Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Pujol.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was in college, I was frequently called upon to make banners and posters for events because I’ve always had nice penmanship. When I graduated, one of my friends gave me my first well of ink and dip pens. I picked up a pen, wrote something very ugly, and decided it wasn’t for me. About a year later, I stumbled upon the gift again and watched a YouTube video to figure out how it was supposed to work (pro-tip: if you try something with zero instruction or direction, you will likely fail). I started to get the hang of it, and soon thereafter was gifted calligraphy brush pens. I started to write little notes in my free time and followed as many Instagrammers as I could who made videos for all different kinds of calligraphy, and decided that the following summer, I would open an Etsy shop. Somewhere along the way I also started to try my hand at watercolor painting and Photoshop, and have now had my shop for almost two years, making custom prints, wedding placecards, decorative event chalkboards, and everything in-between. I’m very grateful for those people who gifted my first calligraphy tools and especially for all of the support I received when I was first starting out. Every day brings a new challenge and I love learning new things about how best to serve my clients.
Has it been a smooth road?
Something I quickly realized was that it’s not all about your ability to make pretty things; that is obviously a big part, but I’ve had to learn how best to stage photographs of my finished products, how to develop the best pricing model for stock and custom pieces, how to communicate clearly with clients when I usually never meet them in person, how best to ship items safely and quickly, how to develop my Adobe skills, and of course, how to continue improving my art skills as well. I was a business major in college, and during an entrepreneurship class, I remember deciding that I would never open my own business– too much work! But, I am grateful for everything that I learned that helped prepare me to tackle the obstacles I’ve encountered and will continue to.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the GreetsByDre story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in calligraphy and watercolor prints, mostly florals, Scripture passages, inspiring quotes, etc. My most typical custom orders are wedding placecards and chalkboards for events, although every once in a while I am commissioned for something more specific, like calligraphy on a water bottle for a gift. I am most proud of my willingness to try new things and work with clients to help their vision, however ‘out there’ it might be, come to life.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I hope to expand from the Etsy platform to my own website and to work with local vendors to sell my pieces in their stores. I am a teacher by trade, and I would love to teach calligraphy workshops in the future!
Contact Info:
- Website: greetsbydre.etsy.com
- Email: greetsbydre@gmail.com
- Instagram: @greetsbydre
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greetsbydre/
Image Credit:
@photographybyanastassia, @abby_tohline
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