I’m so excited right now I’m busting at the seams!!

I am officially registered for the Stationery Academy!!

For those of you that don’t know what I’m talking about, the Academy is THE workshop for professional stationery designers.  It’s all about the business and branding issues faced specifically by those in the invitation & stationery industries.  The founders, Whitney English Kolb and Emily Ley, have years of successful experience and well-established brands for their respective companies.  And I’m so thankful they’re willing to pass that knowledge along to business newbies like me!  (I’m not new to design, but definitely new to running a business.)

I want to participate in this conference, first and foremost, for the benefit of my clients.  I’m committed to giving you the most creative, quality product & service possible.  And the more confident I am in my design and business skills, the better I can serve you!

I also want to be a part of the Stationery Academy because somewhere deep down in my gut, I know I’m supposed to give all this back.  God has been so incredibly good to me, so very, very far beyond what I deserve.  I know this is the path for me because He’s opened doors for me all along the way.  There’s no doubt in my mind that this is what I’m meant to do.  And I know there will come a time when I’ll be called to pay it forward.  I don’t know when, where or how that will be, but I’m going to do my best to be prepared for that time.  I want to be the best I can be so that I can help someone else be the best that they can be.

So for now, I’m SUPER excited to hear these speakers!  I think there will be more, but these are the three featured on the Academy’s page at the moment (info pulled from the Academy’s website):

Whitney English Kolb - At age 15, Whitney English Kolb began a life-long love affair with paper and interior design at a stationery and gift store in her hometown of Oklahoma City. The two passions, combined with her love of antique prints and textiles, fused in 2002 to create a unique marketplace niche for Whitney English, LLC.

The company was founded with baby-sitting money and elbow grease, so it makes a good story. Whitney’s parents, family, and friends all chipped in at one time or another, either by talking her through financials or folding note cards, so if you ask, she never takes all the credit and firmly believes in both verbal and written (of course) gratitude.

 
Natalie Chang – We are thrilled to bring Natalie on as a keynote speaker and host this year! Natalie has over sixteen years of experience working in the stationery industry. From the licensing and marketing department of Mary Englebreit, to operations and design for imprintable company Julia D. Azar, Natalie’s stationery experience is immense. Currently she consults with Lifeguard Press, coordinating the Lilly Pulitzer and Jonathan Adler brands, and does incredible high-end custom design work from Memphis, Tennessee under the Natalie Chang brand!

 
Amber Housley - As a west coast gal (born and raised) who moved to the South five years ago, Amber now claims the South as “home”. After marrying her charming husband in a southern plantation wedding that kicked off a new love of event planning and design, she soon set out to become a super-mom to their son.

In the South, Amber’s love for decorating the porch is encouraged and a ice cold glass of sweet tea makes any day better. When not scouring for treasures at flea markets and local artisans, Amber can be found putting the finishing touches on her latest project. She shares, “I’ve adapted to living this life in a richer way by making every moment and sweet detail count. I look forward to sharing all the joy, beauty and inspiration I’ve found here with you.”

I’ve got my notebook & pen ready, my heart set on big things, and my brain is a giant sponge.  SO excited that things worked out so I’m able to attend!  I thought for sure I’d  have to wait another year, but like I mentioned, God is opening doors for me.  Can’t wait to share with  you what I learn! (And with any luck this pasty white skin won’t burn in the July Pensacola sun!)