Today we’d like to introduce you to Jo Power.
Hi Jo, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I founded Things by Bean almost ten years ago in Melbourne, Australia! In April, it’ll be ten years — TEN YEARS! I keep saying it because I can’t believe it. It all started with a little cookie tin of a few greeting cards I’d designed and printed. I’d walk around my favorite Melbourne neighborhoods with my tin and show the cards to shop owners. A lot of shops liked them and took them on, they sold well, so they ordered more! I started doing trade shows in my second year of business and that took everything to the next level. Eventually, my greeting cards were stocked at over 100 retailers across Australia.
In 2019, I moved from Australia back to America and all of a sudden, I was basically starting my business all over again. I had a distributor to handle all my retailers in Australia but I had nothing whatsoever going on in the US. So, I started small again. I found a local printer to produce my greeting cards and launched a new product line I’d been dreaming about — earrings! I started doing events and craft markets all around Austin every single weekend and I was so happy to see that American pals liked my cards and earrings just as much as Australian pals. The next phase of establishing my business in America was the Noted Greeting Card Expo (San Francisco) and NY Now Gift Show (NYC) in 2020 but COVID well and truly smashed those plans into oblivion. So, I out wholesale growth plans on hold and focused on my online shop and it’s been so much fun watching it grow over the last year!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had quite a few lucky breaks but there have definitely been periods where it felt like there was no growth or progress for an eternity. During those times, it’s tempting to give up and peace out. I’m also a sensitive human bean and I battle fear of rejection every day. When pitching to new shops, launching a new range or even just posting on Instagram. The products I design or make are bits and bobs of my brain and I still haven’t found a way to completely separate their success from my sense of self-worth.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
From day one, Things by Bean goodies have existed to make people happy. My greeting cards brighten people’s days in unexpected ways and I hear again and again that my earrings make people feel like their coolest, most confidant self. I’m really proud of the work I’ve done on distilling ideas down into bite-sized bits, whether it’s a greeting card or a piece of jewellery. Concepts usually start big for me, so they need to be whittled down before they’re a good product that someone will see, instantly “get” and, most importantly, smile about.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
People have been speculating for years about the future of greeting cards. There’s always talk about digital replacements and cards becoming an “old person thing.” But, amazingly, none of that has eventuated! Industry data shows that greeting card sales continue to grow and it’s been awesome seeing the creative explosion in the industry the last 10 years. Artists and designers are having so much fun with the medium! As for earrings, they’re having quite the “moment” right now and I don’t think they’ve peeked yet. I can’t even wait to get out into the world when COVID’s behind us and see all the earrings on show!
Contact Info:
- Email: bean@thingsbybean.com
- Website: http://www.thingsbybean.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsbybean/
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