The Just A Card campaign, which encourages and promotes supporting independent retailers looks set to grow, thanks to a major commitment from Funding Circle, a leading ethical lender to small businesses.
The support not only means that another 7,000 Just A Card window vinyls are now in production, but the costs of these being disseminated to interested indie retailers will be covered.
Designer Sarah Hamilton has spearheaded this significant grassroots campaign for over three years, ever grateful of the support it has received from the greeting card industry, notably from the GCA, Cardgains, PG, Gemma and The Art File to grow awareness, with some 3,000 window vinyls now in shops.
“We’ve worked our socks off on this campaign, because we care passionately about artists, designers, small businesses and independent shops,” Sarah said. Added to the hard graft has been the need to fundraise too especially as the campaign has grown so much, so the financial help from Funding Circle will be put to good use.
“Our message is making a BIG difference, but we need to spread the word to the wider public to be truly successful,” elaborates Sarah who was delighted when Funding Circle contacted her to offer support.
In a short video, shot in Sarah’s studio to launch the partnership, Jo Casley, head of brand projects at Funding Circle said: ”We’re really excited about teaming up with Just A Card as we’re passionate about supporting small businesses.” Jo said that one of the aims is to “treble the number of Just A Card window stickers” out in the market place.
The new partnership gets underway in the run up to the inaugural Just A Card – Indie Week (which will take place 19-23 November).
“Funding Circle was born from the belief that when small businesses succeed, everyone benefits,” James Meekings, managing director of Funding Circle, said: “It’s no surprise then that the first campaign we’ve supported since becoming a public company is one dedicated to small business growth.
“For Just A Card to truly work we need to make our logo instantly recognisable as a symbol of amazing independent businesses. We need to stress just how vital and valuable each and every sale is so small businesses not only survive, but thrive,” reinforces Sarah, reinforcing the broader opportunities that the Funding Circle investment will facilitate.
Top: Just A Card founder (and author of the House of Cards book), Sarah Hamilton (right) with PG’s Jakki Brown.
