Interview with: Heavenly Impressions

Meet the Mom Behind Heavenly Impressions!

Who is Heavenly Impressions and what sets you apart from other greeting card/custom stationery companies? Where are you located?
Rachel Fultz, of Shreveport, LA, is the founder of Heavenly Impressions. All of my photo cards have unique 3D look! They look like mini-scrapbook pages! The embellishments really do look real! But, they just have a 3D look! The embellishments, the customer's picture and personalized text are all professionally printed directly onto the photo card yielding astonishing results! I offer professional printing on your choice of photo paper or 110 lb cardstock! This makes a wonderful and beautiful keepsake for family and friends!

How did you come up with your business name?
When I first started out, my focus was on birth announcements. So, I wanted a name that pertained to beginnings or first impressions. I also wanted to include my Christian beliefs. On the practical side, I also wanted a domain name that wasn't taken. So, I choose, "Heavenly Impressions!"

When and why did you decide to start your own business?
Heavenly Impressions was started in March 2005 and at first was just a way to make a little extra money, but with a lot of hard work, it grew into a full time job!


How did you get started?
I had taught elementary school for 4 years when my son, Landry, was born in January 2005. I sent out his scrapbook style birth announcements and everyone loved them! While on maternity leave, I decided to create a few samples and list them on eBay just to see what happened. I was so excited about my first few orders! I continued to work full time teaching 5-8 year olds during the day and growing my business at night and on weekends. I researched other websites that sold similar products, learned new software, created designs, designed my own website, found two excellent printers, advertised locally and on the internet, kept the books, returned emails, filled and shipped orders . . . all while working full time and taking care of my son, husband and household, too! It became very hard to balance teaching, building a business and family life! To top it off, teachers don't just work from 8:00 - 3:00! All of the preparation, continuing education, parent meetings and faculty meetings are all done outside of the school day. I absolutely dreaded leaving my son at daycare for 10 hours a day! I was finally able to resign from my teaching job in October 2006 and become a WAHM! I am so thankful that God has provided this wonderful opportunity to my family!


What motivates you to keep your business going?
My son, now 3 1/2, motivates me to keep my business going! The thought of going back to work outside the home and placing him in daycare again is just unbearable! And I truly love what I do! I have the best of both worlds now! I get to see my son grow up, teach him at home, and enjoy a creative outlet that helps pay the bills!


Do you have any particular products that are unique and are best sellers on your site?
All of my photo cards and stationery are scrapbook inspired designs and have a unique 3D look that sell well year round. My photo Christmas ornaments are hot sellers during November - January!


How do you advertise your business? Which methods proved successful/effective?
I have listed on eBay, participated in Yahoo's pay per click program, participated in a few local craft shows, advertised in the local newspaper and Kids Directory, exchanged links and advertised on a few "mommy" sites. The best method of advertisement for me has been word of mouth. I have my URL printed on the back of my customer's photo cards. So, each recipient of one of my cards has my website and can look me up!


How do you juggle family and work at home?
It can be hard at times! There are days where I think it would be easier to go back to work, especially on the days my son is so stubborn! LOL! I multi-task all day long!


What advice would you give to moms seeking to become a WAHM?
Work hard, but remember to enjoy your children, too! Being a WAHM isn't all fun all the time. There is the "business" side of business that I have to deal with, too. Bookkeeping, invoicing, emailing customers, packaging, shipping, researching, troubleshooting software, and marketing all go into running my business!


Current promotions/specials at Heavenly Impressions:
Free shipping on all photo card orders of 30 or more through April 30th! Mention you read The WAHM Spot in your email when you place your order to receive your free shipping!

Anything else you'd like to add about Heavenly Impressions or about being a WAHM in general?
Heavenly Impressions isn't just for parents of newborns! We offer photo birthday invitations for kids of all ages, photo Christmas/holiday cards for the entire family, photo bridal shower and photo save the date cards for the bride-to-be, photo baby shower invitations for the mother-to-be as well as Christening/Baptism/Dedication invitations and more!


Visit Heavenly Impressions at: www.heavenlyimpressions.com