Fresh Joy, a blog

Like many small business owners, I've struggled over the last several weeks with the best ways to use my voice, platform and privilege to support anti-racism. I'm working behind the scenes to learn and unlearn, engage and support. I'm taking action with protests, donations and hard discussions. But I haven't shared very much publicly. That changes today. and the moon will rise has taken, and will be held accountable for, the Anti-Racist Small Business Pledge (a big thanks to Rachel Rodgers' Reimagining Small Business Town Hall). As part of that pledge, I am committed to: naming white supremacy and the impact of racism on both my personal and professional life;...

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary. It's also what would have been Breonna Taylor's 27th birthday. Breonna was an EMT who worked at two hospitals during the pandemic. On March 13th, she was fatally shot in her own home 8 times by police. Not only did they execute an unconstitutional "no-knock" search warrant, but they were at the wrong house, looking for a suspect who had been taken into custody earlier that day. Nobody has been arrested or charged in her murder. Just because there's no video of her death doesn't mean she deserves justice any less than George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and all the other black lives lost...

Even though quarantine restrictions are beginning to lift, it appears we still have a long way to go before we're able to socialize with our loved ones the way we're accustomed.That's one reason I'm SO excited to announce the launch of four new collections: Long Distance (shown), Quarantine Quips, Dear Mom Dear Dad, and Sweet & Sassy! All four are now available on our website.Sixteen new cards, printed on luxurious cotton paper, are perfect for the people you miss the most during this crazy time. Each card is available for purchase individually or as part of a set.For me, one of the silver linings of staying at home has been diving back into the creative...

Today is National Nurses Day. Given our current context, the day takes on extra meaning this year. While nurses are generally well-respected and appreciated, the global pandemic is reinforcing just how amazing and important nurses are.Nursing is an art and science. It requires strength and sacrifice, intelligence and intuition, compassion and composure, patience and purpose. In many ways, nurses are the heart of our healthcare system. Where would we be without them?"To do what nobody else will do, in a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through...this is what it is to be a nurse." -Rawsi WilliamsNational Nurses Day is...

April has certainly been a month for the record books. When this whole thing began nearly two months ago, most of us thought we'd be "back to normal" come May. At least here in Southern California, the month brings more of the same. It also brings the "May Gray" (followed by "June Gloom"); at least the gray skies will make it easier to stay home.But the new month also has some exciting changes in store for us. We'll be launching four new collections of art prints and greeting cards: Quarantine Comfort, Dear Mom Dear Dad, Sweet & Sassy and Long Distance. They're pretty dang cute and a...