Friday, March 15, 2013

A look back over 5 years!

Divinity Designs is so blessed to be celebrating 5 years in the rubber stamp business.  Back in March 2008 when I first began this venture, I asked God that if it be His will for this business to succeed then I was going to need all the help I could get..LOL!  Knowing nothing about rubber stamp production, websites, or online commerce, I set about the task of learning what I needed to know. Even today, I learn more and more as time goes on.  

We strive to provide to our customers what they request. We work hard at maintaining our roots as a scripture based stamp company, but also are providing more main stream themes that include messages of love, giving and support by utilizing more inspirational and faith based sentiments and quotes.

During the planning for our 5th year anniversary, Grace suggested that a NOW & THEN type post might be interesting for our readers! So I will be walking you down memory lane, showing some of the changes that has taken in the last 5 years.

THEN: First thing I needed to purchase in January 2008 was a vulcanizer, to press my rubber for our first stamp set (and remains our company logo) Light of the World. It was a huge purchase for me but Rick encouraged me to give it a go! 

I went about ordering the plates, making the molds, pressing the rubber, cutting out the stamps and packaging them up! This is what is referred to as a table top model and can press a sheet of rubber every 15 minutes.

NOW: We have a company that carefully custom color blends our rubber for us (orchid) and presses our sheets. It is hard to tell in this photo, but this machine is pretty massive!



THEN: Back then I would spend hours and hours cutting the stamps on my old scroll saw.....

NOW: We have Tanya, Dreama and Cheryl cutting now!! 



THEN: My first show, a 10 foot booth, was in October 2008.  By June 2009 we bought our first trailer, a 16 footer, shown here before and after we had our custom wrap installed on it, and small enough to be pulled by an Expedition.



NOW:  We have anywhere from 50-90 foot long booths now and have expanded to a 26' trailer and a F350 to pull it!


THEN:  Simple, small booths were a start for us... (I am shown her with my wonderful sister in Christ, Randi Barret who passed away in November 2012.)


NOW:  Rick and Josh worked very hard welding together our custom carts that get wheeled on an off the trailer to make set up easier and to enable us to bring more product to the shows!


THEN:  No photo, but I started out in my daughter's old bedroom...
NOW:  In July 2010 we moved into Rick's barn!


THEN: I think it is interesting how much new products have changed the look of card making throughout the years.  Here is a somewhat more simpler card I had made with our first stamp release:


NOW:  With the vast array of dies available now, cards are getting more and more detailed! We have a large selection of our own custom dies that continues to grow each month!



THEN: No CHA wholesale show

NOW: CHA! (shown with Josh getting ready for opening day!)

THEN: No wholesale business. All orders are important to us, even a single stamp order! Josh is one of our full time employees and is our Operations Manager. (NO, he is not my son!)


NOW: We are so pleased to be able to offer retail stores our scripture stamps!
The stores we cannot reach, our distributors do!

I hope you have enjoyed having a small glimpse into the growth of our business.  We thank God for everything! His guidance has led us to where we are today and we pray for His continued blessings for our future!

I want you to know that even with God's help, it is our customers who make it possible for us to continue to provide you with the word of God through our stamps! We thank you so much for your support!!

Stay tuned tomorrow for our 5th Anniversary release post and the Blog Hop.  As always we have PRIZES to give away!

Blessings,

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35 comments:

Becky said...

What a wonderful post. It is so good to see how God blesses us when we trust and obey Him. May you all continue to be blessed.

Grace said...

Thanks so much for this post Kelley! It's just amazing to see how God has blessed this business... and how it brings glory to Him through giving so much of His Word to all us crafters to use on cards and other media! When you start to think of how many are touched by making and/ or receiving cards made with these stamps... you begin to get a picture of just what a blessing ODBD is!!! It's an honor to work for you and may He continue to bless ODBD!!! Happy Anniversary!!!

TLady said...

WOW!!!!!!! THANK YOU for showing us all this!!!!!!! (SUPER IDEA GRACE!) :) ODB IS a BLESSING!!!!!!!!! AND A WITNESS FOR CHRIST!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU for making it possible to STAMP God's Word on our projects!!!!!!!!! :) That WE TOO can be a witness for Christ! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ALL AT OUR DAILY BREAD!!!!!!!!!! :)KEEP UP to GREAT WORK ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Leanne said...

Happy 5th Anniversary to all at ODBD. Your accomplishments over the 5 years are God's blessings.

Dawn said...

Happy Anniversary, thank you...and thanks for the walk down memory lane too! The post is perfect! Such a blessing...hugs

Marlena M. said...

Happy Anniversary~thank you for sharing your testimony! I love behind the scenes photos~ ;)

Saints Rule! said...

Well now I have to quite crying long enough to type... What a wonderful testimony to how God can bless our socks off if we trust and take that first step. ODBD has been such a blessing to me personally. I remember ordering my first set in 2009 and never looked back. God's word is so very powerful and it such a blessing to be able to share that in our creations. Thank you to the entire ODBD team! God bless! ((hugs))

Lori

Conniecrafter said...

Neat to see the then and now of the business, May God continue to bless you as you provide wonderful stamps for us to spread his word and love to others.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary and what a wonderful Blessing your business has been to so many of us crafters. I am still hoping that someday you will exhibit at one of the Florida shows. We would love to see you here
Charlene

Loretta O. said...

Loved reading about ODBD's growth and success!!! God is so GOOD!!! Looking forward to all the wonderful things yet to come!

kathi17 said...

Thank you so much for sharing these pictures and the wonderful story of your company. Happy Anniversary, and may the Lord bless you with continued success!

Christine Harrop said...

Thank you for the insight into the growth of your business Kelley. God has really blessed you for all your hard work. I love the fact that I can buy ODBD stamps so easily in the UK now!! Love and God Bless! Christine xx

Bobbi Miller said...

How nice of you to share the beginning with us. I am so in love with all your products and I am a Stampin' UP Demonstrator :-) God Bless you all. With every order I receive, Josh always has a hand written note on my packing slip. What a wonderful, friendly, warm touch. I love it! May you continue for years to come! What a great way to spread His word! Hugs!

Kathy said...

Wonderful to hear your story, Kelley! God has truly blessed you and allowed you to bless others! Happy Anniversary!

irishgreensue said...

Such a fantastic success story, all the way back to the beginning - I loved seeing all the pictures that show the growth! Makes me appreciate you, Rick and all the people who helped make ODBD the best ever! I love the personal touch you add to every order - just jotting down a note on the receipt makes your customers know you value them! Can't wait to see you at the show in April!! Happy Anniversary - and MANY, MANY MORE!

E. Marie said...

Thank you so much for sharing about your business. God has truly blessed!! Thank you for providing us with wonderful stamps that are scripture based. Happy Anniversary!!

Bernadette RS said...

It really IS amazing how God led you, Rick, and everyone on the team! What an incredible testimony! I pray His Word touches all who receive ODBD's paper crafting supplies!

Linda said...

What a beautiful testimony to God's goodness with your ODBD business. All the beautiful stamps and dies inspires us to create more and give Glory to God's word. Love how you and Rick works so well together. I am looking forward to seeing him at a show next week in Columbus, Ohio and to see what goodies lie in store for me. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Lagene said...

Happy Anniversary! You've come a long way!

Sherry Kushibab said...

God is good. What's great job you have done putting His word to rubber, you have set the standard. So glad for your vision 5 years ago, blessed to own your product and know you.

Liz Williams said...

I remember ordering my first stampset from Our Daily Bread the songbird and dogwood set and a cross set. I was so excited that there was a company who dared to make only sets based on scripture. I think I may have even commented on my order how much I prayed God would bless your efforts. Now I am so pleased to see just how far God has brought you!!! May He continue to bless you abundantly and without a doubt, our world still is in great need of the comfort of the Word as it always will,and continues to gives us all reasons to seek these stamps that you offer. Congratulations on your 5th anniversary!

Mary Marsh said...

Congrats on 5 wonderful years Kelley-I remember discovering ODBD and being so excited at my first purchase from you-here's to another5+ years

Sandy Allnock said...

I just love this post - what a wonderful thing God has done through you guys!

Consuella Jackson said...

When you step out in faith, everything falls in to place. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (KJV)

Anita Braddock said...

Happy Happy Anniversary. Super awesome. love all your products and and all the projects that you and your team makes is Amazing thanks for all your Hops and Ideas.
Hugs

Janet said...

Happy Anniversary! I love receiving your email and seeing all the wonderful stamps you have made for us over the years. I love all that I have and plan on getting more. They are wonderful.

Judy McMullen said...

Thanks for sharing your "Then" and "Now" story in pictures! May God continue to bless ODBD and all of you!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your 5th anniversary! You bless so many with your work .. may God continue to bless you always.

Joan K said...

May God continue to bless you and your company for many more years!

Anonymous said...

God HAS really blessed you and ODBD. Thank you for your dedication. Also, thank you for supporting Operation Write Home. You've been very generous. Glenda F

Cindy O said...

Congratulations, and thanks for sharing your inspiring story! Thanks also for your support of our troops through Operation Write Home! You've been a blessing to many.

Paula S. said...

Congratulations on your 5th Anniversary and thanks to ODBD for being such a steadfast supporter of Operation Write Home. May you be blessed with continued success!

Donna Nuce said...

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! God Bless you with many years of success for doing his work!

CherylQuilts said...

Wow, Kelley, this is a wonderful journey back to see where God has taken you all from. Praise Him! I love all the comparison photos...and I love the added post above including your precious hubby! May God continue to bless you and this business for His glory! Hugs!

Beth L. said...

Happy Anniversary and Congratulations! I really appreciate the support you give OWH. May God continue to bless you.