Meet Madison Steinau | Greeting Card Designer, Owner of Shop Cardiology, & College Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Madison Steinau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madison, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As a kid, I reveled in the joy of dashing to the mailbox and ripping into an envelope sent from my grandparents far away in the Caribbean and Europe. Now, as a college student, I write letters less frequently, but I delight in giving thoughtful greeting cards to friends and family. Continuously resorting to creating my own cards at home, my ever-supportive mom and dad encouraged me to harness my love of artful communication and create a business.

That’s how Shop Cardiology was born in 2021!

The values of Shop Cardiology stem from the fact that there is power in empathetic human connections and extravagant love. Shop Cardiology provides a means to strengthen those connections in the form of greeting cards so that everyone can experience the child-like joy of handwritten notes well into adulthood.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Absolutely! I started Shop Cardiology with the idea that cards should get to the heart of things on a very personal level – think unconventional cards celebrating moving into a new home, getting a dog, or just to say hello, etc. Not only do I love highlighting these specific moments in life, but I also provide customization services to personalize the cards even more.

Imagine a library-themed happy birthday card with your favorite book lover’s name lettered on it. A name makes cards more intentional and thoughtful, and the challenge that comes with that is finding the best means of producing quality customization. Hours of research, trial runs, and brainstorming are dedicated to not just the design process, but the very printing press, packaging methods, and ink I choose to produce each card in an eco-friendly way. I relish each moment I learn something new and continue to have faith in the creative process as I determine the best ways to serve my community.

All in all, I want the world to believe in the simple idea that slowing down and writing on paper has a great perpetual impact on the lives of others without hurting the earth we live on.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s no fun trip without good food, so we’d have to start with one of my favorite places — Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill. It’s a Nepali and Indian Cuisine restaurant; every dish bursts with colorful flavor. We would also visit the Dekalb Farmer’s market and peruse the aisles for fresh international produce and other goodies for a picnic later at Centennial Park. I also would love to take my friend for a stroll along the Atlanta Beltline and explore the diversity of people, thought-provoking street art, and endless cafes. Atlanta’s filled with hidden gems I’ve yet to discover, so I’d be a little spontaneous and see where the city takes us!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Again, I most definitely have to recognize my parents! I’ve long doubted my ability to start a business because I am so young, but they have never dismissed my ideas nor discredited my youth. I also would have to mention my godmother as well as the ACE Women’s Business center for sharing business knowledge and wisdom ever so patiently. Without their help, I wouldn’t have had the confidence or eagerness to learn about the business world and take the first steps to start my own small business. My family and close friends have always listened, given their feedback, and supported this dream; I strive to return that in any way I can.

Website: www.shopcardiology.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopcardiology/

Other: Tiktok: @shopcardiology