Angela Shaw had it all—an MBA, a successful career and financial security, however, she had also reached a stall point in her personal life.
Having a long-term dream that first sparked seven years ago, Shaw finally took the plunge and launched her stationery brand, The 20 Starter Years Planners & Stationery, in March 2022.
“Developing a one page plan based on the business planning tools I used in my corporate strategy career helped me to progress in key areas of personal development,” she explains.
“I used journalling as a method to monitor and track my progress and it worked. I quickly made progress in the areas I focused on and recognised how powerful this tool could be for other people too.”
Spending a few years refining the templates, layouts and tools needed, she then took the opportunity to integrate this into a dated planner anyone could use.
“I wanted the medium to match my message—crisp, professional, elevated—and I spent a long time finding the right manufacturer of high-quality sewing-bound planners with 120gsm paper. When I finally did in March this year, I took the chance to make my dream a reality right away and launched the brand the same day I found them. It has been the perfect partnership.”
Referencing the brand’s name, the 20 starter years is the time you need to start working towards and achieving long-term goals and can be begun at any time, she says.
“Why 20 years? Because you cannot have everything at once. Most things that are worthwhile do take time and a long-term outlook is needed for people to take the pressure off having everything right away. ‘Plan to have it all’, which is our motto, but one small step at a time.”
Shaw’s 2023 planners come in six signature colours and will be launched at First Instyle Melbourne. It is the first goal planner available on the market that does not force people into small boxes every day, she adds.
“When launching my stationery brand, I understood the need to show people my product as they are packed with tools and templates and are unlike anything else available to buy. I also wanted to establish my brand as a long-term partner to any retailer looking for the right product for customers who are searching for something more than what they have right now; the solution to people who are feeling ‘stuck’ but full of potential.
“I felt that First Instyle was the perfect choice. Given its focus on curated collections of original, well-designed and well-intentioned products, this was in perfect alignment with my brand and own aspirations.”
Launching alongside the 2023 planners at First Instyle is a special ‘To do & Not to do’ notepad to give structure to the brain dumps we all make each day, she says.
“This is all just a taste of things to come for The 20 Starter Years Planners & Stationery over the next 12 months and I cannot wait to get started.”
Don’t miss The 20 Starter Years at First Instyle, stand F17.
