“We always knew we wanted to create a business together; we just didn’t know what it would be,” says Becky Filler.

She’s talking about Scissor Sisters, the scrapbooking company she and her sister Denise Rockvam launched in early 2004. Avid scrapbookers for six years, the siblings decided to build a business around their passion.

“In April 2003, we were discussing the possibilities of a joint venture and the topic of scrapbooking came up,” Becky explains. “Jokingly, one of us said, ‘Hey, why don’t we design our own scrapbooking stickers?’ ‘We really should!’ Why don’t we?!’

“Surprisingly, that conversation started it all.  It was a light-bulb moment for both of us.”

The following seven months were spent designing their sticker line while also taking care of their five sons (all five years old and younger).

“We look back and think about how funny it was for us to create in such chaos,” Becky smiles. “We served them lunch daily on kitchen tables, where they had approximately two inches of space to eat, because both our kitchens had become design central.”

Scissor Sisters currently offers 20 themed cardstock stickers, all designed to have the look of dimensions, layers, and textures – but without all the bulk. Becky and Denise decided to focus their designs on hard-to-find themes, such as Adoption and In Loving Memory.

“We found that certain topics were difficult to create layouts for because they were missing from the scrapbooking market,” Denise notes. “For instance, we created ‘In Loving Memory,’ which is a subject often avoided, but close to all our hearts. We lost our own mother at a young age and we feel it is important for us to share the memory of her with our boys.

"Although some of our loved ones may not be with us, their lives can still be remembered in a beautiful way. We want to make it easier for scrapbookers to create meaningful layouts, whatever the subject.”

The two siblings work on all the designs together, finding inspiration in everything from billboards to magazines to clothing.

“Because our company name is ‘Scissor Sisters,’ we often get asked if we truly are sisters. Yes, we are!” Denise smiles. “Although we know that working with family isn’t always recommended, we wouldn’t do it any other way. As far as a career goes, everyone always says to do what you love, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.  It’s just a huge bonus that we get to do this together!”

Denise notes that disagreements sometime arise, but when they do, the two remind themselves that at times they should agree to disagree.

“We know how important this business is to both of us, how important we are to each other, and that ultimately we have the same goals and dreams for Scissor Sisters,” she says.

Denise’s husband Chris had significant experience with forming corporations, and he helped the two set up Scissor Sisters as a corporation. Becky’s husband Jason, with an extensive computer background, was instrumental in designing the company web site.

“We were able to convey exactly what we wanted and he created it, and also maintains it.,” Becky says.

“Scissor Sisters is a true family and friends venture,” Denise expresses. “We appreciate all of the love and encouragement we’ve both been given to strive for our dreams. We could not have done this without our husbands’, family and friends’ support.”

“The time we put into the business varies quite a bit,” Becky notes. “We can work anywhere from two hours a day to twelve hours a day, just depending on what it is we’re working on.

“It is still very important for both of us to be at home with our boys as much as possible.  Therefore, we try to alternate days at the office to help distribute the work load.  We’ve also hired two employees to help with the processing and shipping of orders, so that we’re able to still devote time to designing.”

“We both agree that balancing our family and work has been a challenge,” Denise continues. “This new business has been a big deal for our families and we know that a little disruption is to be expected. However, some change is good.

“Our advice for other business owners concerning time management is to always know what your priorities are with both work and family.”

In January 2004, Scissor Sisters debuted their sticker line with a mass mailing to scrapbook stores around the world. Each package contained a catalog, order form, and product samples.

“We felt it was very important for store owners to see the quality of our product first hand,” Becky explains. “We included special incentives to purchase our stickers, because we were not attending the HIA trade show.

“The response from the mailing was terrific and has kept us busy ever since. Our stickers are now being sold throughout the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. And we’ve recently been contacted by scrapbook stores in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. We both feel very blessed from the reaction we’ve received from retailers and consumers.”

The company is also experimenting with paid advertising in the scrapbooking magazines, with ads in the premiere issue of CorrespondenceArt and PaperKuts’ Beginners Book.

“As a new company that plans on being around a long time, we feel  that advertising is key,” Denise notes.

“Research, research, research!” the partners advise. “They say knowledge is power and we’ve found this to be very true. Be realistic, know that although you may be pursuing your dream there are many aspects that go into launching your own business.

“For instance, you may love to design, but that won’t be your only job. In addition, there will be customer service, advertising, processing orders, shipping orders, ordering supplies, keeping your website updated, making contacts, scheduling events, keeping up with all the latest trends…not to mention all the legal aspects of starting a company.

“However, having said that, if it’s your dream and your passion, it’s ALL worth it!  We both look back at the past year and sometimes wonder if we knew all that was involved, would we have taken that first leap? But we just handled it one obstacle at a time, one day at a time, and got closer to our dream.

“Never underestimate the power of two determined women!” they smile. “And also, never underestimate the power of your own dreams or yourself.”

“We see the scrapbooking industry just getting bigger and bigger,” Denise says. “We feel that this craft and hobby has so much meaning and is so important, that its popularity is just bound to increase. And that the quality and selection of products will just get better and better.”

“We are currently designing a new 12x12 paper line to coordinate with our stickers,” Becky says. “We’re hoping to debut this line at the ACCI trade show in July. It is our goal that retailers and consumers will continually return to Scissor Sisters for the latest and greatest in new products.”

Please visit Scissor Sisters to learn more – be sure and tell Becky and Denise that Fun Facts Publishing sent you!

 

Scissor Sisters
Becky Filler and Denise Rockvam, Owners
www.scissor-sisters.com

 

Want to stay up-to-date on the scrapbook industry? Sign up for "Scrapbook Industry News™, our FREE email newsletter, and receive tons of information delivered directly to your email box! Click here to subscribe.