Tracey Ripley took her love of scrapbooking, combined it with her talent and experience as an accomplished illustrator, and did what many scrapbook enthusiasts dream of doing – she designed and launched her own sticker line. It’s The Little Things… officially joined the scrapbooking industry in June 2002.

“I realized that there are so many themes in the scrapbook world that have not even been touched on yet,” Tracey explains. “Everyone records the events in their lives differently, so the potential for ideas is almost endless! The idea of designing my own line of stickers seemed like a perfect fit for me. I really enjoy it!”

It’s The Little Things… currently offers nearly 40 different designs, ranging from “Skate Park” to “Home Improvement” to the one-of-a-kind “Asian Adoption Boy” and “Asian Adoption Girl.”

“I would say that the style is whimsical, and yet still has a realistic feel about it,” Tracey says. “I always try to concentrate on designs that can’t be found or are hard to find. If I do design a traditional theme, I try to include elements in the design that have not been included by anyone else before. I also feel that my style is unique. I have heard from many people that my line has a totally different look than any other line that they have seen.”

Tracey’s policy as a designer and manufacturer is to only sell wholesale to retail stores.  “Consumers can find my products at the link to online stores on my homepage,” she says. “They can also email me and I will try and help them locate a store near them that carries my products.”

Retailers can contact Tracey to stock her product line in their stores by visiting www.littlethingsstickers.com or by calling 1-866-382-7434.
 

Tracey launched her business as a Sole Proprietor. “It was the right choice for this type of business,” she explains. “I believe in keeping things as simple as I can for as long as I can because down the road as your business grows, there is always more to learn, and things will get more and more complicated.”

Tracey spends about 35 hours a week managing It’s The Little Things…, and she juggles that with a part-time job.

"Sometimes it gets overwhelming,” she admits. “I’m still trying to perfect time management myself. But the best advice I have is set your priorities as far as the business end goes.  Do the most important things first and work on them until you get them done. As far as family and everything else, I fit it in. I usually end up staying up late to get it all done.”

“My family has been great,” she continues. “My husband really believes in what I am doing, which helps a lot. He comes with me to the trade shows and really does a lot of the work while we are there.”
 

Tracey hired Terri Bradford, of Bradford Web Designs, to design her web site. “I learned of her from a local scrapbook store,” she says. “They used her for their site and just loved her. She also does all the updating for me. She’s great!

"I think it is very important for everyone to have a website. If someone is looking for something, they look to the Internet to find it.”
 

Tracey exhibits her business at the scrapbooking trade shows.

“I always exhibit at Memory Trends, since the focus is solely on scrapbooking,” she notes. “You need to make sure you advertise prior to exhibiting at a trade show. And make sure when you advertise you have the booth number on the ad. I think that it is always good to have something new for your customers, and always have a show special. Retailers come to shows for new products and deals.”
 

“I have sent out media kits to market my business, but I haven’t done it long enough yet to get results,” Tracey says. “I have numerous websites that have a link to my site, and that helps.

"But recently I have discovered something that at first I hesitated doing - and that’s getting sales reps. They’re great! If you don’t have a lot of extra money lying around for advertising, then I think that this is a wonderful way to go. They get your product out there, and you only pay them when they get you business!”
 

Tracey invested over $40,000 to get her company started.

“It was scary because I did it without a business loan,” she reveals. “I did it with credit cards mostly. I do not recommend this for anyone! If you can do it another way, please do!

”Now that I have been in business for almost two years, I am going through the process of getting a business loan to consolidate all the debt on the cards. That is another problem. A lot of banks won’t give you a loan until you have been in business for a while. Of course when you start out that’s when you need it the most!

“It will be two years in June that I have been in business,” she continues. “I haven’t seen a profit yet. But if things keep going the way they are so far this year, I should at least break even! The general rule is that it takes five years to see a profit. So I think I’m doing pretty well, since it has only been two for me. I’m excited to see what the results will be at the end of this year!”
 

“There is always competition,” Tracey notes. “I handle it by being as unique with my designs as I can be. I listen to the retailers who make requests for new designs that aren’t out there. Big companies are too busy to listen to one storeowner.”
 

“Make sure that whatever the business is, it’s what you love to do,” she says. “It’s a big investment if it’s something you will do half-hearted. Believe in yourself and your product. And don’t look back. Keep pushing ahead a little at a time.”
 

”I have a new line coming out for the next Memory Trends trade show,” Tracey says. “I am so excited! It will totally focus on different ethnic groups and their holidays and customs.

”I am thoroughly enjoying my endeavor,” she smiles. “And that’s the way it should be.”

Please visit It’s The Little Things… to learn more – be sure and tell Tracey that Fun Facts Publishing sent you!

 

It’s The Little Things…
Tracey Ripley, Artist/owner
www.littlethingsstickers.com
info@littlethingsstickers.com
Toll free: 1-866-382-7434
 

 

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