May 30, 2013
Jessica Huie worked with School for Creative Startups to help develop her second business, Color Blind Cards. Although she was already a successful businesswoman, School for Creative Startups helped her company take off and reach international markets.
What’s the name of your business and what promise does it make to customers?
Color Blind Cards is the UK’s leading multicultural greeting card and gift brand. We make lovely cards for people who want a greeting card which represents them and their families.
What made you decide to start your business?
I recognized a gap in the market for a modern greeting card brand which was reflective of the diversity in our society, felt compelled by the social importance that all children have access to positive images which reflect their identity, and excited by the commercial global opportunity.
What made you decide to enroll in School for Startups a year ago?
I was at a stage where I didn’t know how to grow my business. I’d gone as far as I could alone and the guidance and support network offered by School for Startups was perfect for me.
What meaningful answers did you discover in working with Doug Richard and the experts he’s brought in to advise and mentor you?
I think the importance of partnerships to scale up was possibly the advice that was most impactful for me. There is just so much info imparted by Doug, Nancy and the experts that the biggest challenge is to digest and then implement it!
Which School for Startups activities have been most influential in helping your business to evolve and grow?
Probably Doug himself, as his engaging delivery and vast experience made him a brilliant mentor. The course as a whole renewed my confidence in my brand and I needed that self belief to take the next steps for Color Blind Cards and begin to penetrate the US market. I’ve just returned from the New York stationary show which is the industry’s biggest US trade fair. It was hugely productive and the brand was picked up by Staples, one of America’s biggest retail chains.
How has having access to business support and mentoring day in and day out helped you and your business?
It’s great to have someone to bounce ideas off! When you are a small business it can be a lonely and isolating experience! The support is invaluable.
Which of your products are you proudest of? Why?
I am most proud of our first collection and most recent designs of greeting cards. The first because they evolved from a loving desire to create a brand which would positively impact my daughter and the next generation. The possibilities and potential which engulf you at the start of your business journey is a wonderful feeling.
I love the most recent designs because they reflect our growth from learning from our mistakes, conducting additional research, and from getting feedback on our products.
Do you feel you’ve developed relationships through this program that will help you in the months and years to come?
Yes absolutely. I also run JH Public Relations, my five year old PR business, and School for Startups inspired the launch of my startup PR service which gives new or small businesses access to PR without the expensive monthly retainers typical of London PR agencies. Since we’ve worked with numerous high profile entrepreneurs during my PR career (Peter Jones, Hilary Devey, Deirdre Bounds, etc.) and are passionate about helping people brave enough to implement their business ideas, the Start-up PR service was a natural evolution for us.
If you’re interested, find out more here www.jhpr.co.uk
What are you look forward to in the months ahead?
We’re looking forward to implementing a presence in the US market for Color Blind Cards and seeing our cards in shelves of a household chain supermarket later this spring.
With JH PR I’m looking forward to helping create PR strategies for start up businesses which help them tell the world about their story and (most importantly) their business!
So far, I’ve grown my companies and have become a little wiser, a little more self assured, and absolutely more inspired thanks to School for Creative Startups.
Www.colorblindcards.com