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Written by Sandy Larson
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 | | entrepreneur online |
Entrepreneur Gets a Kick Out of Unique Greeting Card Business
When Christy Johnson was shopping for the perfect Valentine’s Day card for her 3 year-old daughter last year, she caught sight of a bin of plastic bouncy balls at the end of the aisle. Figuring her daughter would enjoy receiving a ball much more than a card, she decided to buy one and write her Valentine’s message on the ball itself.
“It was a big hit, and I liked the fact that I was often reminded of the holiday when I saw the ball around the house,” recalls Christy, who resides in Richmond, Texas. “A few months later, when her brother was born, we decided to send her another ‘greeting ball,’ but this time we wanted to mail it so it would be even more special to receive.”
Christy took the ball to the post office and discovered she didn’t even have to box it up — she could just apply the postage and address label on the ball. A few days later, the postman arrived with the ball and handed it directly to Christy’s daughter.
This triggered the idea for Christy’s home-based business — Kickin Cards (www.kickincards.com). “I had always been looking for an opportunity to work from home, but never could identify that ‘magic idea,’” shares Christy, who previously did sales and marketing for construction-related products. “My daughter really enjoyed receiving the ball in the mail, and so, I reasoned, would a lot of other people.”
Kickin Cards are 9” plastic balls imprinted with special greetings like, “It’s Your Birthday….Go out and Play” and “You’re Adora-BALL!” Covered with protective netting, they are delivered fully inflated via the U.S. Postal Service. “The USPS was very helpful in determining what would work best in their process and, ultimately, what would get the Kickin Card to the customer in the best shape in the least amount of time, every time,” she says.
Christy reports that the response she’s received for Kickin Cards has been great. Retailing for $10 (including shipping), the unique greetings are sold on Christy’s web site and at specialty stores. Keep checking your mail — one might bounce your way in the near future! HBM
Previously published in the February 2007 issue of HOME BUSINESS® Magazine, an international publication for the growing and dynamic home-based market. Available on newsstands, in bookstores and chain stores, and via subscriptions ($15.00 for 1 year, six issues). Visit www.homebusinessmag.com
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