The world could use a little more joy in it, and Annie Rusche is doing her part in sparking joy in Cincinnati with her paper and gift shop Southbound Joy Paper and Gifts.
“Each product on Southbound Joy’s website is designed with love and grace and Southern Hospitality in mind,” says Rusche. “You’ll find custom stationery, fun holiday products like bunny bait beach bag tags, invitations, conversation stater placemats for your littles, prints and paintings, and so much more that makes all those joyful moments in life a little more fun.”
Rusche’s love for celebrating even the smallest moments came from her love for the South. “I always felt like I was planted in the Midwest, but my heart was in the South,” she says. “Being southbound brought me so much joy.”
In launching her own business, Rusche says that it really was the culture of the South, like Southern Hospitality, monograms, embroidery, gift-giving, and elevating parties, that inspired her. One example, she says, includes her conversation stater placemats. According to Rusche, those came about when her daughter refused to sit at the dinner table to eat. “After trying to keep her at the table through conversation, which was unsuccessful, I designed an ‘In the Garden with Margaret’ conversation placemat to keep her at the table,” she explains. “Now, she uses it in her play area, has learned about spending time in the garden, eats at the table, or uses it as a learning tool in her playroom. It’s made dinnertime feel less chaotic and more special.”
Rusche brings plenty of experience to the table, as she spent years in the corporate world as a marketing strategist. “I realized I could use my business background to drive success for my passion,” she says.
After years of designing stationery for friends and family, Rusche knew it was time to spread the love to the rest of the community.
When you shop Southbound Joy, you’ll find a plethora of gifts and papers goods including custom stationery, fun notepads, laminated bag tags, customized stationery and paper products for teachers, conversation starter placemats, paper and gift bundles, neighborhood specific gifts, fun flags, party packs, custom gift tags, calendars, menu cards, table signs, and fun surprises like bunny bait to sprinkle in the yard for the Easter Bunny.
Rusche says that what makes her business unique is the purposeful details she puts into every product she creates. She emphasizes that it’s all about the small details that make her items stand out.
As she looks to the future of her business and continues to grow, Rusche plans to launch several new products including the Big, Bigger, and Biggest Party Packs, neighborhood-themed conversation stater placemats, a new notepad, and new stationery designs that are ideal for both everyday use and gifts. “Being a licensed Realtor, I’m also releasing a special stationery line for Realtors looking for new closing gift ideas,” adds Rusche.
To learn more about Southbound Joy Paper and Gifts, visit https://www.southboundjoypaper.com or follow along on Instagram.
