Summer 2020 - 35

RETAILER PROFILE
Quick Q&A
Alana Amaya and
Julie Rabinowitz
Q. What have you learned about running
this business that's surprised you?
AA. The people within the industry have been
pretty amazing. It's a tight-knit community,
and for the most part everyone has been
incredibly helpful. Running a business is
way more work than we ever imagined,
but incredibly rewarding. What has been
wonderful is that we both like different
aspects of the business, and so we gravitate
to those areas. Then we both groan a bit
when we have to do the parts we don't love,
but we get it done!
Alana Amaya, left and Julie Rabinowitz
Photograph courtesy of Mike Lawrence
Q. There are some things that are
timeless, a little black dress or the perfect
martini come to mind. What epitomizes
timelessness for you when it comes
to stationery?
AA. Good typography and beautiful paper!
There's nothing like opening a beautiful
invitation with clean crisp typography. The
space between the letters is just right. The
fonts chosen have been well thought out
and work together. And paper in today's
world ... there has been a recent trend to
use acrylic, metal, and other materials
for invitations. However, we are all about
paper! We love the feel and textures, which
is such a welcome deviation from the digital
world. It's classic, and nostalgic.
Q. What are your current top-sellers that
every client seems to want?
AA. There are definitely a few designs that
our teens gravitate towards. This past
season, florals and watercolor designs were
very popular. Floral Fireworks, Watercolor
Splash and Mandala Sunflower are
favorites among our teen girls. Boys have
been gravitating towards distressed
backgrounds. Our Don't Distress design
has been very popular for the boys. Certain
color palettes are also favorites, all shades
of blue, purple and pastel colors for sure
are bestsellers.
Q. If you were a stationery product, what
would you be?
JR. Definitely a thank you note! I have
always been a stickler about writing thank
you notes - it's something I enforce to my
kids as well. I believe it is so important
to express your gratitude to others, and
there's nothing like a hand-written note, to
show it. It's so much more personal than
a text or email.
Q. What is your best buy under $50?
JR. We have a line of gorgeous double thick
paper stocks in smooth, eggshell, shimmer
and linen textures, which cost only $50
per 100 invites to upgrade. These paper
stocks make so much more of an impact
and statement, as they are both beautiful
and much more substantial - definitely a
good value!
Q. What is your best splurge?
JR: One of our best splurges would be
a multi-layer invitation - especially one
that uses metallic or glitter paper stocks,
which really add a bold pop. The cost of
the extra layer varies depending upon size
and texture, but they range between $1.50
and $3/unit. A second, more economical
splurge is an envelope liner. At 75 cents
per liner, we can design a complementary
pattern or color, which not only enhances
the whole look of the invitation once it's
opened, but also makes the envelope feel
more substantial.
One recent client loved Broadway, so Julie and Alana
designed not just her logo, but several customized
Playbill centerpieces as well.
Photographs courtesy of Kristine Foley
STATIONERYTRENDS.COM
35
http://www.STATIONERYTRENDS.COM
Summer 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Summer 2020
