Summary by Aggie Toppins

On November 3, Paper Source hosted the year's sixth Small Talk at their headquarters on Milwaukee Avenue. The spacious facility was set up like a science fair, with upwards of sixty visitors moving from station to station. With 32 stores nationwide, Paper Source is in their busiest time of year. They completed their Christmas rush only to "run and keep running," as they say, into the spring and wedding season.

Cindy Prangl, Director of Design, and Laura LaDew, General Merchandising Manager, opened the evening with a few words about Paper Source and their recently retired founder, Sue Lindstrom. "Working with Sue was a wild ride," said Prangl affectionately. LaDew offered a humorous anecdote about a business trip to Japan with Sue, who worked tirelessly and passionately in spite of an allergic reaction to shellfish. Today, Sue has retired to the American Southwest, but her indefatigable spirit is still a part of the culture at Paper Source.

The remainder of the event was casual and personal. Small groups stopped and conversed with speakers placed at different points throughout the company's workspace. Each little station represented some aspect of the Paper Source business such as custom invitation design, pattern development, kits, rubber stamps and catalog design. There were craft activities and informal conversations. The buying team also gave tours through their mock store, a miniature version of Paper Source.

The secret to Paper Source's success is the balance between a selection of good products and the meeting of financial goals. The design and buying teams work closely together. On the merchant side of the business, costs are defined and profits are estimated. While some products are outsourced, many are proprietary and developed internally. The design side of the business thus creates a unique suite of products while growing and expanding the Paper Source brand.

"We work something until we all love it," said Prangl.

Moving forward, Paper Source is working to expand their product offerings into new substrates and textiles. They have recently launched a number of aprons and tote bags inspired by their paper patterns.