Micheal Stewart Listening to Customers Leads to a BIG Payo�
It would seem impossible for a humble young man living in the cool hills of Manchester to create a successful startup that was a winner of the 2017 Guinness Made for More competition . Yet , Micheal Stewart , owner of Stewy ’ s Greetings , defied the odds and made this seemingly impossible dream a reality . Through strong business acumen , great wit and immense graphic design talent ,
Micheal has created a business that is increasingly becoming an indomitable force in Jamaica ’ s wedding industry .
He and his wife Jheanell , along with five full time and two part-time employees , work assiduously to create personalised greeting cards , wedding invitations , wedding programs and wedding favour boxes for customers islandwide . In fact , Jheanell left her beloved teaching job in December 2018 to work full-time with Micheal . This vibrant Spanish and Mathematics teacher still teaches part-time , because teaching is her first love , but also enjoys supporting her husband ’ s entrepreneurial dreams .
I caught up with Micheal and Jheanell recently to learn more about Stewy ’ s Greetings and the secrets to their success both as a couple and as entrepreneurs .
Why Stewy ’ s Greetings ?
People would expect an aweinspiring story describing how Stewy ’ s Greetings began . Once upon a time … just kidding . There ’ s no magical story . I was an NCU marketing student in 2011 who one day found a business opportunity through a simple Google search . I became good at graphic design and wanted to find a way to transform my newfound skill into a way to earn money . I typed the keywords “ businesses to start with graphic design ” in the Google search engine and creating personalised greeting cards was one of the options .
The light bulb went off in my head . Jamaicans are accustomed to stock greeting cards such as those you would buy in stores . However , personalised greeting cards were uncommon . I realised that there was truly something here . My friends and family encouraged me to pursue this business venture . Their support means alot and has helped the business through those early stages .
Customers kept requesting wedding invitations and my answer was always , “ No ”. I wanted the business to focus on personalised greeting cards . People kept asking and I eventually told a few persons , “ Yes ”. Granted , I didn ’ t have any samples to show and had to create some almost immediately after saying , “ Yes ”. This commitment is one of the best I have made in my life ( besides putting that ring on my lovely wife ’ s finger of course ) because it helped pivot the business in 2014 into what it is today .
If you were to describe your business in one word , what would that word be and why ?
Happy . It makes me happy to put smiles on my customers ’ faces and the nature of the industries in which the business operates creates a feeling of euphoria .
How did you make the bold decision to leave your fulltime job ?
I was working at a company as a Marketing Executive after university . Although Stewy ’ s Greetings began in 2011 , it wouldn ’ t have been feasible for me to leave my job then to commit wholeheartedly to business growth . I have a young family and bills to pay . Can you relate ?
However , the demand for wedding invitations sparked a shift in the company ’ s focus in 2014 . I then conducted a feasibility study and realised the immense financial value that could be gained by producing wedding-related materials such as invitations and programs . A customer may order one personalised greeting card , but a bride or a wedding planner may order hundreds of wedding invitations .