Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassie Kruemcke.
Hi Cassie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began my business, WirrWarr Wraps, as a side hustle to my full-time career in 2018, teaching wrapping classes and performing wrapping demonstrations. I officially took WirrWarr Wraps full-time in 2020 and launched my first line of custom-designed wrapping paper in October 2020.
While sitting at Whole Foods one evening with a friend complaining about how much I was disappointed in my job, she simply said without hesitation, “you should teach wrapping classes”. Wrapping classes? Why on earth would I do that? I’m not a teacher, Teaching actually terrifies me. But I saw where she was coming from. I am known for my wrapping. It has a very distinctive look. Friends would ask me all the time to show them how I do it, or even better, just do it for them. For a second, I thought hmmm, she may be on to something. It was November 2018 and the holiday season was already here and my friend was adamant that I host a class by the first of December. “This December, like in a month, December?,” I asked. She said, “Absolutely.” To which I quickly said, “There is NO WAY.” Luckily, she convinced me I could pull it together. I secured a location, sold 20 tickets and got to planning a class. It was a hit so I did another, but alas the holidays ended and my real life, full-time day job responsibilities resumed as usual. But the seed had been planted and the dreaming had begun.
I conducted more classes holiday 2019 and then we all know what happened in 2020. In June 2020, I lost my job and took advantage of that forced time off while the world was shutting down around us. On September 4, 2020, I received an email from a local private club wanting me to host a wrapping class in late October. Of course, without hesitation, I said YES. Those dreams I had mentioned above, well they included me designing my own wrapping paper to use and sell at my events and now I had a deadline and an event to launch it. I am a graphic designer and advertiser by trade and it is something I have always wanted to do – design and sell my own product.
I showed up at my event with 3 distinctive wrapping paper designs, rolled up and ready to sell. I taught my class and now participants would not only leave with the knowledge on how to replicate my technique, they could now purchase the materials to create it exactly as I do.
In December 2020, I hosted one of my largest events. By necessity, I created individual “wrapping kits” for each participant so everyone could keep their safe distance at the time. From this event, the Ribbon Strip Kit was born. My use of many different ribbons and curating them to create a WirrWarr Bow was somewhat daunting to people – where to get the ribbon, what to buy, how much to buy, etc. I unknowingly solved a problem I didn’t even know existed. And I know there is something big with this idea.
In January of 2021, I designed and released 3 more paper designs, hosted more classes, and participated in some collaborations. Then I added gift tags and cocktail napkins. In October 2021, I participated in my first large market with more new designs and products such as gift tags, note pads, candles, and tote bags. The next step is going wholesale with ongoing plans to grow my wrapping empire!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been an organic road. I have the benefit of age and experience of owning my own business years ago and learning from those mistakes. I also have the advantage of knowing how to physically do a lot of the work that building a paper company requires. However, I am still learning something new nearly every single day which is incredibly inspiring. Of course, there have been struggles. Being an entrepreneur is probably one of the most difficult jobs one can have because it’s all on YOU. Asking for help where you know you have weaknesses is a major game-changer. And having a solid core group of family and friends who are willing and want to help is also crucial to my success. Grateful does not even begin to appropriately describe how I feel about those who have helped, and continue to help along the way.
Now that I believe in myself and what I am creating as much as my peers do, I am ready to take WWW to the next level and beyond!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
WirrWarr Wraps (WWW) is a creative brand specializing in custom-designed gift-wrapping paper and accessories. I also teach and demonstrate trademarked wrapping techniques through in-person or virtual classes and special events.
I have over 25 years’ experience as a professional designer at some of the top agencies in my hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. I am also an avid gift wrapper (thanks to my mom) known for my distinct wrapping techniques. I had long dreamed of marrying my love and expertise in design and printing with the retail side of gift wrapping. Along came 2020 and a career pivot that butt kicked me into expanding WWW from in-person gift wrapping classes to my very own line of wrapping paper, wrapping accessories, and ongoing development of my wrapping empire.
I have a truly unique and bold sense of style that comes alive in all of my designs and one-of-a-kind wrapping techniques, coined The WirrWarr Way. There isn’t a color or pattern I am afraid of (mostly), or willing to mix. For me, it’s all about mastering the art of scale and coordination. That is what makes WWW and my designs so incredibly unique and engaging.
In just one year, I have an entire product line of wrapping paper consisting of twelve individual designs, ribbon strip kits, a multitude of gift tags and toppers, notepads, cocktail napkins, candles, and tote bags. ALL created and designed by me, packaged by me (and a few helpers 😉 and sold by me. And this is only the beginning!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am a very short and petite person, usually dressed in a plethora of bold colors and patterns, not to be missed in a crowd. It tends to surprise people that I am actually very shy. But once I’ve warmed up to you, I am quite charismatic (so I think, lol) and love to curse…a little too much. Oh, my sweet mother would be so mortified. Or maybe she’d applaud my sass. I’m going with the latter.
Pricing:
- Paper & Products $7 – $50
- Classes $75 – $100
- Private Events $500+
Contact Info:
- Email: cassie@wirrwarrwraps.com
- Website: www.wirrwarrwraps.com
- Instagram:www.instagram.com/wirrwarrwraps
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/wirrwarrwraps
