Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Furio.
Hi Annette, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always had a passion for storytelling through media, purpose-driven initiatives, and using my creative skills to help others. These have been the constants that show up in my work and businesses.
Early in my career, I started with digital formats such as documentary filmmaking, websites, and apps that focused on people, relationships, and community. Working as a designer at branding and marketing agencies was the best education in learning how to build relationships, listen to people, and understand how to bring their vision to life.
In 2015, my friend, Heather Germann and I started designing and printing a number of our friends’ wedding invitations. This led us co-found Birdhaus Co., a boutique wedding stationery company. As the company and client list grew, it was challenging to balance my full-time job and the business. I was picking up paper from our supplier before work, meeting with clients on my lunch break, and designing in the evenings. So, in 2017, I took the leap into entrepreneurship and dedicated my time to Birdhaus Co. and freelance design work.
After five very fun, tiring, and rewarding years, I was searching for what was next. Having worked with over 100 couples, I took notice that many had ended up feeling stressed and exhausted by the time their wedding day arrived. I wanted to create a product within the wedding space using my skillsets of writing, design, and industry knowledge, and the idea for the Engagement Journal was born.
I started Season Journals in 2020 with the mission of writing and designing heirloom journals to guide people through life’s many seasons. Today, our collection includes the Engagement Journal, Marriage Journal, and Pregnancy Journal. They act as both a resource and a beautiful place for people to tell their stories while reaping the mental health and wellness benefits of journaling. They help couples build their relationships mindfully and foster their well-being during these major life seasons.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many of us sharing this human experience, I’ve had my share of bumps in the road. The steep learning curve of running a sustainable, healthy business was a challenge every time I started again. Each company came with its own sets of nuances and growing pains. One thing that worked for one did not necessarily work for the other. I went from a service-based business with a physical product (Birdhaus Co.) to a service-based business with a digital product (Annette Furio Design) to a direct-to-consumer physical product business (Season Journals). Just saying that is exhausting! I continue to learn something new every day, and while that is a good thing, I love days when I find my flow state. I’ve faced product-market fit challenges, sales and marketing challenges, and strain on my own mental well-being at times. Even though these challenges are part of my journey, they have never deterred me from moving forward or from trying again. I am still working through the process, creating new products, expanding my knowledge of business, leadership, and mental health.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Season Journals is dedicated to creating modern keepsake journals for life’s seasons. We are a leader in the art of guided journaling for mindfulness, mental health, and relationship-building. Our Heirloom Collection includes the Engagement Journal, Marriage Journal, and Pregnancy Journal, all of which are written and designed for couples to complete together. Journaling together gives them the opportunity to document milestone seasons, strengthen their relationship, and capture their life story in a timeless way.
On October 1, we are excited to release the first journal in our Everyday Collection, the Everyday Positive Journal. Our goal with this new collection is to help individuals show themselves the self-love they deserve, spread kindness in the world, and increase gratitude and positivity in the lives of everyone who picks up this journal.
I am most proud of the collection of journals we are building. I am proud to offer journals that provide content that goes deeper, allowing people the opportunity to grow closer to themselves and the ones they love — all packaged in a beautiful, timeless way that will be cherished for years to come.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’d like to encourage everyone to start a daily journal practice if they don’t already have one. If you prefer to write in a stream-of-conscious style, set an intention for a number of pages you’ll journal or amount of time you’d like to spend. Start small to build the daily habit and give yourself small rewards to reinforce the practice. If guided journals are more your style, find a journal with the content and organization you love. For example, our Everyday Positive Journal encourages you to write one word to guide your day, one act of self-love for yourself, one kindness for others, and provides space to document gratitude and additional thoughts.
It has been shown the benefits of journaling include reduced stress, improved mood, increased self-awareness, and more positive processing of change and challenge in life. We are dedicated to playing our part in helping people experience these powerful mental health and wellness benefits in their own lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://seasonjournals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasonjournals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seasonjournals
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/season-journals/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/seasonjournals
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/seasonjournals/
