It’s 19 years to the day since I started my company, Crafter’s Companion.
Little did I know back then from that tiny-weeny acorn of an idea would this mighty oak tree grow that I would be stood gazing at 19 years later feeling overwhelmed at the magnitude of just what we have achieved!
For those of you who don’t know my story, I started off with a product called The Enveloper (this is it here – this wasn’t me 19 years ago but this is the only old picture I could find of me with one of those original products!).
So it might just look like a little lump of wood to you (if you’re not really into card making you’re probably not going to really get it) however, I developed this product that meant if you were into making handmade cards, you could make your own matching envelopes in any shape or size.
And… on the 24th of October 2005, at 9 pm, I went on Ideal World (the shopping channel) and demonstrated to the hundreds of thousands of people watching how to use my little MDF scoring board to make your own envelopes and we sold thousands of them in that first airing and I’ve never looked back from that moment on!
Never in a million years did I imagine this crazy journey of mine would lead to where it has led today but I am so immensely proud of every step I’ve taken along that path and more importantly the people that have been with me on that journey – it’s been one heck of a ride and all this week we have been celebrating our 19th Birthday in style!
Nineteen years… My baby isn’t a baby anymore, in fact, my baby almost isn’t a teenager anymore – it’s pretty much an adult and I am so proud of the amazing company it has blossomed into!
So, to everyone who has been a part of that journey in some way shape or form, to the many staff who worked by my side over the years, to our amazing customers – you’ve been loyal to me through thick and then thank you for the bottom of my heart… You truly are incredible and you are what makes getting out of bed every morning and going to work (that doesn’t feel like work because it’s what I love) worth it!
Here’s to the next 19 years… Happy Birthday Crafter’s Companion!