We'd love to learn about your business and what you do. Can you share more?
With Love Paperie is a custom stationery and invitation studio dedicated to celebrating all of life's special moments, both personal and professional. The journey began with a brick-and-mortar gift store specializing in all things paper. Custom invitations were just one of the offerings in the shop, and after the store closed, I shifted the focus to stationery and invitations.
I collaborate with a wide range of clients, from couples getting married to those hosting showers, parties, or corporate events, as well as individuals seeking personal stationery items for themselves or as gifts.
I love working with diverse people and styles—whether it's a boho wedding or a wizard-themed baby shower, I'm on board. I also understand the structured needs of corporate projects and have extensive experience working within brand guidelines.
Achieving a balance between personal life and business demands is a hot topic. What strategies have you found effective for maintaining harmony in your life?
I tend to get anxious and manic when overwhelmed, so maintaining balance in all aspects of my life is crucial. Managing my pillars—personal, work, and family—has been particularly helpful. While I can manage if one is off, I need at least two to be in order to stay well.
For work balance, I stick to normal business hours, Monday through Friday, and only work on weekends or late evenings if I have plans and don't want to miss anything. For personal balance, I work out daily, even if it's just for 30 minutes, practice yoga, meditate, journal, and take a relaxing bath every night before bed. I also like to find ways to be creative outside of work every week.
Family balance is always a bit trickier, but I make it a point to have lunch (most days) and dinner with my husband to ensure we have time together. I also schedule a weekly "family" meeting with him every Friday to catch up on personal matters and business issues that impact our personal life, allowing for stress-free weekends. I regularly talk with my sisters and friends several times a week.
Additionally, I've found that balance comes more naturally when I limit my TV time to less than 30 minutes per week and restrict my phone screen time to work-related tasks during business hours and about an hour on weekends. There are probably more strategies I use, but these have become the most consistent and effective ones.
How do you leverage community and collaboration in your business strategy? We're keen to explore how female entrepreneurs are strengthening ties and creating synergies with other businesses and community members.
I've always surrounded myself with strong female entrepreneurs! Being part of the Magnolia Collective and other trade-specific groups has been an incredible experience.
Owning a business is challenging, especially as a woman juggling various demands alongside running a successful company. Knowing that other women are in the trenches with me is empowering; we learn so much from each other and provide a supportive space to lean on and a soft place to land when needed.
The women in my circle are amazing—supportive, honest, and generous. I hope to give back even a fraction of what they continually offer me!
Failure is often seen as a taboo subject, but it can be a powerful teacher. Could you share an experience where you faced failure and how you turned it into a learning opportunity?
We closed our coffee shop/bakery/gift and stationery store in March 2020 before and in no relation to the pandemic. At the time I thought that people might see that as a failure and the outside narrative really didn't help.
From that I learned a few things:
1. It's only a failure if YOU think it is and if you don't grow from it.
2. If you handle failure or endings with integrity, grace and a little bit of sass people will only remember the amazing things you did before that happened.
3. Some of the best things result from who we become after we fail at something.
4. Failure might actually be a blessing in disguise because it can free you up to take a new path.
AND FINALLY - let's be real failing at something sucks, so surround yourself with people that will help you get to the other side.
Every entrepreneur faces hurdles along the way. Can you talk about a significant obstacle you've overcome and what you learned from it?
I used to get in my own way a lot because I wanted things a certain way and I wanted them to happen very quickly. It's taken time, trial and error, and some very honest friends/family giving me feedback to learn to let things happen more organically. Everything shouldn't be an uphill battle and you have to know when something just isn't working or going to work.
Instead of seeking perfection, I am just looking for progress in most things and I am so much happier in my business with that mindset change.
What advice or tips would you have for other female founders starting their businesses?
Hang on! It's going to be a bumpy ride! But those moments of inspiration, joy, little wins, and enjoyment are pure magic when they happen and they make the ride completely worth it!
Find Jenn on Instagram at @withlovepaperie
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