Extremely kind, super driven and uber talented are a few of the words that come to mind when we think of Gray Cloud Print’s Anna Clem. Anna is able to balance a stationery business and being a devoted mom just beautifully. It’s vendors like this that inspire us. We were honored to have Gray Cloud Print as our stationery designer for the 1st Birmingham NotWedding.
“Anna is a rockstar. She was so sweet, prompt, takes amazing initiative in making the inspiration board come to life, as well as working with whatever obstacles come her way. She had her young son break his leg days before The NotWedding and still killed it!”
Samantha Cole, Birmingham Production Manager
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In your own words, describe your business style for us.
I’ve always had the longing to “create” and to support myself while doing something that I love. I will dive into a project head first and not stop until it’s completed; tweaking and perfecting until the end product is exactly as I’d envisioned. I live for the end product. I love all the creative aspects of my job: designing, marketing, photographing, packaging, and blogging. The other tasks that come along with running your own business I’d rather pawn off on my “type A” husband. God knew I needed someone to balance me out.
What is the best part of owning your own business? Worst part?
Having my own business has allowed me to work from home and spend more time with my two-year-old little man. Sometimes my office is the play room as he puts on a full concert for me. Other times it’s on a swing in the backyard while he is building castles in the sand box. The flexibility is perfect, allowing me to be right beside him in his adventures. The downfall of running my own business is that I do not have set work hours. Sometimes I have to tell myself to put the computer away, stop answering emails and be in the moment. One of my professional goals this year is to schedule office hours for myself so I can make sure to spend time unplugged.
What/who inspires you?
My inspiration to really jump in and open up my own business was my family. My parents always taught us that it is more important to pursue a career doing something that you love, than being miserable making lots of money. My oldest brother is a booking agent for country music artists in Nashville, Tennessee and the other is a golf course superintendent in Japan. They never once looked back when they realized their dream and I recently decided that I should do the same. My daily inspirations are my clients. They dream up the most beautiful events and weddings and I get to create the invitation and paper goods to complement them.
What has been your favorite part of The NotWedding experience?
My favorite part of the NotWedding was not what I expected it to be. I suspected I’d meet talented vendors from whom I’d learn so much (which I did) and that I’d meet beautiful brides and get to hear all about their gorgeous plans (which also happened). What I didn’t realize was that I would be so touched and inspired by the staff of the NotWedding and their mission to promote not only healthy marriages but also lasting friendships. The values of the NotWedding are above and beyond what I’d imagined and it’s a spiritual and emotional experience as well as social and professional.
Photo Credits:
JL Photographers | Taylor Haynie Photography | Vicki + Erik Photographers | Carla Lawrence Photography | Koli Nichols Photography
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