Ladybugs Creative Stationery

Back in 2002, graphic designer Linda Malek was a full-time mom looking for a creative outlet when someone gave her a set of note cards with a cute graphic on them. It sparked a business idea. “I thought, 'Hey, I could create my own line of custom stationery, right in my own home,'” Linda recalls, and that’s exactly what she did.

First, she started designing graphics — everything from little hearts and ladybugs to footballs and hockey sticks — and soon, she had more than 100 graphics for customers to choose from. She started her first line of personalized camp stationery, so that kids could write letters home to their parents. “I created a dozen different designs, so all you have to do is choose one and customize the name,” says Linda.

The demand was so high that it was time to go into business. All Linda needed was a computer, a printer, and lots of high-quality paper and envelopes. Then, she set to work designing.