Earlier this year, Jen McDonald decided to follow her dreams and open a personalized party goods store in The Woodlands. An extension of her online offerings, Jen Loves Paper is an inviting place full of positivity, bright colors and original designs. Jen’s eye for trends makes her boutique a go-to spot for event planning advice, gifts, and stationery.
WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND JEN LOVES PAPER?
We moved to The Woodlands in 2010 from Austin. My background is in education, but I’ve always loved the arts since I was little. I started doing graphic design and photography as hobby, working mainly with children’s birthday parties and small events and it grew into a business. Before I knew it, I was doing larger events, galas, and fundraisers. I have sold my designs for many years at the Junior League Holiday Market. I just love being the local party guru.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORE?
It was always my dream to open a shop. I thought to myself, if I don’t do it now, then someone else will. This was my dream. I wanted to create an upscale party boutique where I could sell my line of party goods as well as offer a personalized experience for people in the community. For many years I was known as ‘The Woodlands’ cup lady’ and people would send me their event details, from prom parties to 40th birthdays. I would create something unique for them, from cups and koozies, to napkins and invitations. Now, they come into the shop, we chat about their inspiration for their party, and we build a personal connection.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU CREATIVELY?
I’ve always been a doodler. When my son was little, I created these play date cards, essentially business cards, with my name and number on them and gave them to other moms, because I thought they were fun.
When I started the business in 2008, the online personalization space was in its early days, with websites like Etsy and Pinterest starting to gain popularity. I love Etsy, but it’s very anonymous. I love to chat to people and find out more, so I can build something special for them.
People come to me with their ideas, and we take it from there. They might say “Hey, I've got Homecoming, or I'm going to prom, or it’s my husband's 40th birthday. He's an Aggie, the party needs to be maroon.” It’s fun to find inspiration through getting to know people. I helped a single dad throw his son a Mario Kart party that he was organizing by himself.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT OWNING A SMALL BUSINESS IN THE WOODLANDS?
The community has been so supportive over the years. I feel a real sense of support here as a town and with my fellow small business owners. If I’d have lived in a big city, I don’t know that I would have been so successful. Here in The Woodlands, people whisper my name and word travels fast. This is very much a community business. This is where we want to build our life as a family. We’ve got everything we need here.
WHAT UNIQUE PRODUCTS DO YOU SELL IN THE STORE?
Many of my designs are very Woodlands centric, including my “What would George Do?’” collection, inspired by founder George Mitchell. Another custom collection is centered around the phrase “It Takes A Village”. We’ve also got glasses, gift wrap, serving platters and mugs featuring various scenes from around The Woodlands, including The Pavilion, the Woodlands Trolley, and the deer. There are 77381 and 77382 napkins, and a collection called Little Miss Woodlands. It’s about finding meaningful, small details that will resonate with the people who live here.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR JEN LOVES PAPER?
I'm so pleased with how the shop has been received so far. Christmas will be a big for us. I hope to be able to host classes here one day as the shop has an ideal counter workspace. I’d love to offer gift wrapping classes, calligraphy classes or watercolour art classes. I've thought about doing pop-up events in the store too, so I can support some other woman-owned businesses and welcome them to sell their products in the shop. I want to help pay back the other small businesses who have supported me in the past.
