NY NOW Podcast

The Paper Plane Cocktail Hour: She’s gonna need a Bigger Booth!

• NY NOW • Season 1 • Episode 87

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Sometimes what you see before you is only part of the picture. If you spy a Dahlia Press card for example, you are experiencing only one design dimension of the immensely talented and prolific creator behind it, Stephanie Clarke. Stephanie does not only maintain the Dahlia Press studio shop in Seattle, she has also founded a second brand, Chloe Clarke, The Art of Paper: Bespoke Invitations for Weddings & Events. She also uses her platform and with other likeminded designers, finds time to advance women’s rights however she can. Listen in as Stephanie shares with both Amy and Sarah her path, her passions, and her need for a bigger booth at the NY NOW market this August. This extra-special Summer Show episode is not to be missed!

RESOURCES   
Guest Websites:   
https://www.dahliapress.com/

| NY NOW:
https://nynow.com     

| NY NOW Podcast Page:
https://nynow.com/podcast     


Thank you for podcasting with NY NOW! We look forward to connecting with you across all our platforms and seeing you in person!
Website: nynow.com
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Amy Loewenberg:

So hello everyone and welcome to the paper plane cocktail hour. I'm one of your hosts Amy Lowenberg, senior relations manager for New York now, community spotlight podcaster and all around retailer advocate. My focus is to bring you important information, conversations and perspectives from both sides of the aisle.

Sarah Schwartz:

And I am your co host Sarah, the paper nerd. I am the founding editor and editor in chief of stationary trends magazine. I also write about stationery on my site, the paper nerd. And if that doesn't grab you, I even hosted another podcast on the topic. I have been covering the stationery and gift industry since 1997. But Never did I imagined that I'd one day be covering the market here in the virtual space.

Amy Loewenberg:

So if you're out 2022 Sara and I will be raising our glasses alongside our pencils as we share stories, compare notes, and celebrate three of our all time favorite topics, stationery connection and cocktails.

Sarah Schwartz:

Cheers, cheers. So longtime paper planes, listeners already know that we divided 2022 into phases in the first quarter we exempted examined members of our community in their initial phase of their careers. And in May, as the second quarter began, we moved to the next phase which really can be just as challenging as getting established. And this our extra special summer New York now episode marks the end of our second phase who?

Amy Loewenberg:

Absolutely so for makers, there's really no resting on your laurels during this all important chapter of their trajectory. It can be extremely daunting to have an audience that is waiting to be dazzled, as they have been trained to expect. But that's why I think today's guest is so perfect for this summer New York nail market episode. Sarah, why don't you spill the beans on who we're having for cocktails on this balmy August evening?

Sarah Schwartz:

Gladly, Amy, as you just mentioned, we wanted to feature a maker who can be experienced live and in person when the New York now Mark summer market opens its feign doors in just a few short days. And while Dahlia press fits the bill, I think everyone who has experienced this powerhouse brand will agree that these offerings are extraordinary without being even a little bit extra.

Amy Loewenberg:

That Dahlia press magic is all due to the owner and designer Stephanie Clark, who runs her letterpress studio and retail shop in Seattle. She also founded Chloe Clark, the art of paper, a boutique bespoke wedding stationery design studio. But lest you think her success was not the result of a lot of hard work, Japanese entrepreneurial adventure actually began in 2008. That was when she left the corporate world I find that a lot of our beautiful amazing designer artists are leaving the corporate world just

Sarah Schwartz:

leave and come to us

Amy Loewenberg:

over come over. So she left the corporate world to pursue her passion of designing custom wedding invitations. However, she never dreamed that her work would be featured in The New York Times. Domino magazine and the nod are that her social stationery and greeting card lines would one day be shopped in anthropology and Urban Outfitters.

Sarah Schwartz:

Wow. But as we're seeing here, Dreams really do come true. In the 14 years since its inception, Dahlia press has achieved a certain omniscience in the stationery world. But Stephanie has even more up her sleeve in addition to her sister stationery companies, Stephanie is an accomplished commercial designer with over 18 years of design experience. She has an extensive portfolio of impactful visual identities, logo strategies, interior store environment designs, brand websites and digital content for several high visibility companies including Starbucks, phenomenal woman and Marmot. Stephanie holds degrees in both art history and design, which really makes sense once you get a gander at her marvelous offerings. In her free time what free time she enjoys exploring Seattle with her husband Chris and her hudl Nova and dedicating her time and talents towards women's rights. It almost goes without saying that Stephanie is one of my personal favorite paper notes.

Amy Loewenberg:

Oh my god minute too. So come on. What are we waiting for? Let's just bring her on. Well, hey, Stephanie, thank you so much for joining saronite today.

Stephanie Clark:

Oh, absolutely, it's my pleasure. Thank you for having me.

Amy Loewenberg:

We're excited to to jump into this conversation. So let's get it started. So most of our listeners are familiar with Dahlia press, but Dahlia press has a sister brand. Clearly Clark the art of paper, bespoke invitations for wedding and events. Your letterpress Atelier, I hope I said that right? invitations are as exquisite as your letterpress ready to wear stationery at Dahlia. But each has a distinct brand. So what was the reasoning behind this decision?

Stephanie Clark:

So Dahlia press was kind of really born out of a desire to create letterpress invitations. And that was really where my business started. And it wasn't until a number of years later, when I launched a line of greetings and giftable items in both our retail space as well as available for wholesale, that I was kind of able to tap into that other side of me aside that's maybe a little more relatable to the general public. And not just the bridal community. Our greetings are beautifully crafted, but they're also not as refined or polished. As our invitation suites, they're a lot more playful and fun and even a little bit cheeky at times. And I really kind of always design with the thought of perfectly imperfect in the back of my head, because I want our gradients to feel more human and more relatable. So before, when the two sides of my business kind of cohabitated together, I found it really difficult to speak to my customers in a cohesive brand voice that really resonated to both sides of the business, especially when it came to marketing. You know, it's, it's not easy to promote our best selling your the tips card, and then also on like top 10 do's and don'ts of wedding stationery etiquette. It can be a hard sell. A lot of brands can kind of carry that load successfully. But I really struggled with how to get that messaging across. So by decoupling the two brands, we're really able to bring the greeting card line to life and meaningful way and offer a little something for everyone, not just the bride. And at the same time, on the invitation side, we're able to kind of redefine the types of invitation work we want to do. In our retail space, we used to have customers come in who would want to just flip through a book of ready made invitations with a quick turnaround. And that's not really the type of invitation work I do i i want it to be this longer collaborative experience where we get to go through the design process together. And we use you know, very luxury printing methods. And so by having a brand that's specific to invitations, I can't really control that the type of work I take on and how much I take on so that I can make space for Dahlia, press and maintain our product release schedule.

Amy Loewenberg:

Got it. So that kind of makes sense. And you almost you touched on it a little bit before about like how one brand may inform the other brands like what you're able to kind of take over into invitations and what you're able to take from invitations over into you know, your your your greeting card world. Are there other than like your the tips cards, like is there? Is there anything that you feel is interchangeable that you have found that you've been able to do that with?

Stephanie Clark:

Yeah, I mean, they certainly inform one another in certain ways. And you know, when the brands themselves have their own established aesthetic when it comes to our custom work. And and our delegate, press our you'll see some crossover when it comes to color palette, and even maybe typography choices. With the Chloe Clark side, we're really trying to strike a balance of what feels timeless, but also current. I want our customers to look back 20 years from now and feel like they're not looking at something that's dated. But I also want to make sure that we're staying relevant with what is trending right now. At the same time with all your press, it's a little more important that we remain current both in our product messaging and in our aesthetic. So I would say that brand is a little more of the moment. But ultimately, kind of what inspires me as an artist can trickle down in surprising ways. Both sides of the

Amy Loewenberg:

business. Sure. And that kind of makes sense too, because the dahlia press is really more in life time. Right? You're creating something it's moving through our stratosphere at a much faster rate. Whereas you know, bespoke invitation you're taking the time it's a planned out date, you're creating the suite you're you know, it's a completely different it's relatable, but it's different. It's similar.

Sarah Schwartz:

Yeah, cards are like conversational. invitations are for posterity. So exactly. Like your vibe, I mean, your aesthetic, I can look at your invitations. And you know, it's your aesthetic. It's just

Stephanie Clark:

yeah, you know, there's always like a piece of me and both sides for sure, because I am the sole designer for both brands. So you'll you'll always get a little glimpse of me hiding in there. Good.

Sarah Schwartz:

I love it. So and, you know, I'd love how every makers brand, I mean, he's really an all of your brands, in your case are really one of them. And in the case of your stationery, you know, it's the cards that the maker themselves would send, I mean, when you create a card, I mean, it's the card that you would set, you know, it comes from an organic place. And, and these days, we've sort of evolved into a situation where most makers share their values and causes their person you know, a little bit more of their personal, you know, beliefs with their community. This seems to have a two fold purpose. Not only can customer support causes they believe in with their purchases, but they can also pick out which makers to support based on the common values they share. So I feel like for you, you know, Dahlia press is not only about gorgeous design and exquisite communication, but it's your personal microphone when it needs to be as few weeks but as it was a few weeks back when you your marked all your sales with a group of makers, 30 makers, all right, for the national network of abortion funds this past July 12. It was a great effort, it was inspiring to watch to open my Instagram and see like all the makers, sharing things and talking about why they support this and how they're earmarking their sales. So I'm asking everyone who participated in this? Did you get any blowback? And if so, how did you respond? And will you continue sort of speaking out in this vein?

Stephanie Clark:

Sure. Um, well, first, I just wanted to say like what an honor, it was to be a part of that group of 30. Makers, I was certainly myself completely blown away by the response that we had from our community and our customers. And knowing that 30 companies were able to raise just under $16,000 in 24 hours is, congratulations, that's awesome. I really couldn't be like more proud of being a part of that moment. So I feel very honored to have been able to do that. I feel like in general, social activism, especially women's rights have been a core value of Dahlia press from the very beginning. And I've always felt like as a maker of visual content, that I have a sense of responsibility to create products that speak to issues that are important to us. And I'm lucky that I have a platform that allows me the opportunity to do so as a woman owned business and having a staff that's 90% women, the day that Roe v Wade was overturned, I came into our studio, and you could really feel like a literal weight in the room. So to not take the opportunity to make products that speak to that moment would be wrong. We were at that time in the process of releasing our new summer line. And as soon as we heard the news, we kind of paused and shifted to add in a few new designs that really speak to this moment. And we've added those to our women's empowerment line. And they include some new greeting cards and T shirts have we've also created some free items on our websites that include postcards to politicians, asking them to literally do better, and free pins for women asking them to share their abortion stories and their miscarriage stories. Because we really want to further that conversation and education and discussion around women's health. So in general, as long as there's something to be said, we're going to continue to do so. And I really want my products to be a vehicle for that. So when it comes to blowback, we've been very fortunate that we have customers whose values have just aligned with our own. And honestly, throughout the years, I think I've had a small handful of followers who've maybe made a comment or disapproval, but it's never been anything truly antagonistic. And I was a little nervous this last couple of weeks that we might come up against some feedback, but it's nothing but support. We've been very lucky.

Sarah Schwartz:

Yeah, that's awesome. I wanted to note, I forgot to note that that was that the 30 makers, it was spearheaded by Britney, Britney page designs, I cannot not give her credit because that was amazing. But to your earlier point, you know, we're we're so lucky we work in this industry because as creatives you know, we work through our anks to be a product and then help other people work through it. And you know, we facilitate these conversations and you know when you talk Talk about that heaviness. It's such a gift to be able to do something with the heaviness, you know? Absolutely.

Amy Loewenberg:

Yeah. It's also kind of interesting. It's, you know, if if you pull greeting cards, and the statements that are on and the imagery that is been presented, you know, from decade to decade, it's like a historic, valuable tour in our history. And that's what's so amazing about this industry as well. So you also have a woman, you have women's empowerment products, as well featured on your site and in your store, as well as other gift bowls, fantastic ones that we will soon be in New York now, which we can talk about, but like totes, and wrapping paper, wine bags, etc. My question is that in addition to running value press, you are a commercial designer with over 18 years of design experience. You've had clients like Starbucks, phenomenal women and Marmont, among others, are you still doing this work over and above everything else? And my gosh, it's so how are you doing?

Stephanie Clark:

Very fair question. You know, I've been very lucky to work with and create some incredible work with some amazing brands over the years outside of Dahlia pressing Chloe clerk, but at this point, really 99% of my work is focused on my own brands, I have one client I have not been able to let go of, he's been with me forever. And we actually just did a fun new product launch that he's going to be selling to Target stores. So that's very exciting to see some of my work on their shelves. But outside of him, it's really just kind of a focus on our own products. But I always have started looking at my wedding clients almost as like little micro brands, you know, when they come in, and we sit down and we go through their goals and their vision and the look and feel that they want their guests to experience. I take all those items the same way I would have when I was working in the commercial world. And we create a brand board and typography styles and a little monogram, which is essentially a logo. And they end up kind of having a kid apart. So that commercial branding side of media is getting fulfilled in its own little way.

Amy Loewenberg:

But just also how wonderful that your clients are getting the experience of say, like any corporate entity would would get. I would I would bet that not everybody works in that manner. So like how incredible for them to have like an entire layout and the whole like business plan presented in a logo and even like, I want a logo.

Stephanie Clark:

Absolutely, I think really enjoy that aspect of it. Oh my god. Oh,

Sarah Schwartz:

absolutely. And I mean, this, you know, your approach to invitations is very old school in this day and age. I mean, now, if I search letterpress invitations on Etsy, you know, I'm going to find, you know, basically probably standard designs that will plunk in the names, like eats you know, they've sort of turned the process into a Chipotle, you know, and you know, what you do is so different and it's rarer and rarer. There used to be a lot of it. And now it's it's not It's not much but really a wedding invitation a wedding invitation a wedding is sort of like a brand event. I mean when

Stephanie Clark:

salutely Yeah, I think because of that we definitely attract customers who are looking for that experience and wanting something just super unique and custom to them. So we've been very fortunate we don't we rarely have kind of a more cookie cutter invitation to work with.

Sarah Schwartz:

And I can go on to my next question without shutting out the fact that some of your corporate work I mean, it's not very corporate included doing the logo for the paper nerd and the paper folds if you enjoy that logo you are looking at Stephanie's work

Amy Loewenberg:

you know what I find really interesting is like looking at your greeting cards the one with the glasses on it every time I see that I'm like 00 my gosh

Sarah Schwartz:

it's so and it's exciting for me to go on her page and see it like I feel you know, I have a real emotional connection to it obviously as well. Yeah. So So now I want to ask you about the stationary squad. Your subscription box you know I love the name of it. You know I love that. You have you have two available subscriptions, either three or five cards a month. You can order it with or without a postage stamps, and just like a happy meal each come surprise gift. I suspect yours are better than those For. So, what I'm wondering is in a world of stationery subscriptions in a world of gift subscriptions, how did you approach yours to make it stand out? And really speak to the stationery lifestyle of your customers? Because I know that your customers have really like bonded with it, like the customers who do it are like they're in the squad. If you get if you can restart at all, is there anything you would do differently, and what is the biggest thing that you have learned about your clientele as well as card senders and lovers? Since introducing it?

Stephanie Clark:

Sure. So the stationary squat is just like such a special way. But to make sure that you have a card on hand for every and all occasions. And you mentioned it, the monthly subscriber has the option to select how many cards they want and their deliveries and as well as postage, and we really try to curate each month's shipment around a theme that's topical and relevant to upcoming holidays, or you know, just what they might need for that time of year. We always try to feature our best sellers and new releases in each shipment. So our subscribers are getting not only an amazing, fun, free little gift every month, but they're also getting kind of the latest and greatest of what we have to offer and what might not even be available yet on the rest of our website. And so the one thing I think I would like to change if we could would be maybe to add a little more custom curation into the boxes, I think our customers might really enjoy being able to be a little bit more selective about what they're receiving. But at this point, we just don't have that kind of technology or manpower to kind of set that up. And I do think if I could go back in time and started all over again, I would start with just a different platform for running the subscription box, there has been a lot of hoops, we've had to jump through to learn the technology side of how a subscription box works. And as far as what's been surprising, really just the commitment from our customers. And, you know, we've had followers who have subscribed with our very first box now almost two years ago, and they still are getting boxes, which has really blown me away. And even the the few customers that we have lost, and most of them send us an email to tell us, thank you. But they're just inundated with cards, so they need to take a break. But we still see them come back and shop on our website or come into our store on a regular basis. So I just think that that loyalty that our customers have to our brand has been a really pleasant surprise.

Sarah Schwartz:

That's amazing. Yeah, I mean, it's customer longevity is customer loyalty. I mean, it's like they found they found their vibe, I'm curious about your stamps, do you curate the stamps as well or you get more like, you'll just you don't have to find

Stephanie Clark:

new fun now as best as we can we do unfortunately the you know forever stamps are kind of limited both in design and also just what the available. Also the draft is like to retire stamps on a consistent basis. So as soon as I see a stamp that I feel like aligns either with it and upcoming holiday, or with an aesthetic of one of our cards, I buy a ton of them. Awesome, most often I can use them for wedding invites. So it kind of works out well. And then when we go through and pick out each month's card, then we'll also pair stamps with them to make sure that the you know colors match as best as possible. I have quite a few of our subscribers take advantage of adding on the stamp because it's not easy to make time to go to the post office. So this is just a nice way to know you have everything we need to mail out a card.

Sarah Schwartz:

Absolutely, absolutely. I love it. I really love it. And I'm not a bit surprised. I mean, maybe you can add some kind of a box like I mean, not to complicate things for you. Already very complicated. Like I specifically want to get well or you know,

Stephanie Clark:

yes. I think that would be a nice addition, we do have a box that you can check if you like profanities or not. Because we do have a couple that may have profanity or two. So we want to make sure we're not offending anyone with our boxes.

Amy Loewenberg:

That's a good, that's a good thing. Yeah. I feel like for the most part, anytime somebody starts any sort of new venture within a business that you know, you do it, you get the platform together, it's working. And then you're like, Yeah, I need to move in another direction. Now. You know, it's all trial and error. Exactly. Yeah. Wow. I'm looking through your website right now. And I'm just reminded of how many cards I need. And yes, I have like 1000s of cards that I can't get through and I'm like, I want I want I mean we have to have and what I love is and I'm just rambling right now, but like your vernacular is my vernacular. So that's why I like It resonates so well with it. I literally tell people I miss your face and that you have a card that says I miss your face. Yeah.

Stephanie Clark:

It sounds so cheesy. But I oftentimes make cards that I just, I mean, I want to give my husband or I want to give to my friends. Like they're the things that I want to say to the people I care about most. And so you know, especially if it's something I find myself repeating, then it's making a car.

Amy Loewenberg:

Yep, yep, yep. Yeah. And there's

Sarah Schwartz:

something about your lettering, I think that is like it's supposed to very sophisticated and sort of casual, like a really kind of walks that line. And it feels like, you know, it, you know, the tone that it's meant to be read in, there's no, you know, there's no, there's no confusion. So I'd love it. Definitely. I've always loved that about your work.

Amy Loewenberg:

So let's talk about your work. Let's talk about trends. Let's talk about what's happened in the past. So how have the events of the past few years or so maybe change the way you see stationery and your own line of work? You know, the stationery and gift industry has reinvented the pivoted all those actionable words. A great deal. So how do you think the sector is going to continue to evolve in consumer perception in our next phases?

Stephanie Clark:

Sure. Um, it's been it's been an interesting couple years, for sure. A lot of a lot of pivoting. And I think that was the big word for the word. Um, I think that previously, there was kind of always this idea that greeting cards were meant for birthdays, and thank yous, you know, it's very much like an occasion situation. But I definitely think after the last few years, spending so much time apart from one another, we found the greeting cards or are genuinely something that tie us together. And that also that perception of letter writing and mailing cards. You know, I think a lot of people thought that was dead. And it it just isn't true. We saw a major influx of purchases that were, you know, thinking of you cards and everyday cards during the pandemic, which was really reaffirming that people do want to send mail. During the pandemic of right around Mother's Day, we knew it was going to be impossible for people to come into our store to pick up cards. And that ordering cards and having them mailed to their homes in time and then getting them back in the mail was going to be tricky. So we offered that extra step of actually handwriting people's greetings for them and their cards and mailing them out on their behalf. I wrote so many cards, I thought I broke my wrist at one point and the sentiments that people sent. I'm not that I was reading what they were writing, but it just I totally did. They were amazing. They were so heartwarming, and so genuine. And it just, it really actually made me feel even better about offering this kind of product, because people are really using it to save the things that they can't always say over the phone or in an email. But it just means so much more in a card. And there's just so much power in the written word. So I'm very lucky to be a vehicle for that. Especially, you know, we sit behind screens all day. So when you get a physical card, it just means so much more.

Amy Loewenberg:

I mean, it brightens my day. I love it. I'd like those days when I actually get more than one, I get two. And then there's like two weeks where I get nothing. You know what I mean? And I'm like, why?

Sarah Schwartz:

Yep. What am I chopped liver?

Amy Loewenberg:

Come on. Come on. I'm fine. Cancel all the time, people. But what I what I really love is that as we were talking before about like the messaging and how like it's a look through history, like this is a really, and the past few years has been a very strong moment in history. And the and the change that your time. I wonder how many more people actually sent Mother's Day cards because of that service that you provided? I mean that yeah, that would an incredible service. You just provided thinking about the people who are disabled and the people who couldn't get out at all, you know?

Stephanie Clark:

Yeah, it was crazy. I wasn't expecting quite the response that we had, which was wonderful. But also I spent multiple evenings just showing up reading people's cards. So we're gonna have to figure that out again, if we offered in the future.

Amy Loewenberg:

Were you able to get out your Mother's Day cards?

Sarah Schwartz:

Well, you know, for the people who work in this industry, like everyone looks at the cards we set our family members or friends. Yeah, I give a birthday card. I know people are really looking at it. It's very it's a little unnerving, to be honest. But to your earlier point, yeah, I mean, we say things in cards that you will not say in a text in an email in a in a zoom call. Like there's something about the contemplation of sitting down out with a blank piece of paper like what do I really want to say to this person? And I think it's wonderful that people are like starting to flex that muscle again. Because, you know, we we need to become more thoughtful.

Amy Loewenberg:

Yeah, yeah. Well also your your postcards too are like a vehicle for parents to teach their children on, you know how to be more present and in the moment and, you know, have a distinct opinion of what you think is right and wrong and being able to voice it in, in a, in a really very poignant and appropriate manner. You know, exact gratulations to you, it just an amazing. Really, really. So I definitely mentioned it before, but it'd be remiss of me not to say who's going to be in New York now and a couple of

Stephanie Clark:

you will see me there.

Amy Loewenberg:

We will not just see you there. You will be in booth. 2759 B

Stephanie Clark:

755. What we did a little update. I well, I needed a bigger booth. So

Amy Loewenberg:

Mazel tov.

Sarah Schwartz:

We're gonna need a bigger booth. I love it.

Amy Loewenberg:

I love it. We're gonna need a bigger booth. Well, congratulations. That's awesome. So correction, May 27 35, she needed a bigger booth.

Sarah Schwartz:

gift and stationery section is really shaping up to be really, really banging in August. I can't wait. I can't wait to walk it. So I'm counting the days.

Stephanie Clark:

It's gonna be so fun. I'm very excited.

Amy Loewenberg:

I'm not gonna lie. I could use a few more days, but I'm super excited. I'm super super excited I could use a bigger day more hours in my day. Well, with that being said, how can people reach you? How can they find you? So

Stephanie Clark:

websites Instagram, social media, and Dahlia press.com. And then at Dahlia press for all of those social platforms. And then for our wedding invitation at its Chloe Clark paper.com. There is an E at the end of quark. And then on our social media, it's at Chloe Clark paper.

Amy Loewenberg:

Perfect. And if you're walking in the aisles of New York now at 2755, you're gonna see Dahlia. And we all miss your faces. So come by and make sure you say hi to Stephanie. And look at her fantastic product. Look at her tote bag, which is

Stephanie Clark:

thank you, it's also

Amy Loewenberg:

going to be featured in the Florida store. My my installation, so you're gonna get a double dose of Daily Press for sure. We're very excited about oh, my gosh, thank you so much for joining us today. This has been such a pleasure to spend these minutes with you today. Oh, thank you. This was so much fun.

Sarah Schwartz:

Thank you. It was such a treat to see you now. I can absolutely cannot wait to see you in person.

Stephanie Clark:

Okay, good. Meet you.

Amy Loewenberg:

All right. Well, with that, we'll say thank you so much. And thanks to our listeners for tuning in. And if this is post market, and there is no 2735 booth, there is a website and you absolutely can connect with Stephanie with through many different platforms. So thanks so much, and we will talk to you soon.

Sarah Schwartz:

Well, that was fun. That was totally fun. I

Amy Loewenberg:

love Stephanie.

Sarah Schwartz:

With everyone's crazy schedules. It's always a treat to have audience with her. I always leave her feeling dazzled and inspired.

Amy Loewenberg:

Yeah, completely agree. But if you really want a full dose of Dahlia, press dazzle and inspiration. You cannot not visit Stephanie and booth 2755 in New York now in the gift and stationery section for market coming up in just a few days.

Sarah Schwartz:

I cannot wait. And Amy, I know we mentioned this on the last podcast. But do you want to share a bit again about your Florida store? Exclusive installation? I know you have been super busy putting it together. Can you give our listeners a sneak peek of what they can expect? Yeah, absolutely.

Amy Loewenberg:

I'm excited to be doing this display again. But this time with a few enhancements. Initially this is really created just to bring another opportunity for our retailers to see the products of our brands. It's just another opportunity to see the way that you can feature this merchandise in your stores. And what we found was there was some great success from you know, buyers having to go back to that brand booth or going to that brand booth because they missed it the first time. So we're excited to be doing this again. You can't miss the hanging tie banner in the middle of the New York now floor. So that's a really great visual marker for you. Our booth will be right behind that is booth 2441. And just as I said before, This year there's a little bit of enhancement, we've got a seating area or a lounge where you can take a little break while you look at some of the lines and products found within gift and stationery. And then another little note before I get off my soapbox here is I'm also working with the fit merchandising society to help me merchandise this display, as well as run the booth during the show. So definitely please stop by and say hello, take a gander at the products you may have missed, but also say hi to these amazing young group of young adults who are going to be running the booth from fit. I'm so excited to have them there. That is

Sarah Schwartz:

so exciting. And they may well be the next generation of people we're hosting on this podcast.

Amy Loewenberg:

So there you go. There you go.

Sarah Schwartz:

Get them now before they get super popular and you know, and you can't get them in your store. You know, I'll be there snapping away on my phone.

Amy Loewenberg:

I hope so. I hope so there are a lot of great brands and people who we know who are going to be there. I also want to mention our ongoing work with gift for life, aka GFL. We will also be fundraising for the world central kitchen WC K, which is making sure that there is always a warm meal, an encouraging word and a helping hand in hard times. And when disaster strikes. WC caves chef relief team mobilizes to the frontlines with urgency of of now to start cooking and providing meals for people in need. Their resilience work, advances human and environmental health, offers access to professional culinary training, creates jobs and improves food security. They also provided 10s of millions of fresh nourishing meals for communities around the world. So your donation today will be used to support our emergency fund relief efforts and resilience programs. And please be on the lookout for our marketing via email and social media that we'll be highlighting our exhibitors who will also be donating $1 or more for each have their order written during the market. So this is another way that you can make an impact so place your orders with them. You'll be invited to make a donation during the registration process as well. And then I hear there's a great auction happening and we do love a good auction.

Unknown:

Don't wait there.

Sarah Schwartz:

Oh yeah, I always love a good auction and and what an amazing, timely cause to partner with. Amy, it is heartbreaking to think of those suffering with both empty bellies and little to no food security, to be able to make a tangible difference in someone's life is so powerful. Meanwhile, I know I'll be seeing you in a few short days at Chabot. But Amy, where can we find you while you're not in?

Amy Loewenberg:

So as always people you can connect with me on Instagram LinkedIn or email me at work. I always want to highlight our amazing community on my New York now spotlight podcast and a feature you on my Instagram store tours vailable to help connect you to new and needed resources and answer any of your new york now SF now really any of your digital market questions any questions you have if I don't have the answers I'll find I'll find out who does and connect you to them. And Sarah, how can we connect with

Sarah Schwartz:

you? Probably the best place to connect with me is at the paper nerd.com You can nerd out with my fabulous stationery coverage. Check out my podcast the paper fold and access stationary trends the industry's award winning design driven trade quarterly as well. It's always a pleasure to learn more about makers and spotlight their work whether it is in publication blog or podcast form. Meanwhile, I speak for both me and myself when I see that if you when I say sila meanwhile, I speak for both Amy and myself when I say that if you see either of us scampering around market please say hi.

Amy Loewenberg:

Definitely definitely please grab us grab us individually grab us when we're together just grab up. Just grab us you know and and if we don't meet up, just don't hesitate to reach out to either of us with comments, questions, feedback, suggestions for guests, or what have you. And don't forget New York now is an online 365 sourcing and connection platform. Make sure to sign up and sign in. And definitely connect with us when you do so thank you so much and we will talk with you soon. Cheers.