Her Big Idea Blog

 I came across Nicole and her business “Pink Loves Brown” and fell in love with her stationery designs and products. As I looked through Nicole’s websites and blog, I discovered this very hip businesswoman is a woman of many talents and would be perfect inspiration for my Featured Friday Segment on HerBigIdea.com.

Here is our interview, please enjoy!

1. Tell me a little bit about your business Pink Loves Brown.
I design stationery and other lovely goods. The business is run out of my home, in which I have a dedicated office and studio space. Everything I create is fun, colorful, graphic, and decidedly feminine!

2. From your website you sound like a woman of many talents. I love your website! It’s simple and understated. You designed your website, correct? How did you get started in web and graphic design?
Thank you! Yes, I designed my website. I’m self-taught. I’ve always been interested in art and math, and I’ve been playing around with coding web sites and doing graphic design since I was a teenager. I consider it fun – digging in to the code, learning new tricks, and producing something beautiful.

3. When did you get interested in selling stationery on your website Pink Love Brown?
I started my business in January 2005, and I think I created my website just a few months later. Since I do know web design, it felt like a natural extension to go ahead and create the site.

4. You recently attended the National Stationery Show, how was it and what did you learn?
It was a fantastic experience. I’ve done craft shows before (like the Renegade Craft Fair), but the National Stationery Show was just so much bigger. It felt incredible to be surrounded by so many talented designers, and to have my own 10×10 space with all of the products I’ve designed!

5. I love the color combination of pink and brown. How did you come up with the name Pink Loves Brown?
When I started my business, I was doing a lot of wedding invitations. Pink and brown are two of my favorite colors, and I liked the idea of “(blank) loves (blank)” because of the wedding aspect. I also wanted something that didn’t directly reference what I was making because I knew that I wanted to have some flexibility to expand into other areas.

6. What products you sell on Pink Loves Brown? And how can a person purchase them?
I create and sell cards, stationery, bookplates, pins, magnets, and pocket mirrors. Everything is available on the website, and we will be adding a listing of stores that will be carrying our goods soon!

7. When did you start your blog, Making it Lovely? What do you enjoy most about blogging?
I started blogging on Making it Lovely in February 2007. I love the sense of community that blogging has. It seems like we all ‘know’ each other, even though most of us have never met! It’s amazing. Each post is like the start of a new conversation.

8. You’re a very busy gal, with your businesses and advertising co-op, how do you find time for yourself, friends and family?
I don’t sleep! Ha. Actually, I’ve become more balanced than I used to be. I’ve spent days upon days working from the time I wake up until I go to sleep. Now I schedule less for myself during busy times with my shop. I only take new web and graphic design clients during the shop’s slower periods. I also try to take more breaks now and spend time away from the computer or the studio. Sometimes I have to force myself to go out instead of staying in and working more, even if it’s just to go for a walk or run errands. I need to get out at least once in a while to maintain my sanity!

9. What advice would you give a woman who wanted to start a business of her own?
Be prepared to put in a LOT of work, and make sure you’re working on something you love. When it comes time to put in the long hours and do the less fun tasks, you don’t want it to be for something you’re only so-so about!

10. You are part of an advertising co-op called Indie Finds. What exactly is Indie Finds and how did you get involved?
We came up with the idea a few years ago. It’s hard for small businesses to afford advertising in magazines and on big online sites, so we decided to band together. All of the businesses on Indie Finds are independently owned and operated, and most have a crafty/handmade aspect. By splitting the cost of a full page in a magazine between 15-20 spots, the ad becomes much more affordable. I handled the graphic design and created an instantly recognizable “Indie Finds” look for the ads. As we did more and more, people were able to spot our ads because of that look. The ads sent traffic to each business’ website and also to the main Indie Finds site. It was a pretty innovative idea, and we’re all pretty proud of it!

11. What are a few of your favorite websites?
I read so many blogs these days, so I’d have to say Google Reader is pretty fantastic. I like to catch up on some of my favorite bloggers, like Pancakes & French Fries, decor8, and This Young House.

12. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for having me!

Thank you Nicole for your insightful answers. Please Technorati and StumbleUpon Nicole’s online stationery shop, Pink Loves Brown and blog, Making it Lovely.

And remember to live your life to aspire and inspire with HerBigIdea.com.

Elaine of Her Big Idea has an Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio and writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.