Meet The Maker: Lindsay from The Penny Paper Co.

When I wrote the business plan for Collected Joy in June of 2014, I didn't know how important working with fellow entrepreneurs was going to be to my creativity, inspiration and business growth.  Every single time I get to connect with the Canadian makers featured in this Meet The Makers Series, I am smarter, I am challenged, I am better at my job.  I want to showcase them in a way that I hope leaves you inspired and more aware of the why and how small businesses start and keep going in Canada.  I call them leaders. I call them hustlers. I call them risk takers. I call them economy builders. I call them the hardest working people I've ever met.  xo,Sharon

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Why do you love what you do for a living? What is your favourite part of your job?
Hands down my favourite part of what I do is being able to design something and bring it to market. The process is 100% the best. From designing and sketching, to the next stage of seeing if things work as a cohesive collection, then finding the right manufacturer (as much as it is a TON of work, it’s amazing when you’ve found the right one). The next stages of designing packaging, photography, styled photos and then – releasing it into the world. That’s the time I tend to move on to designing something new!

How did you decide this is what you wanted to do?
Every stage of the business, from the start up to growth over 16 years has been a constant process of experimenting, putting things out there, failing, pivoting, having something work, and repeat. So I don’t think I’ve ever decided that I’ve wanted to do something, per say, as it’s all been quite a process of playing. :)

When did you know this was what you wanted to do? (What was the moment? Was it a moment?
I think I’m still figuring out what I’m doing, so every day has an “ah-ha!” moment.  But overall, for me it was more a moment of when I realized what I didn’t want to do –sit in a cubicle 5 days a week on a schedule that suited the traditional working model of 9-5.

If you could do anything else, what would it be?
Totally random, but my DREAM job pre-COVID would have been to review hotels from around the world. I LOVE hotels and get giddy over the little details that go into them, the branding, and the user experience. I love the keycards, the personalized brochures, oh my. It gets me so excited! Post Covid? Not so sure. 

Who inspires you?
Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar. 


Do you have a mentor? What is it they provide to you that you value?
I’m lucky to have a few women in my rolodex who are not only mentors but friends. Stacey Davis, founder of LoveFresh, Sharon – the founder of Collected-Joy are two women who I turn to often to bounce ideas off of and inspire me in this journey.  


What’s next for you and your business?
Our send-a-care-box are making me super happy right now, filling up boxes full of candy and treats. We may soon have a warehouse fully of candy to complement our just-as-sweet stationery and gifts. Ps., But after this whole process, I’m definitely thinking about that hotel reviewer job too.