The most experienced stationer in the Twin Cities...bar none.

It’s official—the carpet’s been removed, the sign has come down, and the keys have been returned. As of 3:00 this afternoon, February 1, 2008, Details Ink has gone to “store heaven.” Rest assured, it’s been a bittersweet transition, in that the next phase of my life is already in an exciting, high gear, but the familiar faces I was so accustomed to seeing aren’t part of my new daily routine. Time will make the “new normal”...well...normal. Until then, know that all is well, wonderful, and action-packed in my world!

In response to questions already drifting my way:

Q: Why did you close the store?
A: Since the day we signed the original lease in 1994, there’s been an exclusive use (aka: non-compete) clause in it, preventing other mall tenants from selling personalized invitations, stationery, and other related items, since that was the backbone of Details Ink. Unfortunately, current mall ownership allowed another tenant to move into those exact areas—sometimes selling the same lines at a hefty discount. After many months of trying to resolve the problem, we recognized this crisis was actually an opportunity in disguise. It allowed both Jennifer and I the freedom to chase our dreams now rather than wait until our lease expired in two years.

Q: What are those dreams?
A: In Jennifer’s case, she’s about to tear down a house in Kenwood and rebuild it from scratch. That alone is a massive undertaking (and trust me—having seen a remodel and a build out she’s done in the past, the new digs are gonna be great).

As for me, the last two years, I’ve essentially juggled two full time careers, between the store and my other industry commitments. My dream has been to “pay it forward,” sharing the experience and wisdom gained over fourteen years with other independent retailers in hopes of supporting not just one storefront, but many storefronts. This is my big shot.

Q: So what are you doing now?
A: Wearing a lot of hats, including a continuation of my speaking engagements (Boston, Chicago, and New York already this year), consulting, writing, and board positions. In August, I launched a national association for independent retailers called RetailSpeaks that’s keeping me busy; to fulfill a promise to myself, there’s a week-long vacation planned for late February. All in all, my dream of helping others is coming true...I am so blessed!

Q: Where am I going to buy my stationery now?
A: That kind of depends on what it is you’re referring to. I’ll continue to service some of our corporate clients as a freelance stationer and designer. For non-commercial accounts, we suggest you visit the vendor’s site you’re interested in (ex: Crane.com) to look up local dealers in the area. For obvious reasons, we can’t suggest one local store over another, as each has their own particular manner of doing business.

Q: How do I contact you?
A: For Details Ink business, click here. For those interested in consulting, writing, Market Buyer Services, or speaking engagements, please visit AlwaysUpward.com.