Six years of building something I love, navigating the unexpected, finding balance and learning that growth isn't always about doing more.
This week, Faye Co Papier turns six.
It's a little surreal writing that because, in many ways, I still feel like the same person who started this little stationery business from my bedroom in 2020, with just two products, a love for design and absolutely no idea where it would lead.
I didn't have a big team or an elaborate business plan. I simply loved wellness stationery, being creative and the idea of designing something that could become part of someone's everyday life.
Six years later, our products have travelled to 62 countries, our team is growing, and we're still here, creating, learning and figuring things out as we go.
With every birthday, I find myself reflecting on how much has changed, but also on the things I hope never will.
Growing Without Losing Sight of Why I Started
One of the biggest lessons I've learnt over these six years is that growing a business and enjoying running one aren't always the same thing.
When I first started Faye Co Papier, I could spend hours designing, experimenting with colours, perfecting layouts and getting excited over the smallest details. There was something so fulfilling about turning an idea into a physical product.
As the business grew, so did the responsibilities.
Suddenly, there were orders to fulfil, suppliers to manage, customers to support, stock to organise and an endless list of decisions to make.
Somewhere between trying to grow the business and managing its everyday demands, the thing I loved most, designing, sometimes became the thing I had the least time for.
It's something I've become increasingly conscious of.
I don't want to build a business that becomes so busy that there's no room left for creativity, personal growth or the things that make life meaningful outside of work.
Wellness, looking after myself, spending time with loved ones and enjoying slower moments are all things I want to make more space for.
When you run your own business, there's always something else you could be doing. But I'm learning that being constantly busy isn't necessarily the same as moving forward.
I want Faye Co Papier to continue growing, but I also want to enjoy the process.
The Challenges Behind the Beautiful Things
Six years have brought some wonderful milestones, but also plenty of difficult moments.
There have been unexpected setbacks, launches that didn't go quite as planned, countless lessons learnt the hard way and more moments of self-doubt than I've probably ever shared.
Running a small business often means being responsible for everything, including the things you're still learning how to do.
Some days, you feel incredibly proud of what you've built. Other days, you question every decision.
I used to think that after six years, I would have everything figured out. The reality is, I'm still learning.
And perhaps that's one of the most important things business has taught me.
Growth isn't always linear. Not every idea will work, and not every season will be your most productive. Sometimes progress looks like making difficult decisions, learning to ask for help or simply finding the confidence to keep going.
How My Upbringing Shaped My Perspective
Something I haven't shared much about is that I grew up in a small country in Southeast Asia.
I think our upbringing shapes the way we see the world more than we sometimes realise.
Growing up, I became aware of how closely people's everyday lives are connected to the work they do. How businesses, manufacturing and supply chains can affect not only individuals, but also the families and communities who depend on them.
It's something that has stayed with me.
When you create a physical product, it's easy to focus on the finished design. But behind every product are people whose work often goes unseen.
From sourcing materials and manufacturing to packaging, logistics and all the small steps in between, so many hands are involved before something reaches its final destination.
Being a business owner has made me appreciate that responsibility even more.
We're far from perfect, and as a small brand, there's always more we can learn and improve. But I believe the relationships we build and the decisions we make behind the scenes matter just as much as the products we create.
To me, building a meaningful business isn't simply about selling more. It's also about recognising the people who make it possible.
The People Who Make It All Possible
One of the loveliest parts of this journey has been the incredible people we've had the opportunity to work with.
From our suppliers and manufacturing partners to the talented creatives, photographers and social media teams who help bring our vision to life, I'm grateful for every person who has contributed to our story.
As someone who started out doing almost everything myself, learning to delegate and trust others with something so personal hasn't always come naturally.
But I've learnt that growing doesn't mean having to do everything alone.
Behind every collection are countless conversations, samples, revisions and people who genuinely care about the details.
Our team is growing, but we're still a small, independent, female-founded brand, and I hope we always maintain that personal connection.
I still design our products, recognise familiar customer names, read your messages and take your feedback into consideration when creating something new.
Those little things matter to me.
Learning to Define Success Differently
As we enter our seventh year, I've been thinking about what success really means.
Of course, I want Faye Co Papier to grow. There are still so many designs I want to create, ideas I want to explore and things I hope we'll achieve.
But I no longer want to measure success only by how busy we are, how many products we launch or how much the business expands.
Success also means having the freedom to create, working with good people, looking after my wellbeing and having time for a life outside the business.
There have been moments of excitement, little wins worth celebrating, unexpected challenges and more self-doubt than I've probably ever let on. Some days have felt incredibly rewarding, while others have made me question whether I was doing enough or heading in the right direction.
I used to think that after six years, I'd have everything figured out. But the truth is, I'm still learning, still making mistakes and still finding my way.
And perhaps that's the beauty of building something of your own. You grow alongside it, not just as a business owner, but as a person too.
Perhaps that's the biggest lesson of all.
You can be ambitious and still want a slower, more intentional life. You can grow without losing sight of your original values.
And you can be proud of how far you've come while still having so much left to learn.
A little Thank You
Six years ago, I was simply hoping someone would give my little business a chance.
We're incredibly proud of what Faye Co Papier has become, not because everything has been perfect, but because we've continued showing up, learning and creating through all the ups and downs.
Most importantly, I still get to wake up and do something I love. And that's because of you.
As someone who's always been more comfortable working quietly behind the scenes, I've never really been brave enough to put myself in front of the camera. Yet, despite never really showing my face, you've continued to support me, believe in what I create and make Faye Co Papier part of your everyday lives.
That means more to me than you'll ever know.
Perhaps one day I'll find the courage to host a little pop-up, step out from behind the scenes and finally meet some of you in person. I think that would be such a lovely full-circle moment.
Until then, thank you for being here, for supporting my little dream and for allowing me to continue doing what I love. 🤎 x
Here's to six years, and to growing without forgetting why we started.
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