We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Scolman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Am I happier as a creative? Absolutely! Running my own creative business brings me so much happiness. The freedom to express myself and connect with other creatives through my brand is truly incomparable, and I get to spend quality time with my 3-year-old son beyond just the usual pick-up and bedtime routine. Of course, there are highs and lows, and sometimes, when things slow down, I find myself in panic mode. I might start contemplating a conventional job or freelance work, but then I remind myself that my energy and efforts are best invested in my business.

The challenges: I have ADHD. Finding that out was a real “ah-ha” moment—my friends were like, “DUH.” It explained so much! I don’t see ADHD negatively; it means I’m forgetful and overwhelmed by the swirl of ideas in my head. Time management and distractions are major challenges. Being my own boss is a double-edged sword: I love the freedom but struggle to focus. When I worked for someone else, creativity had to wait until after hours. Now, my energy can feel like it’s bouncing off the walls, but that hyperactivity fuels Rock’N Paper’s creativity. Plus, research shows people with ADHD are 80% more likely to succeed as entrepreneurs, so there’s that!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Long story short: In my teens, I was a punk kid who skipped class, smoked weed, and doodled in my textbooks. Somehow, I managed to graduate high school thanks to art class and electives. Academics were never my strong suit, but put me in an art class, and I was a star student. In college, I studied fashion and graphic design and taught myself photography. I’ve always had creative hobbies—sketching, sewing my outfits (bondage pants and skirts), designing gig and car show flyers, and even welding. Adulthood led me into hot rods and motorcycles, working at hot rod shops, and eventually corporate jobs. Small businesses have always been my jam, helping people launch their ventures. When I left my last job to care for my son, I leaned on my illustration skills for a creative outlet and decided to go all-in on greeting cards. I saw a void in the market for unique, meaningful cards that matched my style and vibe, and Rock’N Paper was born.

Greeting cards inspired by rock ‘n roll and infused with a touch of dark humor, striking the perfect note. They’re designed to be visually appealing—and stand out to the alternative eye. Cards and gift wrap that truly connect with the recipient. If you’re tired of the same cards that don’t reflect your style or your friends’, Rock’N Paper fills that void with something refreshingly different. And here we are—growing in stores, and the feedback I receive at markets is overwhelmingly positive. It’s awesome to know I’m connecting with a community that appreciates the edgy, fun vibe I’m trying to bring to the world of greeting cards.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I can’t stress this enough: finding a community and investing in real education is crucial. I’m not talking about YouTube University—I mean actual coaching classes that you pay for. I could have saved myself loads of money if I had invested more in my education and found a supportive community from the start.

As for drawing, I try to sketch every day, even when I’m not feeling it. I once heard that the difference between a hobbyist and a professional is that one creates when they feel like it, and the other does it even when they don’t. I’m not calling myself a professional artist yet, but I’m really trying.

There are tons of artists sharing tips and tricks, both for free and through paid classes. I’ve always gotten more out of paying for an artist’s time and expertise. Plus, there are plenty of Discord communities and Patreon groups. Just get involved—join a 30-day challenge and stick with it.

For business, I found support in communities like Katie Hunt’s Proof to Product and Cat & Allison’s Ultimate Product Party. These educators have been the most impactful for my business success.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One major lesson I had to unlearn was thinking everything needed to be hand-made for my brand to stay unique. I’ve always loved the tactile fun of creating things with my own hands, but to take Rock’N Paper from a hobby to a thriving business, I needed to make changes.

I started out with a wide-format printer and a Cricut to handle my gift bags, wrapping paper, and stickers. The products were awesome and selling —until the volume of production became overwhelming. The hand-made hustle left me little time to design new products, and the profit did not outweigh the time it took just to fulfill an order. I knew change was needed.

Over a year I slowly shifted away from hand-making but stayed true to my core values: supporting small businesses, choosing sustainable practices, and Made in the USA. I made sure to partner with small manufacturers with the same values and it cut production costs and I am finally seeing a profit!

Now, I can confidently say I run a small business. I might not make everything by hand, but the designs are still mine, and this new chapter feels awesome. The lesson? Growth sometimes means letting go of old habits while still staying true to your values.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rocknpaperco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocknpaperco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocknpaperco

Image Credits

Charlie Tentindo