Navigating Motherhood and Entrepreneurship (During Covid) with Pei Sim of The Paper + Craft Pantry
Pei Sim is a creative, new mama, and owner of The Paper + Craft Pantry, a stationery shop in Austin, Texas. Join us for a conversation about navigating the early days of motherhood and entrepreneurship during Covid-19. Listen as Pei shares about her creative process and the value of shopping small, especially this year.
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Pei and I first connected through Instagram, like so many of the guests this season. I have a very clear memory of scrolling while I waited to board a plane and we were DMing about food while Pei waited in line at the post office. We’ve had many conversations about food over the years… it is definitely one of our shared passions!
I knew Pei back when she was just about to open her small business, which is now thriving, despite the challenges they’ve faced this year. I admire Pei’s determined spirit and gentle heart. Anyone who knows her understands that Pei can probably figure out anything… and she might also be the queen of coziness.
Pei’s goal for The Paper + Craft Pantry has always been simple: provide retail guests with the very best independently designed stationery and paper goods. And to host weekly creative workshops where their community can gather and learn from knowledgeable instructors. I taught a vision board workshop with Pei back in 2015 and I’ve taken countless workshops there since. And nowadays, I'm a huge fan of their limited-release workshop kits, which you can do from the comfort of your own home.
As an entrepreneur, Pei has had the opportunity to work alongside so many other amazing small businesses and companies. Due to Covid-19, The Paper + Craft Pantry closed their doors in March and have taken everything online. They have an amazing holiday shop, custom stationery (that I’ve been secretly coveting), and subscription boxes that are a paper + pen lover’s dream.
Follow her on Instagram: @thepapercraftpantry
Visit her website: thepapercraftpantry.com
Keep reading for all the details + links from my convo with Pei
Rituals and Routines
Pei shared her strategy of using an email autoresponder to protect her boundaries. She also talked about the importance of finding time to be creative during her baby’s first year of life. Her “plant life” is one of her most grounding hobbies.
Creative Process
I love how Pei utilized the challenges of running her business during Covid-19 as a springboard for expansion and connecting to a larger global community. Her stories about the creation of her subscription boxes, kits, and greeting card trading cards were all very inspiring.
Links Mentioned
The Commune Coworking Space in Austin
The Sill online plant shop (get $10 off your first order)
Credits
Theme song is Wildflowers by Gyom
Photography courtesy of Pei Sim
Disclosures
This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission. I promise to only recommend products and resources I personally love. Thanks for supporting me and my business!
