top of page

HOW HALLMARK CARDS HELPED ME BECOME YOUR TOP PRODUCT-BASED BUSINESS COACH

Writer's picture: Christine SacramoneChristine Sacramone

Updated: 6 days ago

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH A TOP RATED PRODUCT-BASED BUSINESS COACH & WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM HALLMARK CARDS.


I Want You To Benefit Significantly from My Unconventional Product Based Business Coaching Methods and Personal Story Of How I Became A Successful Product Designer at an early age working for Hallmark Cards.



Allow me to share my approach with you and demonstrate why I'm the best Product Based Business Coach for you to collaborate with to create your product-based business from scratch utilizing the strategies I've developed over my accomplished career as a product developer for some of the biggest industry leaders.



Curious how one person impacted my product design abilities and my unique approach to creating successful physical products?

Let me tell you more.

Would you like to know How One Person Impacted My Future As A Creative Thinker?

I'd like to share with you how someone from my past has transformed my approach to creativity, and I hope to be that person for you and your product-based business growth.


Part Two of a Two Part Audio Insight Blog Series

(Don’t miss Part One!)


Just Press Play & Start Your 24 Minute Audio Insights!



Here's a Fun RESOURCE I want to Share. A Book By Gordon MacKenzie, Unlike Anything You've Even Seen. It's a Cult Classic for Empowering Creative Thinking!



Part Two Audio Insights Starts Here:


Now, if you haven’t listened to PART ONE: Why you should work with me & how I do it differently....HEAD OVER THERE NOW, I’m sharing coaching tips I gained on my own creative journey. (HERE'S THE LINK)

Now, let’s dive into PART TWO STORYTELLING:

I want to share a STORY of my own creative journey after college…

I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work for Hallmark Cards Corp offices in Kansas City, MO for several years.

This experience came right after I graduated from Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia, PA.

I'm so grateful for the incredible career path that Hallmark has put me on!

But what I really want to talk about is THE POWER OF ONE!

How a single person can alter the course of your life, unbeknownst to you.

It's fascinating how one individual can make a profound impact on your life, even if you don't realize it at the time.

Allow me to introduce you to a dear and peculiar character that played a significant role in shaping myself and countless others as creators, designers, product specialists, and business innovators. This person, who I would describe as a court jester, left an indelible mark on my path to becoming a product designer.

This contribution is dedicated to the memory of Gordon MacKenzie, who was deeply loved by those who knew him.

Gordon's mission was to maintain creativity at Hallmark, a challenging task given the sterile hallways and crowds of dark-suited individuals bustling through the corporate headquarters.

Back in the late 1980s, when I first joined HMK, Gordon MacKenzie was already known as "The King" too many of his colleagues at Hallmark.

However, I found him to be more of a funny jester, and I say this with the utmost respect, as I recognized the rebel in him.

Gordon worked tirelessly to eliminate the hierarchy, which is often associated with kings & large corporation, to encourage creativity and freedom of expression.


(I can see why I share this same trait with him and carried it throughout my 30 year career- I carried my own bit of authority issues just like Gordon.)

It was a funny thing to walk into a meeting full of suits and see Gordon’s smiling face sitting there in a tie dyed t-shirt, that looked like he slept in it, with his silver hair pulled back into a messy pony tail.

To my surprise he wasn’t attending the meeting – he was running it! And what A meeting he would hold… a New Age Hippie with as many theories about the creative process as there are stars in the universe.

Fondly I recall the ringing of Gordons Tibetan temple bells as a signal to begin a brainstorm session. That ding would shift us all, followed by turning off the lights and inviting us to sit with our thoughts for a moment as we soaked up the sweet tone & vibration of the temple bells that continued to ring.

Abruptly we were asked with eyes closed and in the dark to shout out everything we hated about corp brainstorm sessions of the past. No one waited their turn, everyone went wild hurling complaints.

We were encouraged to get louder, go deeper, say it, don’t hold back!

It was chaos, but it was an effective solution to disrupt the old ways of doing things and reinventing a creative space full of imagination.

Wow… Gordon was refreshing, amusing and inspiring! So free! He truly earned his title as Hallmark’s Creative Paradox.

Gordon created something new in corporate culture that was full of systems & processes. He shined a bright light on DESIGN THINKING that wasn’t only available to artists and designers.

MacKenzie was a maverick who challenged the system to find innovative solutions for long-standing issues. Gordon was one of those individuals who followed their own path and didn't conform to corporate America's mainstream ideology.

It's no secret that most creatives get drained by the heavy paperwork and routines, Gordon freed himself of those restrictions.

(I'm sure that resonates with many of us!)

He managed to develop Humor Workshop, Think Tanks, Creative Labs, and Incubators that brought out the creative genius in all of us through collaboration, doodling, dreaming with a lot of play and music- all to create a profound impact on the way we designed products from that day forward.

Design Thinking & Business Aspects truly United!

It felt new, It felt fresh!

Years later, I collaborated with one of Gordon's top protégés who taught me the value of being a creative troubleshooter and encouraged me to push the limits of product design.

A crucial aspect to keep in mind is to not let the business take priority over creativity. Instead, allow creativity to flourish alongside the business.

I was deeply moved by this idea, so I worked hard to refine my skills as I transitioned between assignments and departments, constantly taking on new and exciting special projects.

Wow! That learning journey was an incredible game-changer for me!

Gordon was a superstar, a Peter Pan of sorts and I thank my lucky stars for ever so briefly putting me on his path in life.

I have learned how to navigate through controversy and position myself as the mediator between the "chaos of creativity" and the "discipline of business."

I have honed my skills to convey the artist's vision in terms that business professionals can comprehend. This ability has been invaluable in my 25 +year career in creative product development that followed my experience at Hallmark.

I realized that I didn't have to choose between a creative or business path. Rather, I could combine them in a harmonious way to produce products that are both meaningful and purposeful, and create a profound connection with the consumer. After all, an emotional bond with the customer is the key to sales success!

Now... WHAT DID I DO WITH ALL THIS EXPERIENCE for next 25 years that followed?

As a product designer with a passion for creativity & business, I was naturally inclined to coach creative teams from the beginning of my career...

As I previously mentioned, shortly after graduating college, Hallmark Cards Corp in KC, MO recognized my potential and appointed me to guide large groups in six-week-long "Creative Think Tanks."

The objective was to bring together artists, makers, and editors to brainstorm innovative methods of collaboration and develop fresh physical product concepts as a team.

In the early 90s, this was an experimental approach to design, particularly for a large corporation such as Hallmark Cards.

It was truly an honor and an incredible experience to lead these groups in my 20s!

Hallmark recognized the immense potential of its creative employees, leading them to establish "creative labs and think tanks" to foster innovative group thinking. As a result, every individual involved became a more proficient creative thinker, idea generator, and producer of top-selling consumer goods.

During the 90s, Hallmark experienced tremendous success, particularly due to their "Creative Think Tanks." This program was so effective that it was extended to Hallmark's Hong Kong office staff, as well as the vendors they collaborated with throughout Asia.

Fast forward, I was tasked with leading this mission and implementing the same creative techniques in Hong Kong that I employed with the teams in Kansas City.

I spent several months in Hong Kong implementing new product design strategies with multiple departments and manufacturing individuals that would play an important role in executing Top Selling Product Designs.

Here's how we worked together to enhance our product design:

  • We would have daily meetings to collaborate on the specific product design that was sent from the KC Design Teams to HK.

  • During the meetings, we discussed ways to improve the design based on the manufacturer's expertise, pricing limitations, quality-controlled material selections, and other factors.

  • To prevent straying too far away from the design collection focus, it was crucial for everyone to comprehend the shared vision of the product and collection.

  • This is where I excelled…honoring the creative ideas that brought the product to life- while infusing business improvements without compromising the design- only elevating it!

  • We devoted significant time to researching and troubleshooting production methods to decrease costs and boost the product's profit margins.

  • When working on product design, we frequently sought ways to enhance it. Since each product represented a significant investment in inventory, we were committed to ensuring that every item was a successful seller.

Being a product designer has opened my eyes to new possibilities beyond what the artists may have initially considered when designing the item in KC. Translating design specs from paper to a tangible prototype through execution, sculpting, and creating molds is a unique and exciting experience.

I was able to Quickly Change Course to Improve a Products Design & Ultimately Sales!

To enhance the product to connect with consumers, I was able to pivot quickly by adding heartfelt messages, tweak the color selection, and alter the products appearance.

Additionally, I developed unique packaging and point-of-purchase displays to increase engagement and attract more customers on the sales floor.

Devoting hours to selecting and sourcing materials and components for each product design was a priority for me and the creative team.

The objective was to ensure excellent quality and for it to be visually apparent to the customer, so they could appreciate the intricate details that went into every item we created.

I'm a huge supporter of brainstorming, but with a bit of structure.

By promoting team collaboration and encouraging idea-sharing, we were able to come up with some truly innovative solutions.

The process was not only productive, but also enjoyable for everyone involved. Collaborations have opened up countless new business opportunities for all the companies and clients I have worked with over the years.

Working alongside creative teams, overseas offices, and vendors- we felt more unified than ever before- and boy did it feel good compared to the great divide we were moving away from as a general business practice.

It was no longer BUSINESS telling CREATIVE what to do!

The experience was truly empowering!

Gordon Mckenzie was the creative genius behind this innovative approach to generating business opportunities. His influence and impact on all of us, as product designers who see business as an integral part of the design process, has been profound.

He was an incredible man and I’m grateful that his approach to business and design was passed down to me as well as so many of my peers at Hallmark.

Hallmark prided itself on connecting with the emotions of their ideal customers.

Today, I spend my days helping creative business owners, just like you, to design and make incredible product designs into your ‘best sellers” way before you invest a dime into raw materials and inventory.

The only way to do this is to run your product idea through a Creative Think Tank, and Product Development Incubator which taps into your creative passion, and identifies your ideal customers’ needs before you start producing a physical product to sell.

However, throughout my years of experience, I've noticed a disturbing trend amongst creative entrepreneurs:

  • They invest a considerable amount of energy attempting to sell a physical product that isn't performing well. Instead of moving on, they pour resources into trying to get the product noticed, in hopes of recovering the inventory investment.

This just simply will not work.

I Encourage Clients to Identify Strong Product Ideas in the early stages...

It's important for my clients to recognize that there are steps they can take to determine if a product idea is a strong, best-seller before it's too late. By dedicating more time to the design and development phase, they can assess the potential - or lack thereof - of their product ideas.

This level of awareness early on is the difference between succeeding as a physical product based business owner- OR NOT!

I want you to Think Twice Before Launching a New Consumer Product.

If you’re considering launching a new product on a whim without any proper planning- Before you whip out your credit card to stock up on inventory, take a moment to slow down and think things through.

I made the decision long ago to utilize my experience at Hallmark and craft an imaginative future for myself. And I'm pleased to say that's exactly what I've accomplished!

Quick Source.co is considered Your One-Stop-Shop for Designing, Marketing, and Selling Your Physical Products- and I’m proud of that!

With over 30 years of experience in creating and refining unique physical products, combined with expert knowledge in marketing, packaging, and vendor sourcing, I've got you covered.

I know for a fact that I’m your secret weapon when it comes to designing physical products that sell.

Now I want You to Unlock the Secrets to Designing Physical Products that Sell!

I'm confident that I can help you create successful physical products because I use the same methods that have worked for the biggest names in the consumer product and gift industry.

I've distilled these techniques into easy-to-follow steps that you can put into action right away for your product-based business.

With me on board, here's what you can expect:

  • You will break through Creative Blocks to Develop Your Own Physical Product Idea.

  • Discover How to Match the Perfect Products with Your Target Customers.

  • We will welcome every obstacle and address every objection to ensure that your product idea is robust from the very beginning!

  • The steps I walk you through are the ones I used to generate thousands of new product ideas. It’s a framework that gets you designing your future best sellers before you invest one penny into prototypes, samples, inventory or raw materials.

  • My teaching approach is designed to build your confidence in a structured, yet easy-to-follow manner. I won't overwhelm you with tons of homework, but instead provide layers of guidance that will empower you to take control of your new ideas. I'll share my passion and knowledge, and guide you through the necessary steps to make sound design and business decisions.

Looking for a fast and fun way to achieve your product design business goals?

My self-guided workshop methods are designed to deliver quick wins that you can build upon, with a roadmap for ongoing success even after our work together.

Plus, I'm always available to provide support as you navigate through any phase of building your physical product-based business.

I mean it! I’ll be there for you!

If you’re ready to take your creative talents to the next level with physical product designs in categories such as:

- Home décor’ - Stationery - Jewelry - Lighting - Interior Design - Garden accessories - Angel collectables - Linens - Fashion accessories - Seasonal décor - Bath, beauty & Skincare - Candles & fragrance - The Huge Industry of Pet Products - Innovative Sports gear - Pottery & Tabletop - Novelty gifts - Party decorations & favors... and so much more!

You should jump over to my IDEA MAPPING WORKSHOP right now and enroll in the 1st step to becoming a successful product based designer & business owner.

Well, I hope my journey in product design has motivated you to embark on your own path, with your unique perspective.

It has been a pleasure sharing my experiences and shining a light on the fantastic individuals I've had the opportunity to work with – they have inspired me to pursue the life that I'm happily living today.

If you believe that I can be that person for you, I'm excited to join you on this creative journey at Quick Source.co.

Let's connect soon!


I hope you found this helpful. Please LEAVE A COMMENT so we all grow.


It's time to show your products to the world!




Helpful Resources & Tools Related To This Topic:


Here's a Fun RESOURCE I want to Share. A Book By Gordon, Unlike Anything You've even seen. It's a Cult Classic For Empowering Creative Thinking!



Check Out All The RESOURCES a Creative Needs To Run A Physical Product Based Business:



There are many ways to work with Christine:


Comments


bottom of page