We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
My mission is to keep us all connected and feel supported during the good, bad, and messy moments of life. It’s easy to fall into the trap of not wanting to say the wrong thing, and therefore not saying anything at all. My cards help bridge that gap by providing the words that make connection and support simple. They lower the barrier to entry so that we can all be there for each other in meaningful ways.
Jessica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I started my business after my husband’s cancer diagnosis. We were just 26 and used humor to get through the tough moments. I noticed the cancer support greeting cards that were available were heavy, and didn’t resonate with our youthful and hopeful outlook on his prognosis. I decided to design cancer support cards that encouraged and empowered through empathy rather than sympathy. My funny, light-hearted, and relevant cards resonated deeply with the young adult cancer population and beyond. My cards gained popularity in hospitals, infusion centers, and more and I was able to support the two of us through my business while Tommy focused on treatments and healing. Cancer is a full-time job and being able to provide this space for him through our finances meant the world to me. After a truly heroic four-year battle, my sweet husband passed away in 2021. Tommy is the reason I started making cards and I will be forever grateful for his belief in me. My mission is to keep us all connected and feel supported during the good, bad, and messy moments of life. A portion of all profits is given to esophageal cancer research in Tommy’s honor.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
You can feel truly powerless when fighting cancer. There is so much out of your hands, so having my business to support the cancer community makes me feel like I’m leading my own tiny rebellion against a disease that took so much from me. Making a difference where I can through the talents I possess is a gift.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I started my social media account to connect with other young adults facing cancer. I didn’t know anyone our age who had experienced anything like what we were going through, so I sought familiarity and guidance online. I got to know the young cancer community very well which helped me personally, but also helped me understand their needs and serve them better through my business. My social media account grew organically from there. I continue to share my life and continue to seek connection which created an audience that supports me deeply.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.fivedotpost.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/fivedotpost
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fivedotpostcards
Image Credits
Corey Rives Visual Art