Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Simpson.
Hi Jen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We are a husband-and-wife team who began our business journey in 2009. We started selling wedding invitations on Etsy, and it quickly expanded into a local business as well. We work with many local wedding planners and venues in the Orange County area, specializing in luxury coastal weddings. In 2020, we pivoted our business when large gatherings had to be postponed. We began selling journals and stationery products. We have been growing this side of the company by adding more journals, mainly focused on mental health and personal growth. All of our items are created locally and we handmake as much as we can.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I feel like there are always twists and turns, depending on the economy and the stage of life we’re in. We have faced struggles with changes in the market: people becoming more comfortable ordering invitations online, doing DIY, and Etsy becoming more saturated. We also faced work/life balance challenges when our kids were young, as we were constantly busy with work and raising children. We also faced struggles when the pandemic hit. That changed our business the most, as it forced us to go down a new path instead of just focusing on weddings. Looking back, that was a positive change because I love being an advocate for mental health and knowing that we are helping others who might be struggling with mental health, as I have.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
For wedding stationery, I have always been drawn to an old-world, ethereal vibe. I enjoy incorporating layers of handmade paper, letterpress printing, ribbons, wax seals, and fine art for a tactile presentation. We focus on handmade paper because it is truly unique and beautiful, with each piece being different and capturing a romantic feel. This has been a staple in our work that sets us apart from other stationery companies.
For our journals, I prefer to focus on practicality and simplicity. Our journals and stationery are designed to be easy to use, so they don’t take long to complete, yet you still enjoy the benefits. This allows a busy mom to participate easily. My designs are clean, minimal, and elegant. I also like to incorporate handmade paper and design elements from our invitations whenever I can.
We also pride ouselves in great one-on-one customer service. It is very important to us to get back to customers in a timely manner and make sure that all their needs have been met.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
We’ve had some good luck with viral TikTok videos that have helped us grow our business.
Other than that, I believe it is hard work and the drive to keep going even when hurdles arise that have kept our business successful.
Pricing:
- Journals range from $25- $40
- Invitations range from $1,000 – $5,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jensimpsondesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensimpsondesign/
Image Credits
Taken by Jen Simpson of Jen Simpson Design
