Today we’d like to introduce you to Gali Laska and Gaby Wellman.
Gali and Gaby, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
One day when Gaby and I were on face time, she was drawing on her iPad. I mentioned something to her along the lines of “you should make stickers!” We both were kind of excited by the idea but didn’t know how we would make them or what we would make them of. Then came SmartStickers. As two class of 2020 seniors who are facing the realities and tragedies of living during a global pandemic, we wanted a chance to not only celebrate our achievements but the achievements of our fellow seniors worldwide. We then started to research what would be the best way to create the stickers. We thought about using a website that would print the stickers on sheets so we could deliver them ourselves, but that would not be as convenient. We landed on using redbubble.com to print our stickers as our customers could pick as many as they wanted. Then, we began marketing and designing. While I focused on getting the customers, Gaby focused on the designs. And then, we made our first sale. As of today, we have sold over 500 stickers, including orders from as close as Los Angeles, to as far as Scotland.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Yes, It has been a very smooth road. Some of the struggles that we have had to encounter is the issue of people who request specific designs for a college of their choice and then do not buy them in a timely matter. We have been struggling a little bit to get more social media outreach but aside from that, it has been fairly smooth!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with SmartStickers – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our business is unique in the sense that it is created out of a desire for celebration. We feel as if our customers are given a chance to celebrate the future that has potentially been undermined by COVID-19. We know what it feels like to have senior year cut short. It is sad and heartbreaking. But something that has been pulling both of us forward is the idea of starting our freshman year in college next year. We create stickers (and masks if requested) for various colleges. We have also made some for elementary schools, mothers day cards, outlines of teachers, and dogs. We are known for making special designs that celebrate college in a brand new way. I am most proud of the outreach that we have received from our stickers. Our stickers truly have not only reached those closest to us, but those across the country feeling the same way that we are.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We plan to continue to keep this business going while we are still studying in our perspective colleges. Although I will be in Washington DC and Gaby will be in Boston, we will continue to collaborate with each other. Next year there will be a whole new set of seniors who want to celebrate their colleges in their own way, and SmartStickers is planning on being there!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.redbubble.com/people/smartstickers/shop?artistUserName=SmartStickers&asc=u&page=2&pageSize=100
- Instagram: @smartstickers2020
Image Credit:
redbubble.com
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