Life on the lake is beautiful. Most people probably think it is a quiet, destitute place in the winter. Not so. Frozen over and dusted with snow, the lake is still as busy as ever. Just look at all those ice houses and portables.

This is the view out the kitchen window. Definitely, I have more neighbors now then I did all summer! We even have the picture perfect man sitting on his pail trying to catch the big one.

Weather doesn't keep Minnesotans off the lakes. Not when it's 101F or -40F! Ice fishing is still relatively new to A. and I. A. loves to fish and can't wait to one day have his own ice house or portable. I may tag along with a book and a bottle of wine. Fishing honestly isn't my thing but I sure do love to people watch from the kitchen window.

What is your business?  When was it established? 

Ginger P Designs is a stationery business that specializes in custom wedding invitations, save the dates, programs, modern greeting cards and other custom paper goods. Established in 2010. 

Where are you based out of? 

Janesville, MN near Mankato MN 

Why are you in business? 

When we got married, my favorite part was designing our invitations and we got lots of positive feedback on them so that gave me the confidence to open my own etsy shop just for a fun side thing where I could earn some extra shopping money :)

What is your education? Prior Work Experience?  How did you get the skills necessary to run this type of business? 

I have a bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and I worked for a company in Mankato doing Marketing and graphic design where I worked full time before pursuing Ginger P full time in 2012! I am a self-taught graphic designer, but my marketing/business background definitely helped me in the promotion and accounting part of the business that I feel many who first start running a business on their own either don't enjoy, struggle with or have to hire someone for those duties. 

How did you get started in business? 

I opened an etsy shop online and grew my online business through that and also relied on being at "that age" where a lot of our friends were getting married which helped to spread the word locally for what I do.

Can you describe your customers? 

They are a lot like me :) I typically base new products or ideas on the notion of "would I like it?" "would I want that?" because my typical customer is a bride in her 20's who enjoys good design and personal touches. 

What is in the future for your business?

I hope to continue to do what I love everyday whether that is out of my home or a small studio somewhere, but no matter what I always hope to be in the stationery industry because it is my passion. 

Where do you locally advertise/market or sell your items in Minnesota? 

I have done several bridal shows in the Mankato area, along with recently reaching out to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and have had great success with those and enjoy the face to face time with brides-to-be. I have never done a craft market or etsy pop-up shop but I do think that would be fun to try someday.

A word from GingerPDesigns:
Get in on the latest and greatest from Ginger P Designs… GINGER MAIL! Ginger Mail is a service that delivers a variety of greeting cards, stationery items and other fun surprises to your mailbox every 6 weeks! Maybe you are too busy to go and get cards when you need them most, a procrastinator, or you just enjoy getting creative and fun pieces in the mail, who doesn’t right 

What do I get?

Every 6 weeks you will receive a package of greeting cards, stationery items and other fun surprises. Each time there will be a theme, so all of your items relate to one another, and the items will correlate with the upcoming season. An example for one package of Ginger Mail for April 15th would be: Mother’s Day greeting Card(s), mini spring pennant banner to hang in your home, a “congrats” greeting card to use for any May/June graduations, May calendar page, fun recipe card for the grilling season, Wedding wishes greeting card, gift tag for wrapping, and drink flags!

Picture of our “chalk” themed mailing

 Picture of the "fresh" themed mailing

How can I get signed up?

You can sign up at any time, and stop the service at any time. It is $15 every 6 weeks and you can fill out the form at the bottom of the page with your mailing address and credit card info. Your credit card will be charged the same day as the mailing day. A payment and shipping confirmation email will also be sent that day.

If you would like to purchase Ginger Mail in the increments of 1 mailing, 3 mailings, 5 mailings, or one year (8 mailings) as a gift or for yourself you can do that here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/166948974/ginger-mail-subscription-greeting-cards?ref=shop_home_active&nc=1     and the on-going subscription can be purchased here: http://justaddgingerp.com/ginger-mail/

The schedule of when Ginger Mail will be sent out is as follows:

January 15th

March 1st

April 15th

June 1st

July 15th

September 1st

October 15th

December 1st

…and it starts all over again!!

Gina Peterson

Ginger P Designs

www.gingerpdesigns.com

www.facebook.com/gingerpdesigns

www.twitter.com/gingerpdesigns

507-327-7422

Planning my wedding was not very stressful. I truly believe it wasn't hectic because I teamed with incredible local entrepreneurs who did an amazing job.

I could not be happier with the service and the products produced by local Minnesotan Gina the creator and owner of GingerPDesigns.

Just look at this adorable Thank You card I used to send to those who attended my bridal showers and even my vendors.

I was so happy with how those turned out. The paper quality she used was thick and firm. I knew I would have her do my wedding programs. Working with her was seamless. She was quick to respond to emails. The creating and editing stage produced a classic program that was finalized within days.

The above photograph was taken by AC Ellis Inc

Delivery, wholly Pete she is fast! I was shocked at how quick the turn around was but really I shouldn't have been considering who smoothly everything else went. I would highly recommend her services.

What local Minnesotan businesses have you teamed with?