For the past 13 years, my wife, Cindy, has owned a stationery store in Chicago. After she received dozens of inquiries from stationery lovers across the country who also wanted to start a stationery business, we saw an opportunity to create a company that could both encourage entrepreneurship and bring personalized stationery to the masses. The idea of producing one-of-a-kind products exactly to the customer’s specifications was appealing and I realized that this required a more personal, consultative approach. As a result, 5 years ago, I founded Paperly, a direct selling company that allows Consultants to work with customers to design and create custom stationery via home parties, events and individual appointments.