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Our Q&A with Love/Hate owners...

Please tell us about Love/Hate cards. What makes your line unique?

Love/Hate is the creation of a graphic designer, writer, and web designer. Caliph Rasul (graphic designer/“Snack Addict”), Cisily Elcan (writer/“Java Junkie”) and Michael Hyman (web designer/”Bacon Aficionado”). We decided to fuse our talents by creating a line of greeting cards.

We have created greeting cards that not only speak, but show what is in our hearts and in the hearts of anyone that has experienced the myriad of emotions that stem from joy, love, heartache and everything in-between.

Our greeting cards are more than images and words, every card is the result of blending two beautiful works of art. The messages expressed in each card created by Love/Hate are reflections of emotions we have all felt or will feel at some point in our life.

What challenges have you faced as a business owner within the greeting cards industry and graphic design industries?

We haven’t had any challenges in the greeting card industry. We have been very fortunate so far. But in the graphic design industry we have come across some challenges. It is a real “Good Ol’ Boy” environment. But, it has forced us to make our own footprints in the sands of design so to speak. The “Rascal By Design (Branding+Identity)” company was born out of those challenges. So, that is a great thing.

What inspires each greeting card theme?

The emotion of love and hate, nature, life, and great writing.

What are some lessons learned during your entrepreneurial journey? What experiences have made you and your business become successful?

That tough skin, patience, goals, and learning to take criticism (positive or negative). Is the only way that success will come to you on this journey.

Love/Hate’s ability to connect with a wide range of people has allowed us to be successful so far. We have seen first hand how our cards have invoked a myriad of emotions.

We have also held focus groups with other designers and writers, in order to refine our designs and inserts to insure the best product possible.

We will have our very first in-store display, in early 2011, in the Chicagoland area. So, we are really happy about our successes thus far.

What is an inspirational quote that keeps you going?

“Designing inside the box, while thinking outside of it” ~Author Unknown