Meet Aarica Smith | Founder & Creative Executive Officer, Infectious Design Co.

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

Hi Aarica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Infectious Design Co. initially started as Infectious Greetings, selling only greeting cards. The business idea of creating a greeting card company came from my experience with my grandmother and my mom. Growing up, they showed me the importance of “showing up” for others. That could be in the form of making a plate for someone who isn’t feeling well, calling someone who you haven’t seen in a while just to check-in, or simply sending them a card to let them know that you are thinking about them. My grandmother had a basket full of cards in her cupboard. Anytime she needed a birthday card, sympathy card, thinking of you card or baptism card, she didn’t have to make an excuse to run to the store. She always had a card to choose from in her cupboard.

My mother also loved African-American cards, art and stationery, especially the work Annie Lee. My mother and I had a few businesses together when I was young, and most of them involved me designing or painting things to sell at markets and vendor events. Not only did my mom showed me that creativity allows you to think out of the box, but she also showed me that my creativity can bring joy to others.

Over the years, while still climbing the corporate ladder in the IT consulting and Nonprofit sectors, I still managed to find joy in producing art. After years of creating canvas art, I wanted to find a way to put my art in the hands of more people, creating a moment of joy in their day. Remembering my experiences with my grandmother and my mom, I started Infectious Greetings to sell greeting cards with my art on it. About a year later, we expanded to greeting cards and gifts, rebranding to what is now Infectious Design Co., a design company that spreads love, light and joy through our art on greeting cards and gifts.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art has always focused on African-American women and our culture. Even when I was creating canvas art, my art characters did not have facial details. This was an intentional nod to honor the work of the late Annie Lee, who’s art work also did not include facial features on her characters. Without facial features, I feel that we are able to see ourselves more in the art. We are able to relate to them more because it could be us in that painting, or our sister, mother, auntie. It allows us to focus more on the story that the art piece is trying to convey to us. For example, one of the postcards that my mom sent to me in a college care package featured Annie Lee’s “Blue Monday” on the cover. This postcard is still on my desk, as both the art and the act of sending a kind note is the inspiration for Infectious Design Co. This postcard reminds me of why for the business. (And now that I am a mom of two young kids, I can better relate to the feeling that this art conveys!)

All of our greeting cards and gifts are my original designs, hand-crafted and packaged by us. Each card, mug, tumbler, journal and more are put together by hand in our studio. We also are able to create custom products for you and loved ones. Great for those girls trips, birthday and anniversary milestones and more.

While being creative is a true necessity for this business, another key component to be successful in this business is organization and process development. As our products are created when orders come in, it is important to have business processes in place. Documenting the process of creating the order, packaging the order and shipping will bring consistency to your business. This also makes the process repeatable, so as larger orders come in, we can still ensure on-time processing of the order.

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 love that Atlanta has a lot to do in the city, as well as around the city in the surrounding neighborhood areas. When my girlfriends come to Atlanta, we are looking for a good time that allows us to connect, laugh and love on each other, all while staying cute and comfortable, and back in bed by 11pm! (Yes, we are not 21 anymore and we are okay with that!)

Some things that would be on our agenda include:
– Grabbing lunch at Papi’s Cuban Grill
– Sitting on the green at Piedmont Park for the current festival (Ice Cream Festival, Dogwood Fest, etc.)
– Catching a musical concert at the intimate venue of City Winery, after hitting up some of the restaurants at Ponce City Market
– Spa day at The Wellness Spot
– Wine tasting excursion with Pop the Cork Wine Tours
– Enjoy karaoke, bowling, games and drinks/food at Punch Bowl Social
– Brunch at TOAST

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, all my gratitude, love and adoration goes to my maternal grandmother and mother. They are the inspiration for Infectious Design Co., emphasizing that life without being a positive influence or service to others is meaningless. Growing a business takes a lot of work, drive and consistency. Success does not come over night. But the real question is, how is your business going to impact others in a positive way?

I also would like to give gratitude to my alma mater, Spelman College and my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. Being privileged to be a member of these Sisterhoods of women who serve continues to drive my passion to make others smile through my art and in my impact in my community.

And of course, thank you to my loving business partner and husband – as he continues to support my dreams and insert himself in the business areas that he thrives in, allowing me to focus on the creative business areas that give me joy. Thank you.

Website: https://www.infectiousdesignco.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfectiousDesignCo