Janna as a bride. (August 2011)
People have always asked if my handwriting is a font. "No, it's just the way I write," I often reply.
To me, it's just the way I write, but to many friends and strangers "it's not normal."
Over the years many have called it "the janna font" and have suggested I consider addressing wedding envelopes and create a font a downloadable font.
The summer after high school graduation, I worked as as a billing assistant for an air conditioning company.
Just before I started, the billing coordinator lost three fingers in a boating accident. When she returned to work,
she used me as her right-hand (wo)man. I typed all day for her and did anything else she couldn't do with only one hand. I faxed invoices everywhere and my fax cover letters were always handwritten. One day I got a call from a vendor. "I just had to call and say that we love your handwriting. When your faxes come in, we all rush over to see your writing!" I was flattered, but more so surprised.
Years later, I attended a work training where I got nominated to write my group's ideas on poster paper.
Just as I stood to present, a woman from across the room yelled out, "Who wrote that? I want to talk to you after this!" I later learned the woman had 30 years of experience in owning a stationery store before changing career paths. She told me she had seen lots of different types of handwriting, but nothing as unique as mine.
She gave me leads, names of stores to contact and ideas on how to market myself. I was ready to start my business that day, but quickly lost sight once my full-time job got even busier.
Then, within the first few days of 2011, two strangers asked me (at the bank and mall after seeing my handwriting), "Have you ever considered addressing wedding envelopes?" That's when it hit me; "I've got to do this. My friends have been bugging me for the last 10 years to market my handwriting and strangers keep reinforcing it, so I just need to do it."
Thanks to Veronica, the Manager at Paper Source at South Coast Plaza. She was the second store I called after getting serious about the janna font. She was so encouraging about helping me get started and allowed me to drop off samples at her store. (That's how I landed that rock order -- see slide show and samples). Also, thanks to Nicole at the City of Brea for welcoming me as an exhibitor at my very first Bridal Show in January 2011. I had a blast!
Most importantly, thank you to all the brides and party planners who have hired me to be a part of their special events in 2011 and 2012.
Happy Event Planning!
The fontographer,
To me, it's just the way I write, but to many friends and strangers "it's not normal."
Over the years many have called it "the janna font" and have suggested I consider addressing wedding envelopes and create a font a downloadable font.
The summer after high school graduation, I worked as as a billing assistant for an air conditioning company.
Just before I started, the billing coordinator lost three fingers in a boating accident. When she returned to work,
she used me as her right-hand (wo)man. I typed all day for her and did anything else she couldn't do with only one hand. I faxed invoices everywhere and my fax cover letters were always handwritten. One day I got a call from a vendor. "I just had to call and say that we love your handwriting. When your faxes come in, we all rush over to see your writing!" I was flattered, but more so surprised.
Years later, I attended a work training where I got nominated to write my group's ideas on poster paper.
Just as I stood to present, a woman from across the room yelled out, "Who wrote that? I want to talk to you after this!" I later learned the woman had 30 years of experience in owning a stationery store before changing career paths. She told me she had seen lots of different types of handwriting, but nothing as unique as mine.
She gave me leads, names of stores to contact and ideas on how to market myself. I was ready to start my business that day, but quickly lost sight once my full-time job got even busier.
Then, within the first few days of 2011, two strangers asked me (at the bank and mall after seeing my handwriting), "Have you ever considered addressing wedding envelopes?" That's when it hit me; "I've got to do this. My friends have been bugging me for the last 10 years to market my handwriting and strangers keep reinforcing it, so I just need to do it."
Thanks to Veronica, the Manager at Paper Source at South Coast Plaza. She was the second store I called after getting serious about the janna font. She was so encouraging about helping me get started and allowed me to drop off samples at her store. (That's how I landed that rock order -- see slide show and samples). Also, thanks to Nicole at the City of Brea for welcoming me as an exhibitor at my very first Bridal Show in January 2011. I had a blast!
Most importantly, thank you to all the brides and party planners who have hired me to be a part of their special events in 2011 and 2012.
Happy Event Planning!
The fontographer,
