Jessica Huie | Retail

Colorblind Cards www.colorblindcards.com

Precious: When and why did you get the idea to launch Colorblind?

Myself and my business partner AnnMarie Thomson had the idea for a greeting card company featuring children and adults of all ethnicities, in May 2006 – and ColorBlind Cards was launched two weeks after the initial idea! It struck us both that despite living in a multi-cultural community, the high street card stores do not reflect that, whilst a small number of ethnic card brands do exist, the cards themselves are difficult to locate. We wanted to create a range which would appeal to everybody, regardless of race, and would sit proudly alongside the greeting cards in mainstream high-street stores. We can now proudly say we have achieved this, the cards are receiving huge support from everybody, and we already have some independent retailers stocking them, and are also in talks with larger chains.

Precious: Was it difficult to get the project off the ground?

It took a large dose of courage to invest our own personal finances and lots of time in the project. However as a mother to a beautiful black child myself, I was very motivated in making a success of the company. We want children to be able to walk into a store in Oxford street and see a card which features people who look like them that can give them positive images which reflect who they are! Achieving this will be a dream come true.

Precious: How did you first fund the project?

We drew on our personal savings. We both completely believe in the project so this wasn’t an issue. Nothing ventured nothing gained!

Precious: Who designs the cards?

Myself and my partner AnnMarie design the cards and draw on the photographic inspiration of our wonderful photographer, Nina Duncan.

Precious: What is involved in creating a card?

We pick our models, decide on the image and pair it with beautiful inspirational captions. Once the image and caption has been edited and perfected, they are submitted to our printers who send us back the finished creation.

Precious: How much does the average card cost?

Our cards cost £1.95 from our website www.colorblindcards.com and postage is free..

Precious: How successful has the business been so far?

Extremely. The feedback is tremendous and our stockists are growing by the day.

Precious: How do you balance your day job with the demands of your business?

I have always been a multi-tasker, and once my daughter is in bed, I use my time constructively planning the next step to take the business forward. Anything is possible if you apply yourself, and I’m aware that by working hard now, we stand to reap the rewards in the future.

Precious: Where do you see the future of the Colorblind brand?

Our vision is to make ColorBlind Cards into a global brand. The international market is wide open, and we intend the fill the gap!

Precious: Are your products aimed solely at a specific community?

No. Our cards are aimed at everybody, ColorBlind isn’t about excluding anybody, it’s about including those left out! Yes, the cards were created with black, Asian and Mixed-race children in mind but we hope that when consumers look at our cards they don’t base their decision on whether to purchase on the colour of the child’s skin, but on the quality of the card.

Precious: Do you have a favourite amongst the cards you produce?

I love them all, but then I’m biased. My daughter and niece modeled for the first range, so I am particularly proud and sentimental about them!

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