Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Stanley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a little girl, I was always drawing, writing or being creative in some way. One of my oldest memories goes back to when I was about four years old and attempting to replicate my grandfather’s handwriting. I can vividly remember my grandfather sitting in a kitchen chair next to me writing in cursive on a notepad for me to trace each letter. Which totally makes sense today, because I have a deep appreciation for beautiful handwriting.
In my early 20s, I had the honor of meeting and working for three amazing women, who ran a rental boutique for weddings and events. Through them, I was able to really explore my creativity and use different elements to create beautiful and meaningful events for our clients. That was also where I was introduced to my love of stationery and hand lettering.
In 2015, I graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Communications with an emphasis in Advertising. During my last semester of college, I started PaperLure as a hobby and would design invitations and various items for friends and family, in addition to creating marketing and brand identity for local businesses. The name, PaperLure, came from my love of all things paper and the ability to “lure” a guest to an event through a beautifully designed note.
After graduation, I moved to Richmond, ready to jump feet first into the corporate world. I got a job as a graphic designer at Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Sugar Land, where I was creating print and digital designs for the various departments in the church. I enjoyed the work but felt something was missing. After much prayer and a lot of hard work, I became an elementary art teacher. And began teaching in Alief ISD in the Fall of 2017. It was such a humbling experience, being able to introduce different styles of art, various artists and lessons to my students. Seeing them light up the same way I did as a child was so rewarding.
This past May, after two years of teaching and a very trying year personally, I turned in my resignation to begin new and exciting journey. With the full support and encouragement from my husband, Reagan, I began working to grow what was once just a hobby into the small business PaperLure is today. Today, I enjoy designing beautiful and affordable stationery, logos, illustrations, hand lettering and so much more.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think it’s normal to have worries and fears when starting something you are putting your heart into. I don’t think anything worth having comes without its struggles and part of the beauty in appreciating what you love is the struggle that comes with it. I feel like my current struggles are not having that “safety net job” when business is slow and just navigating building my business.
PaperLure – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
PapeLure is a custom stationery boutique that specializes in invitations, digital graphics, brand identity, logos, personal and business stationery, notepads, hand lettering and more.
The thing I am most proud of about PaperLure is that it is evolving. Currently, I am working a new side of PaperLure to create kid-specific stationery. I think being a teacher really influenced me to create items that kids can be excited to have and share with others, from invitations to items like custom envelopes for kids to bring forms and money back and forth to school.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I truly love making the clients happy and excited about their upcoming events. It brings me joy knowing I was part of making their event memorable.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is finding joy and feeling love for what I am doing, being organized and creating a work environment that makes me want to work. If I am not prepared and loving what I am doing, then there is no way my clients will love working with me or what I create.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 409.719.3468
- Email: paperlureboutique@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/paperlure/
- Facebook: facebook.com/PaperLure/
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