Meg Segard is the owner of a small business called The Paper Shutter. Segard founded The Paper Shutter in the spring of 2018, at 16 years old, when it was a very different business than what it is today.
“I knew that I wanted to sell something, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” Segard said. “At first I was planning to do hand lettering and photography. That is how we came up with the name ‘The Paper Shutter.’ Paper for hand lettering and shutter like the shutter in a camera.
“But then I had started sewing more. I had always enjoyed sewing, my mom and grandma taught me when I was around 8 years old, but I didn’t feel like I was good enough to sell what I made,” she said. “But as I practiced more, I felt that I was ready to sell zipper pouches. I started selling on Etsy and then at a local market in Portage.”
Segard expressed that she has found huge success with her business. It is her full-time job, between selling online and at markets. She contributed her success to the support of the people around her.
“I would not be where I am now if I didn’t have the amazing support of my family, friends, and customers,” Segard said. “When I started I did not know what I was doing, and my fellow small business owners helped me in many ways. My family has also been a huge support to me; my mom works with me a lot!”
Segard has many hobbies that she enjoys outside of her work, including cycling and hiking. And, as she previously expressed, she loves to sew.
“I graduated high school last summer,” Segard said. “I was homeschooled, so that gave me more flexibility to work on my business. Right now I am taking a gap year, but I don’t have any plans to go to school next year because I love what I am doing right now. When I am not sewing, I enjoy cycling and hiking; I especially love the Portage bike trail and the Indiana Dunes State Park. I also love listening to audiobooks while I sew.”
Segard’s sales are currently at 4,478 on Etsy, which shows how much people love her products and support her business. Segard’s listings on the website include key chains, wallets, badge reels, and lanyards amongst other things. She makes all of these items herself.
“My favorite part of the business is the making part,” Segard said. “I love all of the sewing. The social media, marketing, and web stuff isn’t my favorite. The maker community is amazing, and I am so grateful for all of the friendships with other small business owners that have come with having this business.”