SA: How do you find new materials?
JS: Sometimes we come across new materials at supplier conventions. Other times, we have an idea for a paper that would require a material we aren’t sure actually exists. So we do research to see if we can find anyone who makes it—or who will make it. A while back, we collaborated with a hair salon owner who wanted scratch and sniff wallpaper in his salon. We hadn’t done that yet, but I knew we could figure it out. We found a water-based adhesive that could be screen printed with a scratch and sniff coating. We released our first Scratch & Sniff collection in 2006, and we still print a wallpaper from it at least once or twice a week!
SA: What is your training?
JS: I got into this business with no training. I have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in business. I’ve always been into color, pattern, and art. You wouldn’t want me to draw people, but I’m pretty good at playing with patterns and simple shapes. I’m also good at developing concepts and finding illustrators who can execute them.
SA: Other than creativity, what skills are important in your business?
JS: Math is extremely important! You have to understand math to work with repeats in a pattern.
SA: What do you love about your job?
JS: I love seeing people’s reactions when we install a wallpaper in their home or office and they see how dramatically it changes the space. That is really fun!