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Exploring the visionary worlds of Good Juju Ink and Be Rooted

(Sponsored) As Atlanta Market approaches, anticipation mounts for a vibrant showcase of creativity and innovation within the stationery industry. Among the exhibitors, the spotlight shines brightly on women-owned businesses, each a testament to the vision and tenacity of female entrepreneurs. In a realm where artistry meets utility, these women are not just crafting paper goods — they’re shaping narratives, fostering connections and redefining the boundaries of stationery design.

Juliana Kissick, co-founder, creative director and CEO of Good Juju Ink in Oakland, California, wanted to feel confident in her career while making others feel good and ultimately found her roots in the world of fine art. Earning the nickname ‘Juju’ early in life, Kissick wanted to spread ‘good juju’ to others and the world — through stationery, gift products, games and more.

“I had been taking fine art (classes) since I was seven years old. I felt very confident and empowered that I could teach myself illustration design, graphic design and more,” Kissick said. “A lot of people come into this industry maybe not having a background in letterpress, calligraphy or even art. But we all have such a desire to make people feel good, bring joy and offer a unique storytelling angle. (Stationery) was always my destiny.”

Good Juju Ink refers to its brand aesthetic as “elevated storybook.” Wanting consumers to experience child-like wonder with its products, Good Juju Ink puts thought, detail and more into its offerings, with the feeling of “living in your own fairytale,” according to Kissick.

“We want you to feel the enchantment you feel as a kid when you find something that truly speaks to you. We combine that with beautifully made and crafted products with tremendous detail,” Kissick said.

Good Juju Ink offers a multitude of products, including planners, puzzles, stationery sets, greeting cards and more. In a recent collaboration with the J. Paul Getty Museum, ‘The Getty Collection,’ seamlessly merges the worlds of medieval illuminations and enchanted stationery. Products include luxury stationery sets, exclusive cards and more.

As a female-led business, Kissick prides herself and her business on being kind, family-oriented and understanding.

“There’s so much implicit flexibility and compassion in being a female-owned business. We all love working in this industry because it’s so kind and holistically understanding,” Kissick said.

With Atlanta Market on the horizon, Kissick is excited to showcase her products at the show and offer something new.

“We’re bringing all of that wonder and elevated storybook vibes and fusing it into items that support the stationery world,” Kissick said. “I really think that we can bring a whole new level of ‘heirloom whimsy’ to the world of Atlanta Market. I think the buyers will appreciate thoughtful, elevated, child-like wonder homeware items.”

Jasmine Foster, founder and CEO of Be Rooted, started her career in retail buying, working with emerging brands and innovative spaces. Foster wanted to create an inclusive brand representing and showcasing Black women.

“I always knew inclusion and representation was my passion and my purpose, so being at the forefront of bringing multicultural beauty in a bigger way to major retailers like Target was great for me,” Foster said. “The home section in retail spaces lacked representation from the wall décor to the stationery. I often wondered, ‘When will a brand move into this space to change the narrative of the existing designs that showcased images of Black women as a monolith?’ That’s when I decided instead of waiting for someone else to create this, I launched Be Rooted.”

The name, Be Rooted, originates from Foster wanting her community to feel rooted in culture, representation and in who the customer is.

“I think what sets the brand apart from others in the space is our continued mission to be culturally and inclusively intentional with our messaging and designs,” Foster said.

With messages like ‘Protect your energy,’ ‘Manifest your dreams’ and ‘Guard your spirit throughout Be Rooted’s journals, the company aims to motivate and uplift people on their life journey.

“We look to our customers who are Black and brown women from all backgrounds and design our products to fit everyone’s niche and lifestyle,” Foster said. “Whether you’re into fitness, a gamer, a plant enthusiast, or a grad student, we ensure there’s positivity, intention and authenticity in the colors and messaging of every product.”

Female leadership is prominent in Be Rooted. Foster finds that being a female-led business is empowering, allowing her to establish deeper connections with her core audience and empowering them to reach their full potential.

Looking ahead, Foster continues growing her brand while becoming a major lifestyle brand for women of color.

“We are looking to continue to grow our brand awareness and distribution as we continue down the path of being the biggest lifestyle brand for women of color. Atlanta Market gives us an outlet to introduce our brand to new outlets.”

Find these lines and many more female-led brands at Atlanta Market this summer.

Showrooms:

Tuesday, July 16 – Monday, July 22, 2024

Temporaries:

Wednesday, July 17 – Sunday, July 21, 2024

For more information, visit AtlantaMarket.com

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