This month we’re focusing on Leanne (& James) from Letterbox Lane. I met Leanne when I first owned Chirpy so it was lovely to see up again this year at PG Live tradeshow. We’re delighted to be restocking her gorgeous cards.

To get to know Leanne a little bit more, here’s a little interview we did with her :

Tell me a little bit about yourselves.

Hello I am Leanne and I am the owner of Letterbox Lane, a joyful stationery and paper goods brand based in Nottingham. I started my business around ten years ago with the hope of being able to draw for a living and scatter joy with my designs at the same time. I run Letterbox Lane around my two children who are now at school. My husband James helps out with the business side of Letterbox Lane too when he isn't at his 9-5, maths is definitely more his skillset than mine! 

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

 I have always created and loved to draw from a very young age, but I actually studied drama at university and carried on acting for a few years after I graduated. I then worked in a school but I found I was creating on the side of work most days. I started off just making cards for friends and family and for the first couple of years my work was all handmade. Then I discovered procreate and found a brilliant local printers and my work really developed from that point. I have learnt everything on the job which has meant it has been a slow journey sometimes,but I am really proud of the progress I have made.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

A normal day starts with having a coffee after the chaos of getting two children ready for school. I have a small studio room in our house so the commute is rather easy.

My working day starts around 9am and I finish around 2.30pm ready for the school run. I try to get outside most days and when I start the day with a walk or a jog around the park I always feel better for it. Most days are different but I package online orders most days and have a daily walk to the post office. I spend a bit of time posting on instagram stories and chatting to other creatives on instagram. As an introvert I actually enjoy working alone, but I do go a bit crazy if I don't chat to people, so I kind of see Instagram dms and stories as my staff room. I have been working hard on the wholesale side of my business recently so I will try and reach out to stockists too or package shop orders each week. I also make sure that I structure in time to draw in my sketchbook or on my ipad too, because turning your hobby into a business means that you actually don’t get as much time to create if you don’t make space for it. 

Biggest achievement to date (personally or business wise)?

I think pushing myself last year to do my first trade show felt like such a big step for me and my business. There is so much thought that goes into the stand and how you present your business. I recently completed my second trade show and it was brilliant to see how far I had grown in confidence since the previous year.

Where can we find your cards?  

You can find a selection of my work in Chirpy and nearly 30 other shops around the uk. I also have my own website if you want to see my designs online at letterboxlane.co.uk 

Favourite card you’ve designed  / most popular card design?

One of my favourite cards and also a bestseller is the ‘you make the world brighter’ card which has lots of brightly coloured tulips on it. It is fun and I love the joy it brings.  

Have you seen any changing card trends over the last 12 months?

I have seen more people buying cards to encourage rather than just cards for occasions or milestones. 

Why do you think sending cards is still so important?

I think cards are a way of connecting people. There is something so simple and yet so beautiful knowing someone has gone out of their way to let you know that they are thinking of you, whether that is on your birthday or just because they want to remind you of how brilliant you are. I love that I get to be a part of that. 

Best thing about running your own business?

Bringing ideas from my head onto paper then seeing them made into a product is pretty cool. I also love that I get to work around my family too and buying stuff from charity shops and justifying it as buying props for photoshoots!

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business?

I would say get around others that are already doing it well, find a community to cheer you on and give you advice. I would also say keep creating just for you, create things that you have no intention of sharing on instagram. 

Plans for the future?

I really want to keep growing the wholesale side of my business. I would love Letterbox Lane to be in at least one shop in every city in the uk. I also want to keep developing my illustrations and would love one day to illustrate a children's book.

To see Letterbox Lane’s gorgeous cards then pop into Chirpy