Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Woollen.
Hi Audrey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a love for stationery and design. At a young age, there was always huge excitement during ‘back to school’ time of year when shopping for supplies. I loved spending my allowance on cards to send out to friends and family. And all of the little desk accessories from Sanrio. Growing up, I began to develop a love for fashion. After graduating college, I ended up in the clothing industry in NYC and worked the trade shows. I loved the fast pace of ever-changing style and design and eventually moved to LA and continued to work in the fashion industry here. As a side hobby, I began designing stationery as a creative extension of my own personal style and started selling my line around LA at Farmers Markets and different venues and in a few shops. I realized I had a market for my own designs and curation of other collections and in 2006 took the leap and opened Urbanic on Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
People have responded well to Urbanic as the niche boutique that it is, and thanks to the help of social media, it has attracted a solid reputation internationally and become a destination boutique in LA.
Like every business, there are loads of trials and errors to undergo but also unexpected twists and turns along the way. As far as some of those struggles, we’ve had a couple of break-ins, a randomized IRS audit, made it through a recession, got hit internally by a criminal ring, and of course the global pandemic!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Urbanic is a brand and niche retail boutique specializing in well-curated design. Our store has a reputation for its select greeting cards, premium letterpress goods, stylish wrapping papers, small gifts, office accessories, and our latest release of a gift box program. We also offer a creative gift wrap service that is well-loved by our neighborhood! At Urbanic, we are purveyors of thoughtfulness and beautiful things that can be given or sent to make someone’s day. That business for us is has become meaningful and dimensional primarily because of the relationships we’ve built along the way with our customers near and far. The environment we’ve created is meant to be a warm, happy, and an inspired place that celebrates all of the best parts of life. Urbanic is not just a boutique. To many people, it’ an experience that brings joy and creativity. This for us has become our foundation of who we are and who we continually want to strive to be. Our flagship is located in Venice and we have just opened our second location at the FreeMarket in PlayaVista.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As for networking, I have found that bonding with and supporting other designers and small business owners in the LA neighborhood has enabled us a community of like-minded talent, friendships, partnerships and collaborations. Also a place for support and resources. Social media of course helps with all of this, but engaging with people at events and social gatherings is where relationships are built.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.urbanicpaper.com
- Instagram: @urbanic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanicPaper/
- Twitter: @urbanic
