Business card insanity, or what?
Everyone on the Daily Grommet team lives on an austerity budget. It’s just been the reality of doing a startup at the exact same time the economy collapsed. There are no frills or indulgences. Except one. Our business cards.
I was recently interviewed by Jill Gambon, of Mass High Tech, about how startups save money on furniture and fixtures. I found myself raising the topic of our relatively expensive business cards. I explained that because 5-10% of our Grommets are about preserving craft, it would be disingenuous of us to have a cheap VistaPrint business card. We have to support what we believe in. And if that means I have to shack up with other startup founders while travelling, to save the business cards, I am all for it.
But I still felt somewhat indulgent about it. Our card is made of thick chipboard that has a custom letterpress printed pattern on the back. It is wrapped with a separate matte-finish white adhesive label. We have to hand assemble each one. I always feel a little crazy when I welcome a new employee with this little manual task.
So…imagine my delight to find out from our designers at Alphabet Arm (via Twitter, natch) that this “crazy” card is being featured in a new book: The Best of Business Card Design (9). Design awards do not equal business success, but I still take this little piece of ego-stroking recognition on board. You have to celebrate every victory in a startup.
P.S. Just found out the card was included in another book celebrating top business card designs. Thanks Alphabet Arm.
Jules Pieri 
3 Responses to “Business card insanity, or what?”
You know what is so funny, Jules, just recently I was cleaning my desk drawer and I came across your card… of course, I have all of your contact info in other places, and don’t have a physical Rolodex where I usually keep cards I get, but I couldn’t bring myself to toss it… too thick, too unique, too special. Congrats on the book mention!
Your story delighted me Emily. Thanks for hanging onto our little piece of ephemera.
And….I am in NY tonight, and Patti and I are sharing a hotel room to save $, and the cards. (I’m not sure she is so into preserving the cards, but she’s being a good sport.)
huzzahs & congrats on your latest honorables. flying pretty high for a little girl in lexington.
barb