We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michelle Marks. Check out our conversation below.
Michelle, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For me, it’s selling myself. And not in the “scary big-deal” way I once thought—but in the simple act of standing up and saying: Yes, I made these stickers. Yes, I designed these greeting cards. And yes, people actually want them.
That used to feel impossible. I loved designing, doodling, and dreaming—but putting my work out there with the confidence that someone would not just like it, but buy it? That was terrifying. It meant admitting that what I create has value, and that people might see a little piece of themselves in my designs.
But the truth is, people do want to buy them. They want the sticker that makes them laugh every time they see it on their laptop. They want the card that says exactly what they couldn’t find the words for. My job isn’t to shy away from that—it’s to be brave enough to put my work in the world and say: “Here it is. It’s fun. It’s silly. And it might just make your day better.”
Selling myself has become less about fear and more about celebration. Each order is a reminder that someone connected with my work, that my little drawing made it past my sketchbook and into somebody’s real life. And that’s worth showing up for—even when it feels scary.
So what am I being called to do now, that I was afraid of before? To own my role not just as a maker, but as a seller. To be confident that my stickers and greeting cards aren’t just products—they’re pieces of joy, laughter, and connection. And I’m finally brave enough to let the world have them.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Michelle, the founder and designer behind Inviting Affairs Paperie. In short? I make stickers and greeting cards that are equal parts playful, cheeky, and a little bit sassy.
For the past 20 years, I’ve been turning doodles into designs that now live on laptops, water bottles, and in mailboxes all over the world. My brand is all about making people smile—whether it’s a sticker that makes you laugh every time you spot it, or a card that says exactly what you were thinking (but way cuter).
What makes it special? It’s fun, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it’s designed to add a spark of joy to the everyday. Basically: I create tiny, paper-sized happiness you can share—or stick on something and keep forever.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself has definitely been with my current partner. For a long time, I was in a marriage with three little kids, and like so many women, I put myself on the back burner. My energy went to everything and everyone else, and my own dreams stayed tucked away.
After my divorce, meeting him changed everything. He not only gave me the confidence to think about myself again, but also to put real energy into my business. As an art major himself, he could see the quality in my work in a way I hadn’t fully allowed myself to. He pushed me to design more, do more, and believe that my brand deserved a seat at the table.
Even now, he’s the person I run everything by—the first to cheer me on, the first to challenge me to do better, and the first to remind me that my creativity has value. Having someone who truly believes in you and pushes you forward has been one of the biggest gifts of my life and my career.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wound of my life was definitely my divorce. It was one of the hardest and most challenging experiences I’ve ever gone through, and it left me feeling like I had lost my sense of self. I wasn’t able to be who I wanted to be or feel confident in who I truly was. It was not a good marriage in the end, and walking away from it was both painful and necessary.
The way I’ve healed those wounds has been by realizing that what happened to me doesn’t define me—it’s simply part of my story. I’ve built a new chapter with a wonderful partner, my kids, and my stepkids. Creating this new family and finding safety, love, and confidence in it has been the most powerful way to heal.
And honestly, it’s only made me more successful in my business. That difficult season pushed me to rediscover who I am, to take risks, and to pour my energy into something that lights me up. The confidence and support I’ve found in my new life have fueled my creativity and drive, and my business has grown because of it.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One of the truths that’s so foundational in my life is that creativity isn’t a hobby—it’s who I am. I don’t always say it out loud, but designing and making things has been a thread running through every part of my life. It’s how I process the world, how I connect with people, and how I show up for myself.
Another big one: family comes first. Whether it’s my kids, my stepkids, or my partner, they are the grounding force that makes everything else possible. My business only works because it’s built around love, support, and connection at home.
And finally, I hold onto the truth that joy matters. Life is too short not to laugh, not to play, and not to put a silly sticker on your water bottle just because it makes you smile. That joy might seem small, but it’s powerful—it’s what keeps me moving forward and what I try to share through my work.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell the story that I was someone who made life a little brighter. That I created things—stickers, cards, designs—that made people laugh, feel seen, or feel connected. I’d love for my story to be one of joy, creativity, and not taking life too seriously.
And let’s not forget—I was a single mom who raised three boys on my own for years. Honestly, that alone deserves a medal (or at least a lifetime supply of wine and pizza). But really, I feel like I’ve raised three amazing, exceptional kids who are going to leave their own mark on the world—and yes, I’m going to go ahead and take some credit for that.
At the end of the day, if people can say I loved my family fiercely, built something out of my art, and left behind a little more kindness, color, and fun in the world—then that’s the story I’d want told.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
