Good morning SCT friends! If you have an extra few minutes spend it with me as it’s your very happy Publisher here today. Why so happy you ask? Well as I write this I am on a plane to Utah to kick off a very special week. On October 28th SCT will mark its official 10th birthday. TEN YEARS! Take a walk back in time with me.
October 28, 2005 started as a regular day of getting kids off to school, our daughter was in grade 3 and our son had just started grade 1 (and man was I missing him!) I volunteered weekly, I had a small business and usually contemplated what would be on the dinner table that evening. October 28, 2005 was just a regular day in the Tachdjian house. However, 12 hours later that would change. After putting the kids to bed my husband and I shared a late dinner. I was excitedly telling him about a card class I wanted to take at my local scrapbook store, Cherished Scrapbook that weekend. My husband asked a few questions about the printed piece the store information was printed on (he is in the print industry and notices everything!) and suggested ways the piece could be improved. We talked back and forth about the challenges of the local scrapbook store to carry on the day-to-day business in a retail setting, educate the customer and stay on top of industry trends. What I didn’t know was that it was a conversation that would change many things. What started out with him suggesting that evening that I consider designing a “newsletter template” to help retailers deliver their store/class/product information with their customers resulted in the launch of the first issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today five months later. It was 64 pages. Four days after that dinner conversation a business plan was prepared, the SCT website was up and nine days after that an incorporated company was founded. Were there challenges, uphill climbs, fear, lost sleep and tears? Oh yes there were yet every time I turned a corner and the fear crept in there was a helping hand. And my business mentor’s words “be guided by your own internal measures” rang in my ears. With the help of so many we released the first issue to a regional audience in Ontario, Canada in March, 2006. What we did not expect was to be internationally read two days later. The power of the web and the connectivity it provides still astounds me.
Many have asked how SCT came to be. Did we expect 10 years later to be thriving in a publishing world that is diverse, challenging and full of changes? Did we know 10 years later we would be read in over 120 countries? No, we didn’t know to set goals that high. What a wonderful time it’s been discovering how high we can reach. Through the kindness of many, including all of YOU, our industry partners and the amazingly talented designers in this industry we are blessed to work with, SCT has become a favourite to many and to that we say the best is yet to come. We also say thank you with a very grateful heart.
I have contemplated for some time on how to celebrate this milestone and I knew in my heart I wanted to head to Utah to visit with several of our wonderful industry partners that believed in the vision we had for SCT so many years ago. These companies invested in us when they had so many other choices and I am very grateful to them and for them This next week I will visit with American Crafts, Pink Paislee, WeR Memory Keepers, Doodlebug Design, Simple Stories, BoBunny, Echo Park, My Mind’s Eye, Fancy Pants, Stampin’ Up!, and Close to My Heart. I will visit with our Editor-in-Chief Megan Hoeppener and meet many friends I’ve made through these years. What else will I do? Well, what all memory keepers do…take pictures! I want to take you on a behind the scenes tour and share with you the great people behind these companies, share some photos of what their day-to-day looks like and share some of the stories from the week. Is there something specific you might like to know? Leave it in the comments below and I’ll try to find out! Of course, I’m also going to pack a few things in my suitcase to bring back for you so if you would like the opportunity to have a little happy mail, leave a comment below too!
Our role as media in the papercrafting industry is to deliver quality content at the right time on multiple platforms. Through print, digital and social media we strive to provide that for you and always hope we hit the mark. Over this next year we are going to celebrate all that is great in our industry – our designers, our advertising partners, the stores that carry our magazine, our event attendees and YOU, our reader. We have many things up our sleeve to do just that so be sure to watch over the next year as we sprinkle the year with a whole lot of fun here on the blog, in the magazine, on Facebook, on Instagram, on Pinterest and on YouTube.
Thanks for reading today. Thanks for your continued support for all that we do. The blog is always a place I get to connect with you in a special way. And I love that. Have a wonderful weekend!
~ Catherine Tachdjian, Publisher, Scrapbook & Cards Today Inc.
Congrats on 10 years!
Do so enjoy your blog.
You’ll have a fun time
here in Utah. Love that
so many of the companies
are located in Utah.
Carla from Utah
Happy 10 years!
Congrats on 10 years – I am so glad I found this magazine and your company. Enjoy the States and safe travels. Thank you for all you do to keep this wonderful hobby alive. You and your team are amazing. Again I had a wonderful time at Crop and Create in Thunder Bay – Can hardly wait for next year. Until then – Have Fun ~Ann
Congrats, what a wonderful milestone!
Happy 10th anniversary – we need to make you some cards! Thanks for keeping us on top of the industry trends over the past decade and the wonderful blog and retreats and everything else that you bring to us. Even though my favourite LSS has closed down, i can still find out the latest and greatest through your magazine!
Happy 10th Anniversary and I’m happy to say I have been a fan for 10 years too! Your trip to Utah sounds wonderful. Have Fun and post lots of Photos.
Congrats and Happy 10th!
Happy, happy 10th!! I live in Utah and would like to welcome you. I didn’t realize until a couple of years ago that all those wonderful companies are based in my back yard. I always go to their warehouse sales but purchase these brands every time something new comes out! I love SCT and follow closely. Looking forward to the next 10…please keep up the good work!
Congratulations on 10 years! Have a great trip. Maybe you can bring back some sneak peaks of their new products!
Happy 10th birthdayversary! I’m so glad you are here and I love every.single.issue. At a time when others have closed down – you are flourishing. That is testiment to your knowing the industry and being open to the needs and wants of scrappers, card makers and other crafters. I hope the next decade is as wonderful (or more!). Enjoy your trip and thank you for sharing it with us.
Congratulations 10 years!!!!! Have a fun trip and bring back lots of goodies!! :)
A great 10 years and best wishes for another 10, and another 10…..
thanks for sharing your life.
Congratulations! So glad you do what you do!
Wow!! 10 years!! thats a big milestone!! Congratulations… At a time when many other craft magazines are closing, you are thriving. That is because of your hard work and dedication!! Thank you for doing this!!
-Berina
Moxie Craftie
Congratulations! I remember (and still have ) your first issue. I often look through my copies for inspiration. I love that it is a quality magazine (printed on quality paper) with fabulous ideas for the beginner up to expert crafter.
Looking forward to another 10 years of SCT!
Congrats on 10 years! ;-)
Congrats, Catherine and SCT on ten years WELL DONE!
You asked….I would like to see/hear/read more about the people history of SCT, a life history of the movers and shakers that helped you become who you are now, specifically the people (and their company if they have one) – WHO came, left their mark (whether advice, design, teaching, sales, support, whatever)and left, who came in next, etc. I’ve always loved biographies! What were the people milestones in your SCT 10 year history?
From your partnering companies, I’d like to know almost the same thing, but about their business history…when did they get started, what were their values and goals when they started, how did they accommodate the bumps in the industry, what have they had to change with a changing market, what lessons have they learned about this business, and finally what do they see in the not so distant future for scrapbooking?
Okay, so I have asked enough to write multiple dissertations!!? Just share anything more and I’ll love it! And have a fabulous time in Utah!
SO very excited for you and S&CT!! WOO!HOO! One million congrats to you. Let’s not forget that S&CT is also what it is because of you and your family – immediate and/or otherwise. Thank you for all you have done for scrapbookers worldwide. You are truly an inspiration for us all.
Congratulations on your 10th anniversary .. you deserve all the success you receive.. Your magazine is so well designed with wonderful articles brimming with inspiration. Crop and Create events are the best — so well organized with the best teachers in the industry. Here’s to 10 more years of success.
I would love to hear what each of these companies do behind the scenes to make their employees feel special. As an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I’ll be particularly anxious to see the photos from our prized head office.
Congratulations on this amazing milestone and I wish you many more creative years!
P.S. I would love to receive some happy mail!
Happy 10th, SCT!
Congrats on such an awesome milestone!! Here’s to 100 more!!
Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary!!! What a momentous milestone! It sounds like you have an amazing trip lined up! How exciting to visit with all those outstanding companies! I can’t wait to see all the pictures you take and to read the stories of your trip! Thank you for sharing how SCT got its start. It’s incredible that one conversation led to the fantastic magazine, website and blog that we know today! You must be so proud of all that you and your team have accomplished these past 10 years and be looking forward to what the next 10 will bring. I will be eagerly anticipating what I know will be fun and fabulous opportunities to celebrate your special anniversary over the coming year! Have a safe trip and enjoy yourself!
Congratulations on 10 years! I really enjoy your magazine. Each time I get my copy, I sit down and read it cover to cover and then use it for reference! Thank you all for all of your hard work in providing this awesome magazine. It is very much appreciated!
Congratulations on reaching your 10 year milestone. I have been a fan from the start. I log in to your blog each and every day to see what’s new and look forward to your magazine each quarter. Can’t wait to see what you do in the next 10 years!!
Congrats on 10 years! Wow what a milestone :)
Congratulations and thank you for going on the journey!
Congrads! Happy 10th Anniversary!
Wow! Loved reading this! I think we have your hubby to thank for your beautiful thick pages which I LOVE! Happy Anniversary! You can’t begin to know how much it means to me that you guys continue to publish a hard copy in this day in age and an inspiring, beautiful magazine to boot! :)
Give Shelly at Pebbles/American Crafts and Cynthea & Tonya at Doodlebug a big hug from Mendi! :)
What an amazing story! I admire what you’ve done & that you’re still going strong! Big congrats on the first 10 yrs & here’s to many more! My goal is to become one of your designers. Have a great trip!
My Husband and I started our own business 18 years ago in the travel industry so I can certainly relate to all you have been through – and moving from Africa to Canada 8 years ago and restarting all again it certainly has been challenging, but we are still here. Congratulations on achieving this milestone. Your magazine is very inspirational.. This week has been a very emotional week for me to say the least so I could really do with some happy mail right now. Enjoy your trip to Utah look forward to seeing the pictures soon.
What a wonderful story. Enjoy your time in Utah!
WOW!!! 10 years, I can’t believe that SCT is 10. I love the magazine and all the info, new techniques, products etc. Great job, keep up the good work and all the best for the next 10 years. I check your blog each day to see what news you have for us. Congratulations!!
Congratulations Catherine! Ten years is quite a milestone to reach. Thank you for all that you do for this industry, I love your magazine and I hope you have continued success. Cheers to 10 years and 100 more! Celebrate in style!
Congratulations on 10 years! I love your magazine. Have a wonderful trip.
Congratulations Catherine and everyone at SCT for ten great years! Thanks for taking the risk to start this business venture. I’ve been a reader and big fan of SCT since day one and I can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring.
Have a great time in Utah.
Thank You Catherine and team for all you have contributed to our community. Xxxxoooo from your devoted reader and friend, Bertha
I didn’t realize so many companies are in Utah. I may have to go there some day!
Happy 10th Anniversary. Catherine, I really appreciate all of the work that you and the wonderful team at SCT do to bring us the latest industry news. Sharing all of the amazing new products that you have searched out. Best wishes for continued success and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in the future.
Congratulations on your 10 years. Love your magazine, hope you have many more years.
It’s so nice to see all the great comments! You definitely deserve all the congratulations and praise! I thought of a question for some of the companies if you get a chance. What is their favorite product and/or of which product are they the most proud? Thanks also for thinking of us while you’re away and for the chance to win some happy mail. It’s always so wonderful to get a special surprise in the mail!
Catherine, you and your team, including your family, have accomplished something amazing! Congratulations, it is truly remarkeable. As far as what to feature on your blog, I’m always interested in how companies figure out what will be a trend. I don’t know if this is possible for people to identify – maybe they jusst “know” and I don’t. Just a thought! Enjoy your trip. Jeannine H.
Happy 10th and may you have many more great ideas & inspiration to come! Here’s hoping to find “happy mail” in my brand new mailbox!
Thank you for being so brave 10 years ago! I really enjoy having access to SCT all the way from Australia!
A decade in the making! Congratulations on such an inspirational story. I enjoy reading your magazine, learning new techniques,reading about new trends and following great designers from across Canada. I also LOVE your Crop & Create events. Though I have only been to Moncton, that one annual event has provided me with so much inspiration! Thank you for all you do, Catherine. You are much appreciated! Can’t wait to see you at Crop & Create Moncton 2016!
Congratulations and happy anniversary! Enjoy your week of visits!!
Happy 10 years. Thank you for delivering a paper magazine for all us paper lovers.
Happy 10th Anniversary SCT. I can hardly wait to see all the pictures you bring back. Have an amazing time while you are there and say hi to all your wonderful partners in Utah from us your SCT fans. I think everyone loves “happy mail” :)
Congratulaions!
Happy 10 years!
Congratulations on 10 years!! Looking forward to being part of the next 10!! Thank you for all you do. You’re amazing! Love your staff, family and all the events!