Thank you for taking the time to check out my company and to learn how it all was started. I had many inspirations to start a greeting card company throughout my life. Tessa May Greeting Cards all started with my Smooth Coated Brussels Griffon, Tessa May. She was such a unique dog with an amazing personality that I felt that the world must meet her. The greeting card business began in 2007 and since Tessa May was my inspiration, I named the company after her.
My next inspiration for starting a greeting card company started at a very young age. I learned the power of a handwritten card as a little girl. My dad would leave me notes throughout my life. He always knew when I needed a little encouragement or a simple I love you. I had always known I was such lucky girl to have such an incredible man as my dad. Sadly, he passed away unexpectedly in August of 2013. He was my #1 fan when I got this crazy idea to start a greeting card company. My dad taught me to go after my dreams, work hard and to never give up. My world stopped when I lost my rock star, mentor and hero in my life.
I always had a vision of where my company would be someday but I the real world took over and I needed to work full time to take care of myself. So for the first 6 years of my business I only worked on selling Tessa May part time. I slowly started building my accounts. After my Dad passed away I knew I needed to give it 100% or it was never going to grow. So I took a huge risk and quit my full time job, put my whole apartment in storage, and hit the road travelling the states. I started going door to door to build my accounts and within 18 months I had 248 new accounts selling my cards. It has been an amazing journey with lots of determination, hard work, tears, rejection and perseverance. I can’t wait to keep seeing my company grow.
I would like to take this moment to thank my friends and family that have been so supportive while this venture has been going on, it means so much to me and has helped me allow the business to evolve. Show someone you care today and send them a handwritten card. I promise you’ll put a smile on their face.
-Lisa