April 2019 marks the third year in business for Lettering Works. It all began back in spring 2016 when I was a senior at Bradley University. I had an idea for a greeting card company, that I named “Lettering Works” because I liked the dual meaning of lettering “art work” and knew I’d need to educate customers on how lettering works exactly (and for what purposes, such as custom designed cards). In April 2016, I participated in Bradley’s Project Springboard Student Entrepreneurship Competition and won $10,000 in startup funding.

Over the past three years, I’ve developed incredible relationships with clients I know call friends and friends I now call clients. Building these relationships and having people trust my work and abilities has meant the world to me. I have been so fortunate to have a handful of passion projects that have helped carve a place for my business in the community including 100 Days of Peoria, Hand Letter West Main, Steph’s Stickers, and Unpolished Press.

Three years in business is a big deal to me because most startups don’t make it past three years and many entrepreneurial advisors say that things don’t start to pick up until about three years in. I am so happy and thankful for the growth I’ve seen in both my business and myself throughout this journey in entrepreneurship and small business ownership.

To celebrate three years of hard work and all that has come of my tireless efforts to turn this passion of creating into a full-time career, I have a full week of fun lined up including events., giveaways, and special sales. It can be really challenging as a small business to feel like you are reaching new people and growing. I’d ask that if you are taking the time to read this that you take a moment to share my business with someone you know - this could be through tagging them in a post I’ve made, sending them a link to a project I’ve done, or bringing it up in conversation. These are the ways you can truly help your friends in business succeed.

Let’s break down the schedule of what’s happening:

MONDAY - APRIL 22 - ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY - ALL DAY
Find Lettering Works on Instagram and Facebook to see how you can enter to win some Lettering Works prizes.

TUESDAY - APRIL 23 - HAND LETTERING WITH CHELSIE TAMMS WORKSHOP - 5:30-7:30PM
Learn how to create unique letterforms and other basics of lettering so you can use hand lettering in a variety of applications and projects. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up at www.letteringworks.com/workshops.

WEDNESDAY - APRIL 24 - STICKER SALE - ALL DAY
A special discount code for 30% off will be released for ONE DAY ONLY as an extra special way to celebrate reaching year three.

THURSDAY - APRIL 25 - RIBBON CUTTING - 12:30-1:00PM
We have a lot planned for this lunchtime event including the launch of Projekts new branding and a live performance from the singer-songwriter duo, an appearance by Steph and Barbie of Steph's Stickers, special giveaways, and cake!

FRIDAY - APRIL 26 - FOURTH FRIDAYS IN MORTON - 5:00-8:00PM
Come shop our collection of hand-lettered goods at Morton's kick-off Fourth Friday event. We will be set up at the new artisan market at the corner of Jefferson and Main.

I cannot thank everyone enough who has made this dream of mine a reality over these past three years. It has been a truly incredible journey filled with countless special moments. I hope you’ll consider celebrating with me.