Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/804156
C22 celebrate! • 2017
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Among her services is printing
addresses on invitation envelopes in
the style and color that will match the
invitations. Aside from parties, she also
works on personalized stationery.
Hirsch does a lot of web surfing
to find new products and design
approaches as she learns about the
interests of her clients. She offers check-
lists for a more organized planning
experience, which also gets them think-
ing about items that might not have
come to their attention earlier.
"Whatever I offer is discounted," she
says. "I pass savings along
to the clients as I work
with different vendors."
Hirsch, a Temple Israel
member, volunteers her
time with the Friendship
Circle and Thread, a
group of women explor-
ing different topics. She
also has met clients
through these activities.
"I walk people through
the entire process of plan-
ning their printed goods,"
says Hirsch, whose
business became profitable after six
months.
Hirsch advises allowing plenty of
time to plan. Getting ready early reduc-
es pressure and allows for more think-
ing through of what forms party items
will take.
Susan Siegal and Terri Trepeck intro-
duce customized paper products at
their retail boutique in Franklin. Event
Bliss came from a partnership that
started more than three years ago.
"We offer invitations, place cards,
blow-up photos, note pads — anything
printed," says Siegal, a longtime party
planner teaming with a longtime invita-
tions specialist. "I would go to Terri for
invitations, and we decided we could
combine services to build our customer
base."
Siegal tells customers lower prices
for individual items can be found more
readily through a professional planner
and can make up for the cost of hiring a
planner. Going to a store with merchan-
dise, she says, gives clients firsthand
experience with products and allows
extensive browsing.
"I try to be very creative about invita-
tions because that's the first impression
of a party a guest experiences," Trepeck
says.
Whether balloons, banners or other
large party decorations, the enhance-
ments often are scouted to fall in line
with personalized paper products that
individualize each celebration. One
party, with a world travel theme, had
centerpieces of large balloons coordi-
nated with placemats designed to show
world maps.
"It's more difficult to
enjoy an event if you have
to think about all the
details," Siegal says. "We
take care of that."
Siegal, active in
Congregation Shaarey
Zedek, and Trepeck,
active in Temple Israel,
often introduce their
services by volunteering
to help plan community
activities, such as Send a
Kid to Tamarack Camps.
Putting their imagination to work is
central to each party they help supply
— and getting to know their customers
takes priority in whatever they do.
A kitchen shower had custom invita-
tions attached to pans mailed in boxes.
Spoons held coordinated place cards.
The centerpiece, a mixing bowl holding
cupcakes, had customized boxes deco-
rated to carry the party theme home
with the tasty treat.
For a dinner party celebration for
Trepeck's dad's 75th birthday, the two
chose black and gold as the color decor
for napkins, menu cards and table run-
ners, among other items.
"We thought the color scheme would
be masculine and elegant," Trepeck
says.
The two have one test for knowing
they've been successful.
"We want the people holding par-
ties to walk into the events feeling like
guests," Siegal says. "They all must be
able to fully enjoy the occasions they
have planned."
*
details
Find Valerie Harb Graphic
Design on Facebook
or call (248) 417-8138.
Find the Paper Press
on Facebook or call
(248) 568-1739.
Find Event Bliss on
Facebook or call
(248) 862-6741.
OTHER BUSES AVAILABLE
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