Bob’s Annual Blog - Now Celebrating 10 Years!

I can remember starting an apprenticeship and saying to the instructor “I would like to have tens years’ experience”. He replied, “Would you like to be ten years older?” I made that statement when I was in my late twenties, now I am in my late fifties. If I am to have ten more years of doing anything, I would like to take those ten years one day at a time.      

Ten years ago, when Bob had just come onboard as full time production manager and CFO-photo by Geneve Hoffman

I am reflecting on those statements because this month, April in the year 2025, marks my ten-year anniversary at El’s Cards. I have been doing this work for longer than any other previous job. I must admit and appreciate that all the other work has contributed to the work that I am now able to perform. It goes with an expression of “nothing is wasted”, every situation good and bad has helped. I don’t want to get lost in philosophical thoughts; I would rather just talk about how much I really enjoy my work life today.

To go back to my first year at El’s Cards, the decision to leave a full-time desk job, management, good pay and benefits, to take a chance to help my wife Ellen to expand her business, with the hope that it would support the two of us, was like taking a leap off a cliff. Or some might suggest a leap of faith. I had no doubt that Ellen’s talent for watercolor painting and her passion for the products she was creating would be enough. We had a plan, and we worked very hard to expand and promote the business. I would like to also interject a thought, the minute I left my job, Ellen referred to El’s Cards as our business, although she had created and run the business by herself for 15 years prior to my arrival.

Bob hamming it up at our new website photoshoot with photographer Melissa Mullen in May 2024

Although this is a big year for me, let’s reflect a minute on last year. Last April we contracted with a company to help design and create the next edition of El’s Cards website. We were also celebrating the 25th anniversary of El’s Cards creation. I will say we worked double time to keep up with all the promotional activities and we were tasked with lots to do for the new website. We launched the new site in October and have had a wonderful response. It was worth all the hard work and long hours. This year we are seeing a dramatic increase in sales through the website, along with more customers finding us for the first time.

At the beginning of my story, I mentioned the good and bad. I know now, that the bad experiences were just as important as the good. When our business was affected by the pandemic, which was very bad for everyone, we had to keep an open mind, create new products, and try new ideas. Many of the products created have stayed with us into the years afterward, and have proved to be customer favorites.

Bob's workshop area-a few projects in the works-photo by Jenn Bakos 

So, the way I approach my work today. Every day when I walk into my workshop I have a deep sense of gratitude. I know that I have created and paid for everything in this space, and I still feel as if it is a gift. When the orders come into the website, email, or an old-fashioned phone call, I have a feeling of humility. Of all the places people could choose to spend their time or money, they choose to come to our place. So, I feel a commitment to the customers, to the work, and to Ellen. For she invited me to help and included me in her dream.

El, Bob, and Marty in Bob's lap-photo by Melissa Mullen...

.....and Sunny because he needs to be included too as part of the team!-photo by Jenn Bakos

I would like to acknowledge all the people who have helped. If I were to write down all the names it would be a ridiculous amount- like at the academy awards, just turn up the music and get him off stage. Well, that is ten years, and here’s to another ten and maybe ten more after that. But let’s just take it one day at a time. I know I don’t want to miss any of it.

As an anniversary gift for you, we are offering a BOGO all this weekend on our 11" x 14" maps. It's our most popular size of one of my favorite products.  You can see some of my favorite maps on the new "Bob's Favorite Things" page.

Thanks again to all the people who have helped.
Sincerely,
Bob

A few 11" x 14" maps-photo by Jenn Bakos

Photo credits-Melissa Mullen, Jenn Bakos, Geneve Hoffman