New Black-Owned Greeting Card Company Plans to Fill Gap Within Saturated Industry
How many times have you been to a store thinking you would pick out a card, go to checkout, and be on your way? Americans purchase approximately 6.5 billion greeting cards annually, but most don’t represent women of color. In the U.S., there are nearly 22 million black women.
Shanley Simpson always loved giving and receiving greeting cards. Being a creative child, on most holidays, she made cards due to a lack of cards that didn’t say or look the way she preferred.
Entrepreneurship in the Family
Long before You Go Girl launched earlier this month, resources were already at her disposal. Her parents were business owners. She owned and operated a book publishing company for the last eight years. “Business ownership gives freedom. I’m a creative and liberal person, and entrepreneurship allows me to be that. I’ve worked corporate jobs, but there were limitations and restrictions.” Simpson expressed.
Filling The Gap
The greeting card industry is highly saturated. There are plenty of fun and beautiful cards, but most shoppers have to settle due to poor representation. You Go Girl cards are vibrant, energetic, and expressive regarding the words inside. Women of color have been underrepresented in the industry for too long – until now. Simpson’s card company serves black women and girls of color.
Simpson wanted a catchy name that is universally known. No matter where you’re from, or your background, you know that You Go Girl means congratulations. Plus, the cards praise and highlight women for doing and accomplishing things at an unbelievable rate. What better way to recognize them for doing so.
Simpson is aware of other black-owned card companies, but her competitors sell more stationery products. “Our company’s main focus is greeting cards. Down the line, we will offer other items, but there will be no confusion as to what we sell.” Simpson said.
Print and digital cards range from $2.99-$9.99 and are available on You Go Girl’s e-commerce website, www.shopyougogirl.com. Cards are also available on Etsy, Amazon, and select retail shops. Greeting card categories include birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, girls’ night out, and other special occasions.
Shanley Simpson was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and lives in Dallas, Texas. She sings and plays musical instruments. Enjoys cooking, hosting parties, interior decorating, and DIY projects. She and her husband recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary.
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