Can we all agree that buying the same old sappy, cheesy cards for every celebration is getting really old? You can only put the same lame taglines next to generic pictures before someone needs to step in and put an end to the greeting card madness! Portobello West got the chance to interview Nikki Bordignon, President/CEO of Hug and Kiss Designs Inc. to get the inside scoop on her local greeting card/stationary business venture, as well as what goes into her hilarious products.
Hug and Kiss Designs was established in January 2007, and in Nikki’s words, “makes greeting cards, fridge magnets, calendars, and other stationary items, but with an edge – a sassy, sarcastic, sinister edge… and swearing, lots of swearing.” It’s true, upon entering the Hug and Kiss Designs website, viewers are forewarned that the content may not be suitable for those with a lack of sense of humour – and rightfully so. The cards are absolutely hilarious and totally outside the norm from any traditional cards you’ll find at Dollarama or Safeway. These unique cards, amongst other products, are one of a kind and perfect for anyone who enjoys a little vulgar humour from time to time…or on a daily basis.
When asked to give one thing that people should know about her company, Nikki says, “We do as much as we can to keep our products made in an environmentally friendly and local way.” By ‘we’ she means herself, her 7-month-old baby and 17-year-old brother, as well as her husband occasionally. “All of our cards are printed in BC and we do all the creasing, cutting, and folding of the cards in our very own office using equipment that is strictly human powered (no need for electricity).” Nikki admits that they do need to work with the lights on and Netflix is basically a necessity while working, “but still, it’s very hands on!”
Nikki’s inspiration comes from everywhere. “A single-word said in a movie, a rude person you want to tell-off on the SkyTrain, really anywhere,” she explains. Her inspiration may hit her at any time; “I often find random pieces of paper or notes on my phone with funny taglines or great swear words that I thought of in the middle of the night or while shopping at the grocery store.” The fact that these downright hilarious taglines come straight from Nikki’s witty personality are what make Hug and Kiss Designs so unique.
Though Nikki can’t pick just one must-have item from her vast collection of products, she says that one must-have for customers is a sense of humour. “Our cards and other items are really not for the faint of heart and are likely to offend those serious folks out there. We swear…a lot.” However if she had to pick something specific, Nikki recommends one of her notebooks. “The paper is made from rocks opposed to wood, and they are so cool!” She gushes. We all need cards and little gifts from time to time, and anyone with a good sense of humour who enjoys some full-on cursing every now and then should definitely check out Hug and Kiss Designs for their next holiday, birthday, or whatever celebration comes your way!
Though Hug and Kiss Designs is not based out of Vancouver anymore, (now relocated to Chilliwack), they began their business here with their first show being Portobello West in October 2007. “The Vancouver market scene is so great because there are so many wonderful designers out there creating these amazing and diverse products that have so much thought and care put into them. Over the years it seems more and more people have started to care about where their products are made and I think Vancouverites are really into this movement.” Supporting other local vendors is important to Nikki because she understands firsthand that instead of “lining the pockets of some fat-cat CEO in a big fancy office somewhere around the world” we should be handing money to artists or farmers or any local vendors because “you’re helping them send their kid to ballet or soccer or (in my case) buy diapers and baby food.”
Future business plans are as much as a mystery to Nikki as they are to us. Since having a baby her work schedule has downsized from 12 hours a day to 1-3. “I certainly plan on continuing to stock my retailers with my cards, and do craft shows like Portobello West when I can, but there’s no real time to think about taking on too many new things. Turns out babies need a lot of attention.”
Hug and Kiss Designs Inc has over 100 retailers in North America. To learn more about Nikki’s business and check out her awesome products visit www.hugandkissdesigns.com!
Written by: Kelli Klassen
VISIT The Hug and Kiss Designs Website: http://www.hugandkissdesigns.com/
LIKE Hug and Kiss Design on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hugandkissdesigns