Thank you, Rock Paper Printz, for sponsoring this post, part of the 2016 Shop Small Christmas series. I was selected for this opportunity by Rock Paper Printz; the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Ollie's first Christmas is full of well, firsts! First Santa meeting, first Christmas tree, first cozy Christmas pajamas, and... first Christmas presents! For now, Dusty and I have decided to attempt tradition with 4 gifts: Something he wants, something he needs, something to wear, and something to read. Obviously a 5 month old doesn't have many wants beyond milk and naps, but he'll grow into it!
When I first saw Rock Paper Printz's Santa sacks on Etsy, I just knew it would be prefect for Ollie's presents! By really enjoying this season and not necessarily making the holiday all about gifts, we are able to fit everything we have gotten him in this sack. I love the design and adore the personalization, and as he gets older, we can set it out for Santa to fill when he arrives on Christmas night. So perfect!
There are plenty of variations of Santa sacks out there, as owner, Jennifer, knows. However, her customer service and overall customer care puts her in front of many others out there. Her sacks are perfectly priced and ship super quick! Thinking about ordering one for your own kiddo? Check out her shop over on Etsy and use the code "BAHORICHABODE" which will give a 15% discount through Christmas on all orders! I really adore it and cannot wait to incorporate this in our family traditions through the years!!
Here is a little bit more about Jennifer, the owner of Rock Paper Printz:
How did you get your shop started?
I actually started the store with Santa sacks. I had been a screen printer 10 years ago and decided to take a break from it, so I packed up my equipment and put it in storage . In 2015 the company that I worked at shut down so I got it in my mind to pull out the old screen print equipment and maybe give it a try again. But I didn't want to do corporate work anymore as I really didn't enjoy doing it, so I started thinking about what kind of items I could make with it that would be fun. I had seen a santa sack somewhere else on line and I thought it would be perfect! So I made my first one (which is still my best selling one) and started my store on Etsy that very next day. It was the perfect platform.
What is the hardest part of owning a shop? I pretty much work 365 days a year. When I work for someone else, I worked a schedule. Now that I work for myself, I work all the time. In today's online world, if you don't get back to someone fast, you could lose the sale. It's very easy for customers to move on to another vendor as there is so much competition, and so much great stuff out there. And, it's very important to me that people are happy with what they receive from me. If I print it and I'm not happy with it, I'll print it again to make it right.
What is one thing unique about you?
About me personally? I used to work for a mining company running heavy equipment...does that count? For 10 years I did that. I used to drive a truck the size of a house. It was a great job!
About my business? Probably the most unique thing about my business is me and the attitude I take when it comes to making stuff for people. I try to make everything perfect for whoever I'm making it for. I try my hardest to make sure people are super happy with what they buy from me. I'll always reprint something if it comes off the printer and I'm not happy about it. Many of my items are only $20.00, but someone worked hard for their $20.00 and if they are giving it to me I want to make sure they get their money's worth. It's really the most important thing to me honestly. If I get a message from someone and they're not happy, or it didn't get there in time it really does bother me. I always do whatever I can to make it right. Is that unique? I don't know. But, it's what's important to me and I find many people in this time just want your money and they don't really care if you like it. Or they take the attitude that it's only $20.00. I really don't like that and I don't do that. It's important to do a good job at whatever you're doing...or why bother doing it.
What is the best part of owning a shop?
Just the fact that I make all the decisions really. I like working for myself, and being the one that makes creative and financial and all other decisions. I like the freedom to be able to choose what I do and how I do it; therefore, I only design items that I really like to make which gives me so much more happiness.
How did you get your shop name?
Just a play on Rock Paper Scissors really. Also, I live in Newfoundland, Canada which is referred to as "The Rock" here in Canada -- as it's a giant rock in the middle of the Atlantic. I print, that's what I do. My husband and I just started writing down words that I liked that related to the business I wanted to do. Through brainstorming, we somehow got to Rock Paper Print early on and I thought it was cute, so I kept it in the back of my mind. We kept trying to find a good memorable name and I kept coming back to that so I just made it so. Everyone has heard of that game so I thought it would be easy to remember.
What is one way that you keep organized?
Plastic Bins! LOL. I have so many plastic bins, one for everything. I love them and I have a ton and they're all labelled and shelved and sorted by color and size. I can't imagine how I'd get by without them. Plus my husband is very organized and he helps me a lot.
How do you balance family life and work life?
Probably not as well as I'd like too...everything gives me "ideas". I can't watch a TV show without thinking "I bet I could make a really cool shirt for that". I have a list on my phone a mile long of ideas for shirts and products for the store so I'm never really "off" when it comes to work. I think I'm just really excited because it's new and so far it's going well, better than I thought it would be. It's not easy when things are still so new and so exciting and there is so much to do.
Isn't Jennifer great?! I just love her excitement about her shop, Rock Paper Printz! She is so genuine and really cares about her customers. This is what Shopping Small is all about!!
