Tag: small business

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Papersmith began not as a business, but as a quiet hobby. Donna D’Souza, with a deep-rooted love for art and craft, spent her spare time creating handmade cards, gifts, and artworks for her close circle of friends and family. These thoughtful creations became cherished keepsakes. What started as casual gifting soon found itself at a curious crossroads. Encouraged by friends during a casual conversation, Donna created a small page to showcase her work—just for fun. She had no idea that her hobby was about to blossom into something more. People not only loved what they saw—they wanted to buy it. That’s when Papersmith began its transformation into a homegrown brand.

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But building something from scratch wasn’t easy. Donna had to navigate everything from sourcing reliable vendors to understanding pricing models, packaging, timelines, and most importantly, customer expectations—all while managing every detail on her own.

💡 Inspiration in Every Corner

Where does Donna find her creative spark? Everywhere. From whimsical imagination to heartfelt reference images, she draws inspiration from a wide range of sources. But what sets her apart is how she reinterprets references to make something uniquely hers. Her golden rule: never replicate—always reinterpret. And the most powerful source of all? Her clients’ stories. From personal memories to touching milestones, Donna transforms emotions into designs that speak volumes.

💬 Custom-Tailored, Just for You

Each piece Donna creates is personal—because she makes sure it is. Every order begins with a detailed conversation where clients share the occasion, their color preferences, dislikes, size requirements, and even emotional details. Whether it’s for a housewarming, a birthday, or a wedding, Donna ensures each project becomes a collaborative experience.

Even when clients request a recreation of a past design, Donna gives it a unique spin. She starts with a sketch and invites feedback before bringing the artwork to life. Every detail, down to the placement of each strip, is carefully curated—no templates, no shortcuts. Just genuine, personalized art.

🕰️ A Thoughtful Timeline, A Careful Process

To maintain her creative rhythm without compromising on quality, Donna follows a four-week timeline for most orders. It begins with sketching a draft and sharing it with the client. After incorporating any feedback, she moves on to the quilling stage—rolling, shaping, and assembling intricate paper strips. Once complete, the piece goes for framing before it’s finally packed and delivered.

Throughout the journey, Donna keeps her clients in the loop. Every update is a reassurance, and over time, this transparent approach has built deep trust between artist and audience.

🏡 The Nameplates That Became a Signature

Among all her creations, one product stands out: the nameplates. These quickly became Papersmith’s most loved and ordered items. There’s something deeply special about having your name beautifully quilled and placed at the entrance of your home or bedroom. During the pandemic, demand for these nameplates skyrocketed—with Donna crafting over 20 per month at one point. Even today, they remain a staple product and a symbol of the brand’s identity.

✍️ The Step-by-Step Creative Journey

Donna’s artistic process is meticulous. It starts with conceptualizing the idea—playing with font styles, motifs, and color palettes. Next comes the rough design sketch, which is then refined with client feedback. After final approval, she begins the intricate quilling work. Once the piece is complete, it’s framed and carefully packaged. This step-by-step structure helps Donna maintain consistency and a high standard of finish in every single piece.

📲 More Than Just Art—A Community

Papersmith isn’t just about paper—it’s about people. Donna goes the extra mile to keep her audience engaged through relatable content, polls, fun reels, and behind-the-scenes peeks on social media. This approach has helped build a community that feels seen, heard, and involved. The best part? When clients reach out months—or even years—later to say their artwork still brings joy, it reaffirms why she does what she does.

💼 Daytime Deadlines, Nighttime Designs

Juggling a full-time corporate job alongside running a creative business isn’t easy. Most of Donna’s weekdays are consumed by desk work. But creativity doesn’t follow office hours. Inspiration strikes unexpectedly—in a conversation, an image, or even a quiet moment. Donna notes these ideas down and explores them when time allows, often during evenings and late nights.

🌪️ Chaos, But Make It Beautiful

Creative work isn’t always tidy. Donna’s workspace often becomes a lively chaos of paper strips and tools, but within that mess lies magic. The actual artwork is always handled with the utmost care, and she finds humor in the clutter—like losing a tool seconds after setting it down. This chaos, she admits, is part of the adventure.

✨ The Dream? Not Fame—But Impact

Unlike many, Donna doesn’t dream of collaborating with celebrities. Her dream collaboration is more grounded—seeing her work featured in a prestigious magazine or on the desk of a respected editor. Such recognition would elevate the art of quilling and bring her handmade stories to a wider audience.

🌙 Creativity After Dark

Donna’s most inspired hours? The night. Back in college, nights were the only time she could create—and the habit stuck. Today, she still finds herself quilling through the night, completely immersed in her craft. These peaceful hours, when the world is quiet, are when she feels most connected to her art.

As a first-generation entrepreneur, Donna’s path was paved with trial and error. In the early days, she often overworked herself—skipping meals, staying up late, and pushing hard to keep up with demand. But time taught her the value of balance. Now, she takes intentional breaks, whether it’s reorganizing her studio or simply resting. This space helps preserve her creativity for the long run.

💬 Feedback That Fills Her Cup

What do clients love most about Donna’s work? Its precision. The clean lines, perfect curves, and overall neatness never fail to impress. That attention to detail is what makes every piece so treasured—and what brings customers back again and again.

Every review, whether a short thank-you or a heartfelt note, is a memory Donna holds close. Clients often write in to say the piece made someone cry with joy or lit up their home. These messages are more than testimonials—they’re emotional fuel that keeps her going on difficult days.

🌍 What’s Next for Papersmith?

Looking ahead, Donna hopes to grow Papersmith beyond Goa and India—to reach hearts across the globe. She dreams of conducting workshops, teaching others the art of quilling, and fostering a wider appreciation for this intricate craft. She envisions her handmade pieces finding homes all over the world, continuing to tell stories through the timeless beauty of paper.

 Papersmith is not just a brand—it’s a labor of love, a journey of self-expression, and a testament to the magic that happens when passion meets purpose.