(This article, reprinted with permission, featuring Sarah Jones Nusken, class of 1985, appeared in The Columbus Dispatch on July 12, 2006)  7/17/06

Notes worthy

Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Tracy Turner
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Despite having a large following of customers at nearly 500 stores in 39 states, the creators of Donovandesigns had never sold their stationery goods in their own store. Until now. Sarah Nusken and Katie Vincent have opened a retail store, Pinney Kelly Paper in Upper Arlington, to sell their hand-designed stationery products. Their creations include wrapping paper, luggage tags, gift enclosures, recipe cards, thank-you notes, personalized stationery and notepads. Donovandesigns, which started six years ago, was based on work Vincent and Nusken created while on a vacation with their families.

On the advice of family and friends, the former college roommates took their designs to the Stationery Show in New York, an annual industry trade show for retailers and designers.

On their first showing at the trade show, the young company garnered wholesale contracts with 250 retailers, Nusken said.

"We knew we’d built a nice local customer base, but we were surprised at the response in New York," she said. "We had no idea that many stores would like our designs."

The Columbus women said the initial investment to start the company came from their own savings. They have since used profits to continually invest in the company.

A meager start with sales of $1,000 the first year has given way to a meteoric rise. Sales hit $600,000 last year and are expected to top $1 million in 2006, Nusken said.

The company maintains a warehouse near the airport and employs 22 workers.

Carol Darer, who owns CPD Designs in Bexley, said she carries the Donovandesigns line because it’s "a great new line at a good value."

"They have cute, fresh design ideas that’s sold well because it’s inexpensive and people like them," Darer said.

Meredith Kauffman agrees. She said the choices of patterns and colors "are so original; I love them."

"I’ve bought their stuff online before, but when I heard they had opened a store here, I had to come in," the Upper Arlington resident said, as she made her design choice for her order of customized baby announcements.

Prices at the store range from $4.95 for a roll of wrapping paper and $20 for a set of four miniature personalized notecards to $18 for a personalized luggage tag and $35 for a set of personalized stationery.

The store also carries stationery products by other designers, including Boatman Geller, Sugar Cookie Cards and Whitney English.

Nusken said she and Vincent plan to open more stores in the future.

"It can be done, if you set your mind to it," she said of the company, which started in their basements.

"It’s been hard but also so rewarding."

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