2009 looks to be promising!

Thanks to everyone who came by our booth at the bridal show this past Sunday. We've done 4 shows over the past 3 years and this was BY FAR our most successful show. We met hundreds of wonderful brides and have been absolutely flooded with inquiries and positive feedback this week. We are beyond grateful.

As I look back on 2008, I just cannot believe how much we have grown and how far we have come. Of course, we wouldn't be where we are without our past brides. Many whom we still keep in touch with - and many whom we miss seeing on a regular basis. Here's a glimpse into what 2008 was like for us (the big stuff anyways):

• We saw a 259% increase in sales from 2007
• We were voted "#1 invitations" in Akron/Canton in the Fox8 Hotlist Competition
• We decided to focus more on catalog invitations - increasing the number of albums brides can order from. Started out the year with 7 catalogs, ended the year with 39
• We changed our name from Simple Persuasions to Paper Persuasions to better describe our core business (not to mention we liked the alliteration)
• We moved from a 1,000 sf office building on Front Street to a nearly 2,000 sf storefront on Graham Road - proudly joining a shopping plaza containing 3 other leaders in the wedding industry
• With the move we went from being 'open by appointment only' to being just 'open' 5 days a week with evening and weekend hours available to encourage walk-in traffic
• We restructured our business to be a joint Limited Liability Company rather than a Sole Proprietorship

We eagerly await the blessings and challenges that 2009 has in store for us and we thank each and every one of you for your continued business, support, and referrals.

Stephanie and Stacy