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Crib Sheet #35: She’s Got Papers’ Tanea Smith.
Tanea’s done it right. She not only has a GREAT website, but she uses her company as an outlet for her creative tendencies. And doesn’t every baby need a business card online? Me thinks so.
What business did you start?
I am the Owner & Creative Director of ShesGotPapers.com ~ a chic online paperie that features fun, witty, inspiring stationery for little girls, young women and ladies. Oh, and there’s also a business card online for babies as well!
What motivated you to do it?
After the birth of my daughter, Jada, in 2007, I was ready to make a career change. My day job left me creatively unfulfilled and while at home on maternity leave I started to design my first collection, business card online.The Basics.
How many kids do you have? How old are they?
I have 2 children ~ ages 15 and 2.
How long have you been in business?
I launched She’s Got Papers in July of 2008.
How long did it take to become profitable or successful?
The message resonated with my audience almost immediately. That was all of the validation that I needed to keep me moving forward. The profiles and stories that have been written about She’s Got Papers have been phenomenal. I recall getting an e-mail from a lady that said, “Finally, a classy piece of stationery like business card online for babies that I can send to my friends.” It doesn’t get more fabulous than that for me.
What was your family’s reaction?
My family is extremely supportive of me. There are so many factors that go into running a business and staying sane. In the beginning stages of She’s Got Papers I had just given birth to my daughter, initiated the design process of my line as well as began taking care of the legalities and it was almost time for me to return to my day job. I remember saying to my older sister that I really didn’t know if I could juggle it all and she said to me, “Tanea, just follow through.” That made all the difference to me and I’ve been going ever since.
Easiest part of the job?
The design phase is now effortless to me. I keep a notepad on my nightstand so that I can jot down quotes and images or even color combinations. They come to me at the weirdest hours! I have about 4 collections trapped in my head that I’d like to bring to life right now. With my first collection business card online, it was touch-and-go which is why I call it “The Basics”. I’m now at the point where I instantly will know what will work and what won’t.
Hardest part of the job?
The juggle. My children need their Mom, my fiancé needs his partner, my day job needs their Executive Assistant and She’s Got Papers needs it’s Creative Director. It can get crazy but each of them is such a vital part of what keeps me going.
What skill would you most like to improve?
Hmm. Good one. Time Management. My schedule is really hectic and the perfectionist in me finds it difficult to leave a task undone even when the clock that I’ve set says that it’s time to move on to something else on the list.
Are there any websites that you recommend to other momtrepreneurs?
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
When I embarked on this journey with She’s Got Papers, a friend of mine bought me a copy of Pink Magazine. I loved it so much that I ordered every back issue that I could. I hand wrote a note to the publisher and in one issue, I saw that the note had been published. Two lessons learned there: that there is still a lot of power in the handwritten note, and I’m so glad that I followed my sister’s advice and followed through.
Favorite part of a typical day?
I love the first 25 minutes of my morning. I get up and reach for my journal and for that short period I am at a total calm. Writing is the thing I most love to do and in those moments it’s like a smooth waltz – my pen dancing across the page.
A few more questions, just because American Express should be
featuring more momtrepreneurs…..
Childhood ambition….When I was a little girl I wanted to be an actress. My mother enrolled me in school for the performing arts. I was always very expressive and dramatic and could tell a story like no one else. With She’s Got Papers, I’ve been able to fuse that creative side with my love of paper. I don’t know what else could be better.
Fondest memory….going to lunch at Junior’s restaurant in Brooklyn with my mother and sister when I was a little girl. My mom worked two jobs at times and Junior’s was a rare treat. It instilled in me at a young age that only after hard work did you get to reap the rewards.
Indulgence…..cream cheese french toast from The Spot Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York.
Last purchase…..a 4-drawer leather filing cabinet for my office. It’s so gorgeous, I could cry.
Favorite magazine…..Uptown. It is the quintessential lifestyle magazine.
Inspiration….my God, my children, my President. My vision of what I know my life can be.
My life…..is in a constant state of evolution. I would have it no other way.
