causes my heart to flutter!

Snow & Graham. Just classic paper awesomeness. Trust me.

Belle & Union Co. is new-to-me. And I’m smitten. My favorite, favorite, favorite booth I ever-did-see!

This card is from Southern Fried Design. It’s a line with southern sayings and it’s perfect! A small factoid about me … I’m what you’d call a closet Garth Brooks fan. I love me some Garth! The closet part came when he went all Chris Gaines on us!

Sugar*Paper LA. Perfection. Plain and simple.
Eons ago, I found them online and had them design some personalized stationery for me. They were just a small little letterpress company at that time. And well … look at them now!

These are two companies we found and fell in love with! Both have sheet wrap {which we’ll now be carrying at Papaya}, and the designs are both simple and lovely! Can’t wait to get this into the store soon!

This morning Wendy and I are headed back to Atlanta for the Atlanta Gift Market to find more awesomeness to bring into Papaya!

I’m not gonna lie … overall, this new venture has taken a toll on me … but it also feeds my creative soul in a way that nothing else can.

Some may wonder, “Is it worth it?”

Yeah. Absolutely!

247 Comments

  1. Susan Lesperance July 8, 2014 at 8:30 am

    Tracie, so happy for you and Wendy. Congratulations on your new venture…Papaya Papers. You are an amazing woman…and I know you will find a way to balance your busy life to nourish your creativity while, at the same time, continuing to be the terrific mother you are to your four beautiful girls. I will be right here following your journey and rooting you on.

    Reply
  2. dawn July 8, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    so happy to pop on over to your blog on a whim and see that you WROTE!! <3 i love all the stationary photos… and that blue ribbon apron? swoon!!!! perfect for this time in your life!!! hoping that you find peace in this adventure… and JOY!!! love you!

    Reply
  3. Terry July 9, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    I am so very excited for you Tracie and your new venture. You deserve to have an outlet for your creativity! I know you will be stretched to the limits but at least it makes you happy…which makes me happy!!

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  4. Melanie July 18, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    Good luck with everything, Tracie. So happy you will be back in the stationery business. Loved your store in Milwaukee!

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  5. Cat Moore September 9, 2014 at 11:58 pm

    Your store looks amazing! And the products do too! I want that calendar! Can’t wait to visit in person!!!! :)

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