We were lucky to catch up with Alyssa Cook recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Alyssa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
I came up with the idea of a stamp shop after a series of (unplanned) events.
I’ve always had a big love for giving and receiving handwritten cards for birthdays, holidays, etc. (I keep every single card!). So while I was studying for my bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, my mom gifted me card-making and scrapbooking supplies as a birthday gift. I started making my handmade cards with the supplies and opened up an Etsy shop where I listed a few of them. However, the shop was short-lived, as I kept focused on school.
Flash forward to 2019 and my sister was getting married. I helped design and print her day-of stationery goods (ceremony cards, placemat thank yous, etc.). The morning after as we were cleaning up, it was upsetting to see all the waste of these paper goods. It started to make me brainstorm all the ways I could make sustainable, practical stationery goods for weddings. Shortly after this, Lavena Creative Co. was born!
When I started my business, I was offering design services for wedding invitations and day-of stationery goods. What set my offerings apart were the materials I used during the printing and letterpress process (think biodegradable seed paper, EPA Certified Cotton Linter derived paper, etc.). And as a thoughtful, sustainable touch – I also offered return address stamps for the invitation envelopes. It served as a keepsake that the couple could use even after the invitations were out the door. People really liked them.
But then I realized that a return address stamp could serve more than just those getting married. So in 2020, I took another turn at starting an Etsy shop with a few of my return address stamp designs.
Since then, my shop has grown. Today I offer over 25+ wooden rubber & self-inking return address stamps, a variety of ink colors, stamps for businesses, and custom stamps for those who have a logo or existing design.
I felt like this could succeed because the audience for a rubber stamp is wide-reaching – it’s practical for the person getting married, buying a new house, starting a business, giving a gift to a friend, etc.
Alyssa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I think I went into this in the previous question. Oops!
Lavena Creative Co creates hand-crafted self-inking and rubber stamps that help creatives, business owners, new homeowners–and those who like to write a good ol’ letter–a beautiful and sustainable way to personalize and communicate. They help lessen the amount of paper, labels, and costs and encourage people to get a little more crafty, handmade, and have a personal touch on their letters and packaging. They’re also the perfect gift!
Our stamps are practical, down-to-earth, affordable, and well-designed. All stamps are designed and handcrafted in Iowa and made with 100% renewable red rubber. The wooden rubber stamps use sustainable north American wood and have a beautiful engraving on top with the stamp design.
As far as me and my brand – I run my business by myself. My mom helps me package when I need a hand. You may see my dog, Winston, used throughout my brand because he’s a big part of my life :)
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Knowing that people are buying my stamp designs as gifts, for themselves, or their business is one of the most humbling and rewarding aspects of being a creative business owner. It makes me happy knowing that the art of stamping brings joy to others than just myself.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
– I have found that non-creatives sometimes mistake being creative for a hobby. While some creatives may treat their creative projects as a hobby to fill spare time or unwind, I think it’s important to consider that plenty of others have used their creative interests to build businesses that are successful.
– Traditional brick-and-mortar stores are shifting to digital. Once you start to think and appreciate the global online marketplaces you shop at (like Amazon and Etsy) you’ll start to value the creative business owners who are behind the curtain that you can’t see.
-There are SO many forms of creativity—baking, knitting, painting, jewelry-making, etc. With over 8 billion people in this world, each creative niche has an audience of waiting to purchase from you. No creative idea is a dumb idea.
– I would also add that being creative goes so much further than knowing how to make things look good or function well—it seeps into all areas of life and business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/lavenacreativeco
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavenacreativeco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavenacreativeco
- Linkedin: N/A
- Twitter: N/A
- Youtube: N/A
- Yelp: N/A
Image Credits
Christina Ney Photography DVANDCO