Meet Amanda Loerke | Owner/Designer of Lulu Papers

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

Hi AMANDA, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Louisville, KY. I have three brothers and very creative parents. We were raised modestly by 2 hardworking parents. My mother sewed for people as a side job (which was more like full-time) doing alterations, dress making, and home decor. Along with my mother’s sewing talents, she can also knit, and paints with oil. My dad started his own business and had since passed it down to two of my brothers who run it today. My dad can fix and build anything. As he entered into retirement, he began making furniture. So, I definitely get my creativity honestly!

My brothers and I were raised knowing that a handmade gift is priceless. Whether it was a food item, a scarf, a homemade card or flowers picked from the garden, it was appreciated. We were also taught that showing appreciation was in the form of a thank you note. I have passed along these lessons to my own children, and to this day, the BEST gifts I have received from them have all been handmade.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At the time when I started my business, I was a stay-at-home mom with 3 children. I was quickly loosing my identity. I needed an outlet to be creative and earn a little extra money for myself. I began Paper Doll Stationery and handmade each card and invitation. It was a long process and looking back, I was probably making about $3/hour. I participated in craft fairs to sell my cards and built a website that was not so impressive. It was a hobby born small business. I continued doing this gig under Paper Doll Stationery for 15 years. It was a ton of work, and it was beginning to become more stressful than fun. So, I let the business ride and didn’t put much effort into it.

I ended up going through a traumatic divorce after 17 years of marriage. I had lost myself and my identity. I was still a mom, I was still creative, but mostly I was determined and wanted to succeed. I had to find myself again and, in the process, changes needed to be made within myself and my business. That’s when I rebranded and changed direction.

I set a budget and stuck to it. I hired a husband-and-wife team, R & R Creative to come up with a new brand design and launch a new website powered by Shopify. Mark and Carla were absolutely incredible to work with! They showed me step-by-step how to navigate this new website and how to make it work for my business. That alone gave me the confidence I needed to make this business work. I still reach out to them when I need help!

Lulu Papers is in its 4th year of business and growing! I have spent hours researching different types of paper finishes, outsourcing printers, packaging, and so on to find what works for me and my business. There were so many trial and error moments, costly mistakes were made, and a few times the frustration would get me to the point of wanting to quit. Those were the moments when I reached out to a friend for a pep talk!

I created a mission statement and a niche to stay true to myself and my brand. Lulu Papers mission is to spread joy by bringing back the art of a handwritten note, one card at a time. There’s nothing like getting an envelope in your mailbox that’s handwritten- like a treasure in a sea of junk!

I’m an old soul and my hope is that people will remember the simpler times before instant gratification and cell phones. A thank you note shouldn’t be texted and an invitation shouldn’t be emailed. If you’re thinking of someone, write them a note so they can cherish it and reread it. If you’re having a party, send a paper invitation! If you’re grateful of someone’s time or a gift they gave you, write a thank you note!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Goshen, KY, about 20 minutes from Louisville. Half a mile down the road is Hermitage Farm. Hermitage Farm is a working thoroughbred horse farm, garden, farm to table restaurant (Barn 8), art walk and farmer’s market. That would definitely be a first stop!

A beautiful day calls for a walk across the Waterfront Walking Bridge across the Ohio River to Jeffersonville, IN to eat pizza at Parlour.

An afternoon at Churchill Downs for some horse racing or to walk around the KY Derby Museum is a must see!

Summertime is beautiful at YewDell Botanical Gardens and right next door would be the perfect stop for lunch and craft beer at Third Turn Brewery & Gardens.

My favorite bourbon and tour would be at Old Forester on bourbon row in downtown Louisville.
The Rabbit Hole speakeasy is one of my favorites!

A little shopping at the Crestwood Mercantile where you could find over 60 vendors with unique items!

Hiking at Bernheim National Forest is a treat in the autumn months!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I like to surround myself with like-minded creatives that push me to learn and try new things. Friend and mentor, Maizie Clarke Kincheloe of Maizie Clarke has really helped me grow and organize my business. She has a non-stop brilliant mind! We try to get together every other month and bounce ideas off of each other.

My husband, Tim is my biggest cheerleader. He has been supportive of my business from day one. When I fall, he picks me up and proceeds with a pep talk. When I succeed, he’s opening the champagne celebrating with me!

I don’t take for granted the blessings I have been given. I’m so lucky to live in a place where creative women in business want to share ideas and celebrate each other’s wins. To name a few:

Lindsay Stivers & Karen Delaney, Owners of The Crestwood Mercantile
These two gals are go-getters on a mission!

Nicola Foreman & Katherine Foreman, Owners of KY Alchemy Candles
Sisters with a side gig making candles with an unbelievable scent, clean burn and in gorgeous minimalist vessels.

Amanda J. Designs, Photographer
Amanda did my business photos, and she was incredible to work with! She made me comfortable in front of a camera and also shared tips on taking my own product photos!

Website: https://www.LuluPapers.com

Instagram: @LuluPapers

Facebook: @lulupaperspapergoodies

Image Credits
Amanda J. Designs {Photography}