We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joanna Matanga. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joanna below.
Joanna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.
I love doing business with my family members. I think it requires compartmentalization because it can be easy to get your feelings involved because you’re family. However, being family is also the best part of the operation. Working with those closest to me has brought out the best in me knowing we believe the best about one another.
Pitfalls would include getting every one on board. Sometimes it takes a bit to pitch or convince of an idea.
I would love for my children to join my business without expectation of them taking it over. I would love for them to find their own passions. If their passions cross mine then I’d be excited but would be fine if paper wasn’t it for them.
Joanna, 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 began calligraphy as a way to destress during exam time at UNC – Chapel Hill. I was fond of hand lettering and thought the different ways to manipulate letters was really cool. My first big project was doing my best friend’s wedding invitations (on top of being her Maid of Honor – phew). I loved the process and thought it would be great if I could do this for other people as well. I started developing rapport with local event planners (which is my favorite part) and I completed a variety of client projects that ultimately helped me cultivate my own signature style. I then got bit by the letterpress bug in 2017 when I purchased my first letterpress machine. I then began making greeting cards on my machine (found on Etsy) and am anticipating selling them in local retail shops as well.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Word of mouth and rapport with local businesses has been the biggest thing for me! No matter how much I market or attend events, most of my clientele gets to me because someone likes my personality and work as a friend. This is very heartwarming to me! I love making relationships with other wedding vendors and local businesses!
How’d you meet your business partner?
My cousin :) has been one of my favorite persons since he was born. We grew up together and are about four years apart. He is like a brother to me and I look up to him so much because his creativity is out of this world! I am so thankful for him, he deals with my crazy ideas and doesn’t give up on me. I love you, Michel!
Contact Info:
- Website: safaricalligraphy.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/safaricalligraphy
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SafariCalligraphy
Image Credits
Picture of self: Tierre Peterson (IG: @trp_company)