Meet the member: Jana from The Completist
We speak to one half of the the premium printed paper goods brand from sunny South East London, Jana from The Completist about the birth of the brand and how taking risks has proven beneficial!
DESCRIBE YOUR BRAND IN 3 WORDS
Bold, print-tastic, stationery.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT WHILST RUNNING YOUR BRAND SO FAR?
Being stocked in Selfridges is right up there, as well as Good for the Study / McNally Jackson in New York - one of the best stationery stores in the world! It inspired me to start The Completist so it was a huge achievement to start working with them.
WHAT DOES THE NAME OF YOUR BRAND MEAN / STAND FOR?
The Completist started as a blog of all my fashion illustrations and design projects. A ‘completist’ is someone who obsessively collects objects to do with a particular genre, and I have always obsessively collected images (you should see my house full of magazine tears and my computer full of saved images!) so it came from that. It’s turned into something completely different now, but the name has stuck.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK FIVE YEARS AND TELL YOURSELF ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
You don’t always have to make the most sensible choice! I always tended to choose the most pragmatic path when it came to my career, but actually the most risky idea has really paid off and I’m much happier than I ever was doing the sensible thing.
FAVOURITE DOWN TIME ACTIVITY?
Reading! At the moment I’m reading a book about a serial killer, but I love to read about politics as well… basically being able to sit and read a magazine or a book is a luxury!
FAVOURITE WEEKEND ACTIVITY?
Honestly, working. I’m at that stage of my business where I don’t stop much at the moment. If I have a spare day, I always like to get out and catch up on all the exhibitions I’ve been meaning to see.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
About a year. The main plan is just to keep growing the business, really! Expand into more stationery products and work with more international stores.
ONE THING YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
COFFEE!!!
Contacts, community, advice & support. You can find out more about our memberships and join our members who are already pitching their products to press here.