From Passion to Purpose : The Inspiring Story of SaVonne and Aya Paper Co.

Recently, our founder, SaVonne Anderson sat down with Jasmine Garnsworthy of Female Founder World podcast to share her journey creating Aya Paper Co. This conversation was a deep dive into the passion, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped the brand over the past five years. From becoming an industry disrupter in the greeting card industry to celebrating Black joy through authentic products, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to build a business with purpose.

SaVonne shared some of the most pivotal moments in Aya Paper Co.'s history and discussed the future of the brand. If you'd like to listen, you can do so here. Honestly, you should, as this is one of the most in-depth conversations SaVonne has had in public about her journey with Aya Paper Co.

During the podcast, SaVonne and Jasmine discussed a lot including the power of representation, sustainability in business and some entrepreneurial challenges. She also spoke about her experiences, decisions, and gave a lot of opinions that could serve as tips for business owners.

Here are our top 3 quotes from our founder from the Podcast episode.

1. ''The thing that would be so disappointing is every time I went looking for something (greeting cards), I couldn't find anything that really resonated with me. Whether it was a message that I felt really said what I wanted to say, or even an image or an illustration that looked like me. And as a designer, I felt like I was in the perfect position to solve that problem.''

 

2. “I think (Agencies) are really great at taking, when you already have something that's working, and you just need extra manpower or capacity to take it to the next level. But if you haven't done the work of figuring out a strategy that works for your own business, because you know your business better than an agency ever will. So you have to figure that out first before you pass that work on to an agency.”

 

3. “The brand that is not just about the product, but it's about what we believe in and the impact that we want to make and get other people really excited about it.”

At Aya Paper Co., our mission has always been to create gifts that truly resonate—gifts that get you. This podcast episode aligns perfectly with that mission, as it highlights the values and experiences that inform every product we create. Whether it’s a greeting card, a journal, or a gift set, everything we offer is a reflection of our commitment to authenticity and representation.

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