I was born and raised in a small town of Youngstown, Ohio. Oh, you’ve actually heard of it? On the Sopranos, I bet. I believe Paulie did prison time there when he was busted with illegal firearms. Well, enough about my hometown mafia connections. During the time as a Midwestern kid, my dad would take me to flea markets as a source of entertainment. He would give me five bucks and send me on my way to roam a 50,000 square foot warehouse filled with nothing but cheap knickknacks and “two for $10” knock off t-shirts of everything imaginable.

I always made my way to the lady who sold bulk paper. I was 8 years old at the time, and as an adult writing this now, I wonder to myself why a kid would buy paper. I mean, wasn’t there something more amusing like a “Bambi” doll (hey, like I said, I was at a flea market where knock-offs ruled the earth)?

I stood there with my crumpled five-dollar bill as if I were staring at a wall of candy at a dime store. My eyes scanned the multi-colored papers in various sizes and textures while I tried to make a decision on how to spend my loot. I always decided on the “Grab Bag” because it was not only within my budget, but also because it gave me the most variety.

When it was time to go, my father would ask me why I bought another bag of paper. I always replied, “Because I like it. I don’t ask you why you bought another Beach Boys record, do I?”  [Insert the 8-year-old eye roll here]

So off we went back to home where I would run up into the attic. That was where my “office” was. I would organize my new paper by size and color on my desk, which oddly enough was a piece of plywood sitting atop two cardboard boxes.

Now, I realize this makes me sound like a kid that needed to get out of the house a bit more, and I suppose you’re right. However, it’s taken me to a place where I am today. This paper obsession has followed me throughout my life. I am a self-confessed Paperoholic. I figure there are worse things I could be in life, so I’ll disregard any 12-step program for the time being and continue to be thrown out of stationery stores after last call.

Being that I had to eventually grow up, I decided being a designer gave me a reason to be able to play with paper. I’ve worked for various ad agencies and a university over the span of my career. I’ve even won a few design awards along the way (including a blue ribbon for a pineapple stencil at the Canfield Fair when I was in 6th grade). There came to be a point when I itched to do more with my creativity and passion. Unique, quirky and whimsical design makes people smile, and wouldn’t it be cool if I could do that everyday?

Well, I am.

And I’m thankful for every Sunday I spent as a kid buying $5 bags of paper.

— Kym DeGenaro