There鈥檚 a quote that says: 鈥淎 friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship.鈥� But best friends Andrea Helleman and Danielle Lewis of Gallantry Cards would wholeheartedly disagree.聽
鈥淲e鈥檝e always made films and done creative things together,鈥� says Helleman who, even before starting a greetings card company, would hand-make invitations for events and Christmas cards for friends and family.
When Lewis left five years ago for medical school in Edmonton, they joked about how they could set up a greetings card company together to help fund her through school. It took a few years for things to fall into place but they launched their company, Gallantry Cards, this summer, and now sell their work at farmers鈥� markets and through shops.
Lewis is now a medical resident and Helleman runs her own branding company. Although they鈥檙e both busy and live a province apart, they make time to connect by every means possible to create their cards, explains Helleman.
鈥淚 love laughing with Danielle for hours as we鈥檙e trying to perfect things or come up with things,鈥� Helleman says, and explains they鈥檝e also been joined by Kerry Williamson, Lewis鈥檚 boyfriend, who edits their work.
They describe their cards as being 鈥渇or clever, cynical and sometimes bitter adults.鈥� On the front are photographs, many of which Helleman took during a personal challenge in 2013 during which she took a photograph every day for 360 days. She wrote inspirational quotes to accompany them.
Lewis then suggested they add a little unexpected cynicism inside.
鈥淭here are really sweet cards, and then there are really cynical ones鈥� and when you look at them, they鈥檙e really pretty, with really nice photography on the front and a beautiful quote and then, when you open them up, they鈥檙e really fun.鈥�
For example, their most popular wedding card has on the front: 鈥淕ive more, expect less,鈥� and on the inside reads: 鈥淓ssentially marriage, congrats!鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 cute, it鈥檚 cheeky, it鈥檚 cynical,鈥� says Helleman. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 what life is, I find 鈥� both laughter and tears. It鈥檚 about enjoying all the moments.鈥�
Another, she explains, says on the front: 鈥淓verything that exists is perfect,鈥� and on the inside says: 鈥淓xcept you, you鈥檙e a disaster. Happy birthday!鈥�
They have cards for all occasions (鈥渢he big days and the every days,鈥� says Helleman), including cards for breaking up with someone, bridesmaid cards and thank-you cards. They even have one for garbage day.
And though their cards often elicit laughter from shoppers at the markets, there鈥檚 also a more meaningful side, says Helleman, who explains that in the world of text messages, emails and emoticons, a card or handwritten note can be powerful.
鈥淢y mom passed away, and when she got sick, it was crazy how many cards came in, and I remember one card saying: 鈥楽ometimes it鈥檚 not until you get sick... that you realize how loved you are.鈥� And I really felt that,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 just feel the power of the card is something tangible that conveys to a person that you鈥檙e thinking about them.鈥�
Gallantry Cards sells cards online via Etsy and in person at the Treasure Boutique, the Sea to Sky Gondola and at both the Whistler and Squamish farmers鈥� markets. For info, visit www.gallantrycards.com.
