Card buying and giving isn’t a task men excel at. Often times, men rush out at the last-minute to buy whatever type of greeting card they can find. Jeremy Buckley was one such man. But rather than see greeting cards as a terrible task, he decided to start a company to make it far more enjoyable to purchase and give greeting cards.
In 2018, Buckley started Indelible Cards. The company is simple, yet ingenious. Individuals can buy cards curated to their special occasion or the receiver’s interests rather than buy the mass-produced fare found in stores. Orders can be scheduled to arrive two weeks before the card giving occasion. This allows the buyer to put his — or her — own touch onto the card before giving it. With so many companies offering subscription services, Buckley has offered a product that disrupts the traditional billion-dollar a year greeting card industry.
Buckely recently sat down with Totalprestige Magazine to discuss Indelible Cards and to explain just how easy it makes giving sentimental cards to loved ones.
Jeremy, Indelible brings the human touch back to sending cards and communicating. Can you tell us about the company and how it got started?
At its core, Indelible Cards wants to help men become the gentlemen to which they aspire. We make the greeting card buying process simple by delivering cards directly to front doors, so they will never forget or be late for birthdays or anniversaries, but we also give tips and advice on what to write in the card. We believe the handwritten note is the most important part of the card experience, and encourage men to spend a few extra minutes putting into words their feelings towards the recipient. Which will lead to healthier and stronger relationships.
Can you explain how the Indelible service works?
Sure, the process is pretty simple, the customer just tells us the occasions and the dates they need cards, and we send the cards directly to their door about two weeks before the occasion. This gives them the time they need to write the note and hand deliver or place in the mail. If they need a stamp, we supply that at no extra cost and hopefully eliminate some last minute runs to the store to pick up a card.
How can sending a handwritten letter touch someone in ways social media cannot these days?
We all realize that a “Happy Birthday” message on social media happens primarily because that person received some sort of notification about the birthday. It takes a few seconds to send and means very little to the receiver. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a handwritten letter takes effort and thought. When that happens the receiver of the card understands the meaning of not only the written words, but the time put into making the card possible. Handwritten cards are valued possessions that people keep for years, while no one prints off their social media wall and keeps it in a box in their closet.
Jeremy, as things have changed with more people buying eBooks and using smartphones, is there still a market for traditional cards?
We believe there will always be a market for traditional cards. There has yet to be a type of technology that can replace the personal touch of putting pen to paper. Will you write a personal card to all of your social media “friends”? Probably not, but those closest to you deserve more than a text, and most people understand that.
What makes Indelible’s selection of cards worth ordering rather than going to the local card shop and buying one in person?
We like to say, “Tell them how you feel in your own words, not someone else’s”. Don’t sign your name to the bottom of a mass-produced card, make it personal, so our cards allow for that option. We also send the cards directly to your door, there should never be a missed occasion or a late arriving card for Mother’s Day. Finally, we only use the most talented artists and print the highest quality Letterpress cards. The user knows they will get a high-end product that will be appreciated by whoever receives the card.
Despite the rise of social media and ecards, the greeting card industry is still a billion-dollar industry. How do you see it evolving in the future?
We believe there will always be a place for greeting cards because there is that special connection between giver and receiver we have mentioned. We also realize the industry has experienced very little change in decades, so competition from new places is always a challenge. The industry is going to have to accept technology to continue competing against new forms of communication. We think Indelible Cards is a great step in that direction, as we embrace the online subscription model, but still, allow the personal touch of the handwritten letter.
Greeting cards can cost up to $10. How does Indelible stay competitive in a market to attract customers?
It is definitely a competitive industry, but one of the major advantages we have is that we send cards directly to front doors. This allows our customers to relax and not worry about forgetting their anniversary, sending a card late, or last-minute runs to the store. The convenience of Indelible allows us to compete with large players in our industry.
Jeremy, can you tell us about your career prior to launching Indelible in 2018?
I started my career in the SaaS world working specifically with school districts. I then moved into hard goods in the pet industry. As I look back, I am able to take what I learned about subscriptions and services, and what I learned about actual products in the pet industry, and combine that knowledge to form and operate Indelible Cards.
What was the main driver behind starting a greeting card company?
I honestly went searching for this solution in my own life, and couldn’t find a viable company to meet my need. I figured I wasn’t the only one that needed this service, and so Indelible Cards started.
Although the company is in its infancy, what are some of the plans Indelible has for the next year?
The next year is going to be exciting for Indelible Cards. We will continue to work hard to get our solution out to the masses, broaden our card offering, and expand the resources we provide our customers through blogs and suggestions to start the handwritten process.
Jeremy, what is a day in your life like?
Each day can be different at this stage of the company, but the unpredictability of my days is enjoyable right now. I spend time regularly overseeing the card designs, marketing and advertising, customer service, and the direction of the company. It keeps me pretty busy!
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I helped to start and oversee a nonprofit called 58ten. We work with some amazing people in Kenya.
Do you have any hobbies?
Soccer, I enjoy both watching and playing.
Which historical figure do you most admire?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he was a German pastor in World War II that helped plot to assassinate Hitler.
Can you share two of your favorite quotes with us?
“There is meaning in every journey that is unknown to the traveler.”- Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. – African Proverb.
For more information on Jeremy Buckley and Indelible Cards, please visit https://indeliblecards.com/
