Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Warriner.
Hi Lindsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been coping with humor professionally since 2013, when I believed I knew how to run a business simply because I willed one into existence. Adorable. Warren Tales started as a pretty perfect creative outlet for my interests in writing, print design, and my obsession with paper. Over 13 years, it has turned my ADHD into a superpower as I’ve balanced day jobs with a trial-and-error education on industry standards, product development, event planning, marketing, and how to deal with a colorful variety of my own fuck-ups (can I say that?).
Years of creative thinking and hard, scrappy work—as well as a questionable insistence on not quitting—has culminated in Louie Awards by the Greeting Card Association for Writer of the Year (2025), Consumer’s Choice (2020), and Most Humorous (2019). As a result, we have secured national partnerships with Barnes & Noble and Paper Source, our cards are sold in a growing network of independent shops, and we host a traveling comedy pop-up booth that brings out the weird (and best) in all who attend.
Warren Tales is LGBTQ+ and Woman-owned and operated; our cards are Made in America and union printed (if not by myself); and we do not utilize AI because I’m a tired millennial and cannot bring myself to navigate another new piece of tech. Hooray for cards!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t understand how it can take a decade to listen to the voice that has always been yammering on in your own head, but it so often does and at last I finally did. After years of trying desperately to make the cards that I thought people wanted, I threw caution (and curses) to the wind and focused on writing—the thing that comes most naturally to me.
After scraping through the pandemic, a traumatic pregnancy, and flailing new parenthood I finally made my mighty return to events in 2024 with a renewed brand and a largely unfiltered style of comedy. In a bittersweet twist, the woes of the world (and womb) have provided seemingly endless material for people who cope with humor, making our card catalog stronger than ever—as well as our collective will to laugh to stop from crying.
There is certainly nothing “small” about independent businesses, and I would not be here without the unflappable support of family and friends who have kept me fed, fueled, and funny.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Warren Tales delivers witty and irreverent greeting cards because it’s infinitely more fun than yelling at a screen. My favorite cards to write are support and sympathy because that’s where I see people struggling to communicate—and oh, how we are all struggling these days. At times it feels weird to be peddling products through what feels loosely like the “end days,” but cracking jokes and connecting with the beautiful humanity of shoppers truly brings us all back to life. It’s my purpose and pleasure to help break the ice in hard times, and life feels a little less serious when you’re surrounded by giggling adults.
I am most proud of how much our cards resonate with men, who are essentially the unicorns of card sales. I love writing to celebrate their silliness and softness, as well as for occasions unique to them—after all, it takes balls to get a vasectomy! In an industry largely fueled by and for the most incredible and creative women, I find it oddly necessary to be a dreamer for dudes. Feminism is funny that way.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Watching people react to and laugh at my dumb jokes is a hit of dopamine straight to the brain. I never understood how someone could love cooking for people (mostly because I, myself, am *terrible* at it), but it was the biggest “Aha!” moment when I really hit my stride in the market booth and could see people let go and enjoy themselves. More often than not, the comedic banter I have with customers inspires new card ideas, which in turn continue the cycle of hilarity.
Also, move over, bartenders—card-tenders are the new community confessionals. I’m always equal-parts surprised and honored by the stories customers share when they connect with a particular card. The fact that people feel so comfortable in the space seems like high praise.
Pricing:
- Our cards are available online for $5.50 (plus tax & shipping)
- Discounted bulk pricing is available on select styles (great for the holidays and thank yous)
- Visit our booth at one of many pop-up events around San Diego for additional deals and a hearty hello! (See our instagram for upcoming dates)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.warrentales.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warrentales/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warrentales/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/warrentales
