Crafty calligraphy meets beautiful business cards
We’re complete suckers for beautiful handwriting, and if you’re anything like us, you will be too! We were totally blown away by these two calligraphers – their wonderful talent, modern take on the craft and their way of incorporating their work into their business cards.
Meet Shelly and Mai – these wonderful ladies both specialize in modern calligraphy, each putting their own touch on the craft and each kind enough to share the story behind their businesses and stunning designs. We hope they’ll inspire you as much as they did us – we’re off to brush up on our handwriting!
Letters By Shells
Shelly Kim is a modern calligrapher based in Southern California. Shelly has always had a love for crafts and typography and first started teaching herself modern calligraphy back in 2015 – her purpose was to spread positivity by sharing quotes on social media. Shelly believes in motivating and uplifting one another, which is one of the main reasons she created Letters By Shells.
Before she started her calligraphy journey, Shelly was working full-time in a corporate office but she knew it wasn’t for her. She now guides undergraduate students, helping them discover their career path and is studying for her masters degree in the same field.
Shelly combines her love of teaching with her love of calligraphy – she hosts workshops in the OC and LA area at the weekends, teaching others the beauty of brush lettering. Her practice sheets and guides on how to get started can also be bought from her Etsy shop. Shelly’s inspiration comes from meeting new people, friends, family, and from other artists and calligraphers. She’s constantly looking for new ways to spread positive vibes through her lettering.
When it came to creating her cards, Shelly told us: “I really wanted to represent and incorporate my personality into my business cards. It was important that my business cards and the color scheme matched my work. I still use my original logo from when I first started modern calligraphy – it’s a constant reminder of the journey I’ve been on and how much I’ve grown. I love the Original Square Business Cards with a matte finish and the Gold Foil Square Business Cards. My cards represent who I am and the work that I do. It’s everything I expected my business card to be, and more! I’m impressed by the quality of the paper and print – MOO was able to capture my vision and turn it into a reality!
Put your personality onto Square Business Cards
Oh Mai! Art Creations
Mai Tran, based in San Diego, runs her own boutique art studio – Oh Mai! Art Creations (aka OMAC). She offers custom calligraphy and design services ranging from envelope addressing to entire wedding invitation suites, vintage wooden pieces and chalkboard art.
Mai is drawn to natural elements like greenery, succulents, and florals and whilst she often finds inspiration in her day-to-day, most of Mai’s inspiration is drawn from her clients: “I love listening to their visions and ideas and hearing the excitement in their voices. I take all of it in as part of my creative process. My ‘art creations’ tell a story about a person/persons or event through something I design. It’s unique. It may not significantly change the world, but each piece allows a person to see their story in their hands”.
“I’m an artist, calligrapher, designer and illustrator, and I wanted my business cards to reflect all of that without being “text” heavy. I love that I was able to upload multiple photos of my artwork on the back of each business card – plus there’s no upcharge for it, which is even sweeter! Most importantly, when I give my business cards out, I can pick the one that represents the service the client wants. Each business card is essentially a mini, portable portfolio”.
Mai chose Standard Business Cards in a matte finish: “I prefer the matte finish, because it has a more natural and organic feel to it. The paper stock is good – it doesn’t tear or bend easily and the printing quality is excellent! My #MOOcards do an excellent job of representing me as an artist, calligrapher, designer and illustrator. Plus, people really get excited about the rounded corners – it’s such a small detail but adds a special little touch. My cards are very professional but still have that personal touch and “OMAC” style and flair”.
Create your portable portfolio with Printfinity
Nikki Farquharson is a freelance illustrator specialising in creating abstract and patterned art and typography by hand. She’s worked with big brand names such as Malibu Rum and MAC Cosmetics but where did the courage to go it alone come from and how did she get her first big client?
Tell us about your business
I’m a freelance illustrator. I fell into commercial illustration towards the end of my degree when I was given my first commission – I couldn’t believe that somebody wanted to pay me to do something I loved – and when I realised commercial illustration was a viable avenue, I stuck with it, and began doing lots of illustration work for domestic and international brands.
You specialise in abstract illustration and typography, drawn by hand – have you always worked in this way?
I studied graphic design at university, I particularly loved minimalistic design. While studying, I began to resent it for all the rules, which is what made me find my passion for illustration and abstract hand drawn work. I find illustration to be a lot more expressive, which compelled me to do more of it. I think it’s a lot freer to be able to just sit and draw as opposed to following design rules.
Where did the ambition and drive to start your own business come from?
Because I studied graphic design I assumed I’d be working a 9-5 job in a studio when I graduated. When I realised there was another pathway – to go it alone – I guess I just took the leap. My main goal is to express myself and to be really happy with what I’m creating, then, if other people like it it’s a bonus.
You’ve worked with some incredible clients; how did you get your work noticed?
I guess it was all a domino effect. It originally began when It’s Nice That published some of my work while I was still a student. My first client came from somebody seeing me on their website, and it followed suit in a similar way from client to client. The first major brand was Malibu Rum – they’d seen some of my mixed media work – a combination of illustration and photography.
Most of my commissions come from word of mouth but keeping your website up to date, having a social presence and a digital portfolio is really important – MAC cosmetics found me through my website.
How do you fulfil clients’ needs while still staying true to your own style?
Staying true to yourself can be hard when working with clients. When I was working with Malibu, they wanted to go down a photography and illustration route. I didn’t feel it was right for their product so I steered them towards my abstract illustration work. I always ensure I spend time working with my clients to get to a final outcome that really responds to their needs, but also stays true to my aesthetic and style.
What’s been your favorite client project and why?
I enjoy every job for different reasons. I collaborated with a photographer on a digital project which was a new medium for me. I still created all my illustrations by hand, and then digitised the artwork. It took me a while to find my way around Photoshop, which was really enjoyable because it was a completely new way for me to work. It’s nice when a project pushes you to experiment with something new.
How are you focusing on building and promoting your brand?
I like my work to speak for itself – it’s often colourful and bright. Promoting myself doesn’t really come naturally to me, which is something I’m trying to work on at the moment. I sometimes struggle with the business side of things – I’m an artist first and foremost.
At the moment, I’m working on building my online store. I’m creating greeting cards, gift paper and prints, but hoping to venture into patterned artwork on different textures, such as head wraps or tapestries – I love it when my illustrations actually become the final product! I want to create products that are as close to flat, ink on paper pieces as possible.
Do you use social media to promote yourself?
I do, Instagram is definitely my favorite as it allows me to show the process behind my work. As everything is hand drawn, there’s a lot that goes into each piece. I find that people really enjoy seeing the development of a piece and being part of my creative journey.
How do you use MOO?
I pride myself on producing high quality work; from the art itself right the way through to the packaging. I include my Luxe Business Card in every order as well as a MiniCard as a ‘thank you’ note. Every package is then sealed with a Sticker with my logo on it. It’s important for me to show a genuine sense of love and care when packaging my work and MOO helps me achieve that.
What’s next for you?
I’ve always wanted to use my art to express my own personal views on politics and social issues, so I’m currently working on some politically inspired typographic prints to sell in my online store – I’ve just finished a piece centred around the word “Resist”, inspired by the recent political goings-on.
What are your tips for aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to start their own business?
I always go back to how I felt at uni whenever somebody asks me this question. I remember showing my tutor some of my illustrations – I got told to put them aside and stick to graphic design. Negative criticism has a way of crippling people. Stick to what you love, don’t let anyone deter you from your ambitions, goals or passions. It really is about believing in yourself first.
Give your unboxing experience the seal of approval with Stickers
You know you can’t just schedule an open house and expect people to show up, but it can be hard to know where to get started and what to do to get more people at your open houses. Check out these 5 quick tricks to make the most of your listings – you’ll be a pro in no time.
Market your open house
The most important thing you’ll need to do is make sure that people actually know you’re hosting an open house. This is where marketing is going to come in — social media marketing, specifically, is great because of the scale at which you can reach people and the low overhead. (We’ll also touch on a few other marketing options as we go along!)
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Visual platforms, like Instagram and Snapchat, are especially well-suited to marketing real estate. Instagram is great for gorgeous photos that really show off a space, and Snapchat is more suited towards candid photos or videos (or a walking tour of the space).
- Don’t forget the “Live” options of all the standard social media outlets. Instagram and Facebook both offer these now, and they notify all of your followers when you start broadcasting, which can make it more likely that curious people will tune in.
- Facebook is still the giant in the social media space, and you can capitalize on it for open houses by not only going live and posting on your Facebook page, but also creating a Facebook event and inviting people to it. (Make sure to only invite potentially interested people — nobody likes an invite spammer!) Facebook also notifies users of events near them or events that their friends are interested in, which can help the organic reach of your event.
Get the neighbors on board
Nobody wants their open house railroaded by cranky neighbors, and neighbors can be just as much of a marketing asset as you can. To get the neighbors on your side, you’ll want to let them know about the open house as early as possible. Keep them informed about the time and date (including when you’ll be ending) and where you’ll be telling people to park.
If you really want to get on their good side, you can bring a small gift when you meet them and introduce yourself (a few pastries from a local bakery or a scented candle, for example). This is also a great opportunity to drop off any business cards or flyers about the event, so they can pass them out to people who might be interested!
Get buyers the details
Ideally, potential buyers will be able to spend most of their time at the open house checking out the space and neighborhood, without having to ask basic questions that can be answered ahead of time. To help out with that, you should make sure viewers have all the information in hand ahead of time.
Make sure you’re including the basic information like the floorplan and square footage on flyers (and on any online event postings), along with your business card and contact information so that people can easily follow up with you when they’re interested.
Create day-of collateral
On the day of your open house, you’ll want to have marketing collateral available that tells visitors all the things that can be hard to remember. Your collateral should include (but not be limited to):
- The floorplan and square footage
- Information on local amenities, like schools, parks, and so on (you could also add in information on local bike-friendliness, the walk score, and/or information on public transit, depending on your customer and property)
- Proximity to local attractions (if you’re marketing to business professionals, for example, proximity to both the local airport and downtown offices would be a good thing to list)
- You’ll want to put all of this information on something that visitors can easily stick in their purse or pocket (Postcards anyone?). That way, people can do more research on their own time. Don’t forget to include your contact information, along with a prompt to sign up for email and/or follow for social media updates.
Follow Up
Follow up is a crucial part of the sales process in every industry, and real estate is no different. Make sure to have something in place where potentially interested buyers can log their information (like a guest book or sign-in sheet), and collect the information of people who express interest in the event beforehand via platforms like Facebook or Eventbrite. If you want to get more organized in your follow-up process, you can use a tool like Streak or Contactually to reach out to warm leads, or something like MailChimp to manage your overall email marketing process.
Ready for your next open house? Make the most of your listings with Postcards
It’s not just us that love to send a Postcard – we also wanted to share these 3 businesses who are totally making the most of their versatility! From showcasing a portfolio to writing a personal thank you notes, Postcards are the real heroes here.
Meet 3 beautiful brands who specialize in creating and teaching art, graphic design and craft – each kind enough to share the story behind their businesses and stunning designs. We hope they’ll inspire you as much as they did us.
Tara Leaver
Tara Leaver is an artist, online art teacher, and creative encourager working from her attic studio by the sea on the south coast of England. Tara makes her own art, and creates and teaches online courses focused on helping others uncover and develop their own unique, artistic self-expression.
Tara’s Postcards are from a series called Moments of Freedom where she continues to explore the theme of freedom by playing with quick impressions gathered from sketches of the harbour at St Ives in Cornwall. She’s been selling the series exclusively on Instagram. She said: “I love writing cards featuring my own work – it makes it more personal while helping to spread the word in a low-key way”. Tara also uses the cards herself: “It’s a way for me to keep my favourite works after they’ve been sold”.
Both Tara’s art and the courses she offers are based on the premise of making art as an expression of freedom. She told us: “This focus emerged after a personal epiphany about my own art and lifestyle, as well as years of seeing people struggle to express what’s truly theirs.” So while her own art is about her personal exploration of what freedom means, the courses she runs offer ways for others to find their own artistic freedom of expression.
Tara’s cards are printed in a matte finish: “the cards are so soft and tactile, and the quality is excellent – nice and sturdy and beautiful to write on. The reproduction quality is amazing too – the best I’ve found for colour accuracy”.
Make your own mini works of art
Thomas Sturm
Thomas Sturm is a designer based in Salzburg, Austria. He works for design agency, KISKA and freelances on smaller side-projects in his spare time.
Thomas gives his Postcards out to new clients that he works with or has worked with in the past – the cards have multiple purposes for him – they act as his personal business cards and greeting cards that he can write personalized messages on.
He wanted to have a little goodie to hand over to his customers, to say thank you and to highlight his main focus whilst working as a freelance designer: “to always try to embrace the good times, the fun that often comes with freelancing and that I’m thankful to get to do the work I’m doing”.
Thomas loves the permanent element of print – being able to create something that will stand the test of time, living on beyond his digital creations. “Print is something real – it’s not a draft on your screen or something you can change if you’re not into it anymore. When it’s done, it’s done. And, of course, it’s personal”.
Thomas continues: “I could send the exact same cards via email instead of printing them – it would say the same thing. But at the end of the day, it’s not the same. Print is much more personal, something that someone has put effort into making.”
Thomas decided on the Luxe Postcards after ordering a sample pack: “I felt like the Luxe Postcards were the right thing to go with, especially with the yellow layer of paper in between – it goes well with the graphical elements embedded in my artwork. Most people I hand my Postcards over to don’t necessarily have the same attention to detail as I do when it comes to paper (compared to people who work in the same field as me). Still, the quality and the haptic aspects can be felt by everyone – this is what matters. So far, I’ve only heard positive reactions to my cards”.
TWO ME
Isabella Strambio founded her blog TWO ME a year ago as a way of documenting her amazing journey as she learns 12 crafts in 12 months. In October last year, Isabella started running workshops across London, along with few in Dubai.
Isabella started with macrame wall hangings, plant holders, crochet and weaving. It was after Isabella’s first workshop that she realized she could turn TWO ME into a side business running alongside her day job as an Interior Designer.
Isabella has collaborated with chefs and photographers, and is also busy planning her biggest workshop – a one-day Wabi-Sabi styling and making workshop in London, in collaboration with her friend Silvia, a photographer, food stylist and vegan chef.
Isabella designed her MOOcards as she was getting a constant stream of people asking for information about her and her workshops. Printed with a Matte finish on one side, Postcards are the perfect medium to showcase her crafts and write personal thank you messages. They also act as business cards as she prints her contact details on every card.
Megan and Robbie, founders of Wool Days and winners of the Frankie Small Business award are truly inspiring! We caught up with them to find out how they’re working to revive an old-fashioned industry by introducing fresh ideas and sustainable thinking.
Megan Elizabeth and Robbie Andrew – winners of the Frankie Small Business Award – founded Wool Days, an online store offering cloud-like yarns, seasonal knit kits, patterns and events.
Wool Days provides access to good wool by working directly with passionate local farmers and craft mills to support the almost extinct local industry. Megan and Robbie pride themselves in producing world class yarns for knitters, timeless knitwear for the fashion-conscious and wool for designers and manufacturers.
Megan has an amazing passion for the product: “Nothing feels better than wool on skin. Soft, dense, warm, squishy – it’s the ultimate hug. It also happens to be quite a remarkable resource. I think it’s the love-child of a super-high-tech fibre from the future and a cloud. And, it’s all made from grass and sunshine”. What can be better than that?
Megan and Robbie are striving to keep wool modern and timeless in a world where this wonder-fibre is misunderstood and considered irrelevant as we look to create modern sustainable alternatives. But how are they doing this? We spoke to them to find out.
Where did the drive and ambition to start your own business come from?
Wool is my passion and my pleasure and throughout all my adventures, it was the one constant. I’ve always loved knitting so naturally, I absorbed everything I found about the fibre and the industry.
I was disappointed that there weren’t any businesses out there celebrating this incredible fibre – it’s such an important story to explore and I wanted to support it. I was desperate for someone to introduce transparency into an ‘old fashioned’ industry, but more than that, I felt it needed someone to introduce fresh ideas and sustainable thinking. No one ever did. So I started my business as I didn’t want to wait any longer for someone else to do it.
How do you use brand to help beat off competition and stand out from the crowd?
Branding is how the world experiences a story. And our story is one of inspiration, authenticity, simplicity and romance. For me, the most important part is how this translates into imagery, packaging, font and communication in the most authentic and engaging way. I want engagements with our brand to be an experience, and in turn hopefully leading to a deeper understanding and connection with our story.
I don’t think of other brands as competition, I think of them as all the other story books in the library, there to be appreciated and enjoyed. Having said that, we all judge a book by its cover. And the ones with the most eye-catching, witty, considered look will be picked up and read more than the misspelt, mismatched, I-can’t-tell-what-it’s-about-from-looking-at-the-cover books.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
We live in a beautiful world, a world of hope, triumphs and connections. But in the rush of daily life it’s so easy to forget this, and in doing so we are destroying it. I don’t want the world to forget how beautiful our home is. That’s what inspired me.
Your packaging is made from 100% post-consumer recycled Australian paper and your business is managed entirely online – how important is this to you as part of your overall brand proposition?
We have a very clear message – wool is a remarkable resource, first and foremost because of its simplicity. So the rest of our business needs to support that message – remarkable-ness through simplicity. There is absolutely no way I would let the ‘rest’ of the business (packaging, storage, office space, power) drag down the team.
How do you use MOO to tell the Wool Days story?
One of the biggest questions on a new online business owner’s mind has got to be whether business cards are still relevant or not – I spent most of the first year running my business without them. I felt like an absolute clown each time I met someone who asked me if they could have a business card because they were interested in what I was doing, or they wanted to buy something or they liked my style and wanted to take a little piece of me home with them. I had to say no, sorry I don’t have any. My response wasn’t generally met warmly but I knew this had to change. I’ve since got myself some swanky, impressive looking business cards thanks to MOO and I’ve made lots more friends and the brand experience feels more complete now!
What are your tips for aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to start their own business?
Know your ‘why’ because it’s not going to be easy and it’s not going to be quick, but it will absolutely be worthwhile if you believe in what you’re doing. Open a notebook or a Google doc and get down some ideas about what you want your business to be. Everyone who starts a business knows 1 thing they want for every 99 things they don’t. Once you’re clear on that just start.
Complete your brand experience with business cards
Want more inspiration? Find out how Sarah, director of Geo Heaven got her unique 6-11 jewellery business of the ground
MOO has teamed up with Pottery Barn Australia and Dandy Moon to create a limited edition Mother’s Day cards. We chatted to Kristy, owner of Dandy Moon to find out more.
Kristy Reive, also known as Dandy Moon is a letterer, stylist and creative consultant based in Sydney, Australia. Armed with her love of handwriting and styling, she took the plunge and started her own business in 2012.
Expressing her love for styling via social media has attracted attention. Dandy Moon has been featured in magazines such as ‘Gourmet Traveller’, ‘Hooray Magazine’, ‘Glimpse’ and ‘The Collective Hub’ where she was the June 2016 takeover artist.
She’s now teamed up with Pottery Barn Australia and MOO to create a gorgeous limited edition Mother’s Day card. We caught up with her to find out more about the inspiration behind her business, and work.
Tell us about Dandy Moon – what was the inspiration behind the business?
It all started with the name – Dandy Moon has been my nickname for years now. I studied interior design and went on to work in event styling where I was creating a lot of handwritten place cards. I worked a short stint in Berlin which really inspired me and I was like ‘ok it’s time to do this for real!’ I’m constantly finding handwritten inspiration – there’s so many talented people out there doing their thing!
How important is brand to you and how do you use it to stand out from the crowd?
Branding is one of my favorite subjects and interests – it’s super important. I like to make sure everything has a consistent and strong style so that people know it’s my work. I want it to have ‘me’ written all over it without actually having to say it. I always use the same baby pink color palette – you’ll see this is in most of my designs, across my website, on gift cards and social media.
Of course, there will always be competition out there so it’s good to stand out – even if it’s just by including a cool little freebie that people will hold onto and remember.
Tell us about the Mother’s Day card you’re creating for Pottery Barn?
I’m really excited about the Mother’s Day card I created for Pottery Barn. When I was working on the designs, I was constantly thinking, ‘is this something I’d want to give to my own mum?’ There’s something so nice about the red and baby pink color combination.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
It comes from Pinterest and Instagram mainly. I love being out and about and seeing what is going on – travel is a major inspiration for me!
What’s your best tip for someone wanting to start their own business?
Just get started. Everyone has to start somewhere and who knows where it will take you?
Shop in store or online at Williams-Sonoma’s Pottery Barn, Australia between 24th April and 14th May to receive Dandy Moon’s limited edition Mother’s Day card.
Helen Greenstein has made felt editions of more than 120 MOO crew – and we are in love with each and every one of them. We met her to find out more about her inimitable skill, and to find out where 3 of the felt portraits are now
Oh, we’ve never felt so good!
Visit us at our London HQ, and one of the first things you’ll see is a wall of tiny portraits – photos of felt portrait dolls. These are commissioned as a special thank you from one of our favourite customers and long-time collaborators, Helen Greenstein.
Helen, who works in Atlanta, Georgia, has made over 120 dolls in the image of MOO employees – it’s a gift we give people on their 2nd anniversary with the company. And she’s celebrating some of them herself over on Instagram at the moment under the tag #100DaysofDolls.
Each doll takes Helen around 20 hours to make – we take a photo of the relevant MOOster and send over to her. And, best of all, the more details the better. Helen’s made everything from tiny coke cans, football shirts, intricate tartans, jewellery and a guitar. As she says, “I’m all about the accessories.
But where are these dolls now? To celebrate 3 years of their production, we tracked down 3 of her alumni to find out where they are now… and what they’ve been up to since they shipped over from Atlanta.
Blanca Sabas Pascual – Ecommerce Marketing Manager, rocker of excellent biker jackets
Blanca and her doll portrait live and work side-by-side every day. And sometimes that means travelling side by side too. Blanca says: “She’s been everywhere with me – at home, in the office, and even back to Spain with me to see my mum. When I went back to Spain I made sure I was wearing the same outfit. It wasn’t hard – I’ve worn a biker jacket since I was 16. It’s my trademark!”
Blanca-the-doll added: “I’m a very efficient traveller. I pack a tight suitcase, and since I slot straight in the baggage scanner, I’m often through security a lot faster than she is. Gives me time to relax with a gin and tonic before wheels-up.”
Phil Thomas – Senior Product Designer, fan of dinosaurs
Phil had no problem choosing what his portrait doll should wear. “It had to be a dinosaur, as I had just started my own Dinosaur T-Shirt business (because I love dinosaurs),” he explained. “It’s called TEE-REX.”
Little Phil lives at home – he doesn’t get chance to come into the office that often. “It sounds a little self obsessive but my doll sits on my mantle piece inside a glass bell jar, to protect it,” Phil added.
Little Phil couldn’t be reached for comment.
Matt Avery – Lead Designer, percussion botherer
Matt’s all about design, colour and noise – of the best possible kind. His doll portrait is as elegantly dressed as he always is, complete with his very own tiny drum machine. Matt says: “I didn’t have to think too long about what I wanted my doll to wear – but I did have to think super hard about his accessory.”
“As well as being one of MOO’s creative leads, I’m a musician – so I could have picked anything from a Wacom tablet to a grand piano. That might have been a bit of a mean ask of Helen, mind.”
Mini-Matt said: “I’ve finally managed to get a bit of space to call my own so I could set this studio up. I tried to get room to compose on Matt’s desk but he wasn’t having it. Creative differences, you might say. I’m currently working on getting some bookings in. I’ve got a mate who swears he can introduce me to Todd Terje. Have you checked out my Soundcloud?”
Check out more of Eleni Creative’s amazing work
And, if you’d like a doll of your own, check out MOO’s current vacancies
Not got a mentor yet? Maybe it’s time you got one. Having a mentor has all kinds of benefits, from profitability to peace of mind, not to mention a bit of much-needed company in this entrepreneurial journey.
Why would you want a mentor?
Plenty of people manage to be successful without a mentor — so you might wonder, why should you go through the trouble of finding one?
To set big goals — and then hit them.
Even if a person is only a few years down the line from you, they’ll have experiences that you can learn from. Not only can a mentor encourage you to set bigger goals (many of us, especially at the start of our careers, tend to limit ourselves!), they can also help you break down the big goal into smaller steps.
Breaking a big goal down into less-intimidating steps is helpful, but so is going over those steps (and when you’ll do them) with someone else. Multiple studies have shown that writing down or saying out loud not just that you will do something, but when and where you’ll do it, makes you much more likely to actually do it. Having a mentor can help you stick to that process, and gives you someone to hold you accountable.
To keep you focused on the big picture.
When you’re stuck in the day to day, keeping an eye on the big picture — not just this quarter, but also this year, the next five years, you name it — can feel impossible. You need an outside point of view to help you stay focused on your overall goals, and remind you what you’re working towards.
It’s also helpful to have someone around who can point out when you are making progress and can’t see it. When you’re taking smaller actions over time, it’s easy to feel like you aren’t making any progress at all — this is when having another person around to remind you of the progress you’re making comes in handy.
To give you a reality check.
Even if you’re doing your own research to stay up on industry trends, there are things you might miss without the insight of someone who’s been there. However much research you do, it can be easy to make mistakes about product development, time estimates and shipping costs. Over time, marginal errors can really add up.
Even if they’re not enough to sink the campaign or product, they can add a lot of unnecessary stress. With the guidance of someone who’s been there and done that, you’ll be able to dodge more of the pitfalls.
In addition to giving you “been there, done that, here’s what you need to know and definitely shouldn’t do” insight, a good mentor can also help you realize when you’re making a mountain out of a molehill, or when you’re potentially creating future problems by procrastinating on something right now. Having that outside perspective can make a huge difference.
Where to find a mentor (and what to look for)
Personal referrals and networking events or professionally-oriented meetups can give you a leg up in finding a mentor, but there are other options, too — including organizations that specialize in mentor relationships.
Here are a few organizations that can help match you with a mentor:
- MicroMentor pairs up entrepreneurs with mentors for free
- The National Mentoring Partnership helps with mentors across all areas of life, including career
- Score matches people with mentors locally and online
You can also check with your local chamber of commerce and small business organizations — they often have mentorship programs Virtual mentors are also on the rise. In particular, Slack groups are a great way to meet people, network, and get advice from peers at your level or a few years ahead of you. Good luck!
Want to achieve a vibrant culture with flexible working? Check out our 5 tips
We created MOO Business Services to help larger companies streamline their print ordering process. Now, instead of ordering new business stationery for your business for hours, you can have more time to do what you love.
Here’s how MOO Business Services can help your company of ten or more people:
1. Dedicated account management
You’ve already eaten dinner at your desk, and you know that you have more work to do. The last thing you want is to spend a few hours ordering Business Cards. Luckily, you don’t have to. Because with MOO Business Services, you get a dedicated Account Manager. This customer service superhero will help you upload the designs for your print materials, and then make your first purchase.
In a few weeks, after your employees have inevitably networked their way through their Business Cards, your Account Manager will help you order more. You’ll even get a custom ordering platform created just for your company, loaded with your own design templates.
2. Custom design services
We want your brand to look its best. That’s why we offer custom design services that will help your company put its best foot forward. Not sure how to lay out your Business Cards? MOO’s here to help. Our team can create custom templates with your company’s branding. All your team has to do is log in to the account, plug in their contact info, and order away.
And if you’re really stuck, or if you don’t have an in-house design team, we offer consultations on design and branding. Our Creative Team will provide you with proofs of your designs at every step of the way to make sure we get it right. We’re sure we will. We’ll even upload your templates to the platform to make the ordering process even easier.
3. Easy ordering
Our Business Services ordering platform is faster, better, and simpler than ever before. All you and your team need to do is choose a template, customize it with personal details, and hit ‘reorder.’
Yep. That’s it.
Need to reorder another item, like your brand Letterhead or event Postcards? Just hit a different product tab and update the necessary info. A few days later, your MOO products will arrive on your office doorstep, just like magic.
After all that fun, you probably don’t want to think about invoicing. That’s why we made the process so easy. For large brands, employees can simply log into their company’s MOO platform and order new print products as needed. Then, your company will be billed automatically. Yup, it’s that easy.
Whatever your company’s design needs are, MOO Business Services is here for you 24/7.
Tell your brand story with MOO Business Services
At MOO, we’ve been helping people make their mark in the world with amazing quality print products for over a decade. And as our customers have grown, so has our service offering. That’s why for bigger businesses—with 10+ employees—we now offer MOO Business Services. It’s MOO + benefits. MOO Business Services combines dedicated account management with an easy online ordering platform and expert design services. It’s a complete package for businesses to give you more brand control and consistency—while saving you time, stress, and money in the process.
Fill out the form here and a friendly Account Manager will reach out to you.