Having decided to turn Seeds & Dreams into a commercial venture, we knew it was going to be a challenging yet exciting journey. My daughter and I both have a natural tendency towards creativity, but we realized that taking this project to a professional level would require more than just our skills. We needed a design that was not only professional but also adaptable to different tastes and occasions.
Versatility and design
The first step was to come up with a design that could appeal to a wide range of people. This meant thinking carefully about the presentation and overall design of the cards. We also had to consider the materials we would use and how we would incorporate a seed kit into each card. This added an extra layer of complexity to our project.
To get started, I reached out to a few professional designers for help. However, I couldn't find anyone who seemed to understand my vision or who I felt comfortable giving the project to. It was a bit discouraging at first, but it also motivated me to dig deeper into my own creativity.
After much thought and experimentation, I finally came up with a design that felt just right. I decided on a standard base card that could be used for all occasions. To make each card unique, I designed a range of themed panels that could be attached to the base card. This approach allowed me to create a variety of cards suitable for different events and tastes without having to start from scratch each time.
One of the key elements of our cards is that they are handmade. This means that each card has a personal touch which is something I believe people really appreciate. I know it is just my opinion, but I believe if you are going to make a gesture by sending a card you should do it with as much personality as possible - otherwise you are wasting your time and your money.
By assembling the cards ourselves and adding some embellishments, we determined we could maintain that handmade feel while also ensuring each card is of high quality. We are not ashamed to say that our products are for people who share our view and are motivated to make their message both personal and meaningful.
Incorporating the seed kit was another important aspect of our design. We wanted the seeds to be more than just an added bonus; we wanted them to be a central theme that could re-purpose each of our cards as a gift. After some brainstorming, we decided that wildflower seeds would be the perfect choice. Wildflowers symbolize hope and new beginnings, which is a message we wanted to convey through our cards.
If you want to make people think, you have to put thought into it first...
We had always planned to include a page of suggested messages with our greeting cards to help inspire buyers to add a personal touch to their notes. Often, people find it challenging to articulate their feelings or come up with the right words for special occasions. By providing a variety of thoughtfully crafted messages, we hoped to spark creativity and encourage a more meaningful connection between the sender and the recipient.
Accumlating hundreds of quotations and ideas turned out to be a huge amount of work, but we are proud of the result. I doubt any of our suggestions will qualify us as poet laureate, but at least it gives our customers the basis to formulate those special words that truly complete their expression or intent.
A continuous process of learning
The process of developing these cards has been a wonderful learning experience. It has allowed my daughter and me to explore our creative sides while also learning about the practical aspects of running a business. We've faced challenges along the way, but each one has taught us something valuable.
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been seeing our first few customers reactions. People have responded positively to the uniqueness and thoughtfulness of our cards. It's such a small thing, but knowing that our creations are valued by others makes all the hard work worth it.
Looking forward, we are excited about the possibilities for future development. The modular design of our cards means we can easily introduce new base cards and themed panels. And we have a ton of ideas around the symbolism of seeds. This flexibility allows us to keep our offerings fresh and exciting while continuing to meet the diverse needs of our customers.
While it's still very early in our project, turning our card-making hobby into a commercial initiative has been an incredible experience. It has required creativity, perseverance, and a willingness to learn and adapt. We are proud of what we've achieved so far, and we are excited about the future of our venture. We hope that our cards continue to bring a little bit of happiness and inspiration to everyone who receives them.
We are grateful to everyone that has supported us on this journey and for helping us to grow.
