We are thrilled to share with you a business founded by two MODG Alums! Take a look at this interview with Jessica Pipes below as she tells us about her handmade greeting card company she runs with her sister.
Tell us about your relationship with MODG.
I am a MODG alumni! I was a MODG student for high school, and then I taught learning support classes, and I worked in the MODG office in Ojai for a year. The MODG discussion classes inspired me to go to Thomas Aquinas College and fed my life-long love of history and literature. My favorite class in high school was the 11th grade Medieval History and Literature, and I got to teach that class too! Fun fact — my mom and I put on the first-ever MODG March for Life meetup in Washington D.C. in 2011. The first year we had a handmade banner and sent out a meet-up location so that any families who happened to be in the area could join us for the March. The second year we booked a block of hotel rooms and put on a big meetup. I loved it, and I’m grateful my mom agreed to do all that work so we could meet our MODG friends in person.
When did you begin your business and what inspired you?
My sister Rachel (also a MODG alum) is a watercolor artist. The business started a few years ago when she brought a few notecards with her artwork to our local farmer’s market to see if anyone would want to buy them. She found out that yes, indeed they did!
I have an entrepreneurial streak, and I wanted to see if I could build the business. So we’ve been working together for the last few months. She does the artwork and I go out and find gift shops in the St. Louis area who want to sell our cards. I also built a website and we do online sales. Our mom is the printer expert who ensures all the cards print at fine art quality. I just enlisted another sister, Mary, to help build our social media presence.
We like to say that our cards are a gift in themselves. The art on the front is so beautiful that it’s frameable, and the designs are fun and unique so that they mean something special for people. We’ve got cheerful red roosters, adorable baby animals, Winnie the Pooh illustrations, elegant wildflowers. We also have Christmas cards — since Christmas is coming up soon!
Our website is: itscardsbyrachel.com
Why do you think MODG families will like your product?
One of the great things about our cards is that they are all blank on the inside. So you can buy a pack or two of your favorite designs and use them for birthday cards, thank-you notes, or pen-pal letters. You’re never scrambling around for a “get well” card and you only have “thank you” cards on hand. A set of cards also makes for a great gift.
We also love that our designs are things you don’t usually find on a card. We have customers come up and say things like, “My brother in law loves fishing! I have to get him the brown trout card!” Where else do you find a trout card for a fisherman, or a baby black bear card for a little kid, or an Alice in Wonderland card for your literature nerd friend?
What are the details on ordering for Christmas - what Christmas products are available and what are your shipping timeframes?
We have beautiful Christmas cards that are all original artwork created by Rachel this year! You can order here!
Cards will be shipped 1-2 days after ordering, and should arrive within a week!
We are so grateful to Jessica for sharing a bit about her company with us! Don't forget to check out their online store & shop the beautiful cards they have available!