GCA podcasts – capturing greeting card history to inspire the industry of the future
Talking Cards with Industry Leaders, the Greeting Card Association’s podcast series, is a look at key greeting card designers, publishers and individuals whose passion, drive and talent has influenced and shaped the history of our industry.
It is hoped that listening to those who have made a major contribution to our industry talk about their journey, and advice they’d give their younger self, will help and inspire the next generation of our wonderful industry.
GCA Meets – Alan and Vanessa Harnik of Notes & Queries
Alan Harnik started his career in his basement and selling on a hand-cart at a New York market, fast forward 43 years and Notes & Queries is a well established, leading US distributor of UK greeting card publishers.
In December 2023 Alan and Vanessa shared their journey and insight into their business and the US greeting card market with GCA’s CEO Amanda Fergusson, and GCA Council Member and MD of Ohh Deer Mark Callaby who recently joined Vanessa on a US card industry panel.
Alan speaks about the importance of tradeshows, relationships and always meeting his suppliers face to face. Sharing what he did when he received his first large order, and the impact his decision had on the business.
Alan and Vanessa both speak eloquently about the US greeting card market, sharing their top tips for being successful in the US market and highlighting key differences between the UK market and consumers.
Both also speak about challenging times the business faced, sharing their advice for keeping customers onside and achieving business growth. They also share how Notes & Queries navigated the world-wide COVID19 pandemic, and reflect on changes in the card market post-Covid19.
Timeline
Notes & Queries, now in their 44th year in business, is a leading importer of design oriented paper product primarily from the UK. Relationships are key to the success of their business – with 35% of their account base having been with N&Q for over 20 years, and the average N&Q employee tenure 17 years.
Vanessa has recently taken over the running of the business from Dad Alan.
Alan’s Lessons from the world-wide Pandemic:
- Act quickly and decisively. Difficult decisions are not made easier by waiting
- Plan for the future, live in the present. From the day we were forced to close our doors we started planning for the next day when doors would open again and what our company would look like.
- This may seem contradictory: Watch your pennies, but at the same time make investments. It’s often hard when confronted with cash flow issues to look at making investments, but sometimes it’s essential to do so.
- Develop Plan B. If X doesn’t happen figure out what you’ll do and be prepared to do it
- Trust your instinct and business knowledge to assist you through challenging times
Listen to the Podcast
Links
The GCA Talking Cards podcast is also other platforms. Just search for “Talking Cards with Industry Leaders“.