Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Bradshaw.
Annie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Annie Poppins Shop started in my 12×12 bedroom (that I shared with a roommate) in my sophomore year at the University of Oklahoma. One of my friends was facing some hard times and their birthday was coming up, so I wanted to mail them a box full of birthday treats to open on their special day. The conversation we had once they opened the box showed me that something as simple as dropping a present in the mail can mean the world to someone. From that moment, I made it my mission to always mail birthday presents to friends. Word traveled fast, and soon people were asking me to assemble gift boxes for them to send out to their friends. To help track a large amount of orders that were coming through, I decided to launch Annie Poppins Shop, my Etsy shop in February 2015. I launched with a variety of boxes: The Birthday Box- everything you could need to have a party for one, The Sunshine Box- a box full of all things yellow and happy, and The Galentine’s Box- the perfect girly pick me up. The Galentine’s box sold out within one night and from that moment, I knew that I was on the right path.
Great, 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?
One of the main difficulties I face is trying to recreate the perfect image I have in my head. I put tasks off until I can give them the undivided attention I think they need so that my work will be as flawless as I’m imagining. But we all know that’s not how this works.
My biggest piece of advice (and advice that I’m still trying to follow myself): keep pushing through- especially when real life might get in the way. Sometimes you just have to get that first Etsy listing up knowing that you will go back and edit the descriptions later. Even though you want to wait for your photographer to have a free afternoon to shoot your products, sometimes you just need to snap some pictures on your iPhone.
At the end of the day, it’s the day-to-day progress that matters. Not perfection. There might be restlessness or uneasiness, but you will be so glad that you continued to invest in yourself and your dreams rather than wait for the perfect moment.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Annie Poppins Shop – what should we know?
I started Annie Poppins Shop before the world of “birthday boxes” blew up to what it is today and I’ve tried to stay true to my original idea rather than altering my gift boxes to “fit in”. I strive to create simple gift boxes that are a happy snail mail surprise rather than a full gift.
As I continue to build my product line, I focus on being as price-conscious as possible. When I started Annie Poppins Shop as a college student, I wanted my gift boxes to be affordable so that my friends would be able to purchase them for their friends. I’ve also realized today that budgets are an even bigger part of young-adult life. I want to help people with a product to help their friends feel loved, but not break the bank at the same time.
While Annie Poppins Shop is filled with gifts/cards that are perfect for your best friend, the simplicity of the gifts are perfect for your co-worker, your brother’s new girlfriend, or your boyfriend’s cousin that you feel obligated to get a little something for. My goal is for my gifts to be versatile yet personal to make that special someone feel loved.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Right now, I’m focusing on personal growth and development— I feel like as a 25-year-old gal, I’m focusing on being the best friend, sister, and co-worker I can be, which I believe starts with what you fill your bucket with. I look to @theeverygirl for general life tips and tricks, I listen to @MsRachelHollis and her Start Today Morning Show on Instagram for a quality pep-talk in the morning, and I just started reading You Are The Girl For The Job by Jess Connolly. I also love to pick up the phone and call friends. At this stage in our life, we’re all going through similar growing pains, and I believe that it’s incredibly helpful to reach out to someone that knows and loves you for their advice.
Contact Info:
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Website: www.pepandpartyco.com
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Email: hello@pepandpartyco.com
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Instagram: instagram.com/pepandpartyco
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Facebook: facebook.com/pepandpartyco
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