Tanea Smith featured in Success Stories on Chase.com!

Rediscover the Personal Touch of Handcrafted Communications

Ditch the Digital and Make a Real Connection

by Nancy LaFever

Tweeting, texting and pinning are expedient digital ways to connect, but some business owners believe there’s still strong demand for unique, handcrafted ways to stay in touch.

Just ask New York City entrepreneur Tanea Smith, who says instant communications diminish the message.

“I find that with the social media boom, we’ve become woefully detached in terms of authentic connection,” she says. The handmade cards from her company, She’s Got Papers, feature images designed to make the recipient feel empowered and valued. “The handwritten note congratulating you on your promotion will be treasured long after your news feed disappears into cyberspace,” she says.

The inspiration for Smith’s company began when she was a teenage mother on welfare in 1994. “My postpartum weight-loss struggle, my appreciation for a heartfelt thank-you and my passion for thriving despite the odds have all been influential themes in my design process,” she says.

Her “This Road Must Travel” card is a perfect example. “It tells the story of my life. Falling down is hard, but getting back up is so worth it. Each of us know at least three people who need to hear that message right now in our own penmanship, not in a meme.”

Smith also speaks about her past and her business to groups in New York, her hometown, and reminds them of the power of a physical note when seeking a job. “This is one of the most competitive places to do business,” she says, “but companies remember the candidate who stands out. That’s where a handwritten note can set you apart from your competitors and solidify the connection.”

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