Richardson and samples of his LAVENDERPOP greeting cards, 2005.
How did you come up with the idea to create and sell greeting cards celebrating the black LGBT experience?
About five years ago, my friend and I decided to launch a line of Black cards with a contemporary Hip-Hop feel to them. After a few years my friend/business partner decided to focus on her own career as a writer, so the line sorta fell by the wayside. During that time, I learned a lot about designing cards and gained insight into the stationery industry. I had been a freelance illustrator to several LGBT publications since the early 90s (THING, BlackLines, BLACKFIRE) so it just made since to go out on my own and combine the two...Black greeting cards and gay illustrations.
How has business developed over the years?
I made my first sale to a couple stores in August of last year, so it hasn't even been a year yet. The cards have been received really well by store managers and the Black LGBT community. I'm very big on Internet marketing and linking with other sites like yours.
Where can we find your cards?
They're in 10 stores in five cities:
In Chicago: Women and Children First, Cupid’s Treasure, Ragin’ RaeJean’s Gifts & Stuff, and Open Door Books Et Cetera.
Philadelphia: Giovanni’s Room.
Nashville: OUTLOUD Books & Gifts.
Washington DC: Pulp, Pulp on the Hill, and Lambda Rising.
Baltimore: Lambda Rising.
They can also be ordered online at www.lavenderpop.com
What road blocks, if any, have you experienced in getting your cards distributed to mainstream stores?
Distribution is a major issue. I have a great affinity with self-published writers, because when you don't have a distributor getting your stuff out there, you have to do it yourself. I've approached a few gay greeting card distributors and they've all given me the cold shoulder. But I'm not letting that stop me. I know there is a market out there and a rep with the right contacts.
Mainstream stores have been difficult too. But when one store says no, I send my press kit and samples to the next one. Independent stores will always be my base and I urge people to support them.
How can the black LGBT community support you (I mean, besides purchasing your cards?)
Thanks for asking that. From the very beginning I knew I would have to enlist the help of the community in getting my cards where our folks can find them. If there are stores that brothas and sistas frequent, I would ask them to send me an email, and to let me know that I should contact that business.
Lavenderpop Cards are also available to Black Pride vendors who want to offer another product at their tables.
What are you working on right now?
I'm working on some new designs that will hopefully be out for the Christmas season.
Do you create any other type of art?
Right now I'm an art ho. Is that bad to say? I mean I'm workin' it for pay. I do freelance designs for Fat Gurrl Ink which offers T-shirts, cards, and gifts for big beautiful sistas. I do graphic design and architectural drawings for a couple Illinois companies.
The last time I did something that wasn't strictly commercial was a watercolor portrait of my nieces. I'd like to get back to more fine art painting, I just have to make the time.