Tell me about yourself and your brand – who are you and what sets you apart?
Hi, Im Kirsty and I created My Happy Journal after experiencing a little too much stress at work which led me study and practice mindfulness. Having a quieter mind meant I reconnected with my love of drawing and creating things. I wanted to create a journal for children to help them learn about mindfulness and mindset without it feeling like homework. Something that is fun, encourages their creativity, that’s not screen based while celebrating their unique qualities and the magic of childhood.
What inspired you to create your brand?
My children, my inner 8-year-old, the lack of positive mindset and mindfulness products for children at the time and the day I thought I was having heart issues. It’s a long story?? 
Can you tell us three interesting facts about the brand?
- It was created by two children and one young at heart adult after learning about mindfulness
- We believe in magic
- We regularly donate journals to families who may not have the ability to purchase non-essential items. We also support Rockinghorse Children’s Charity and ECH Charity (Edinburgh Children’s hospital).
Where do you look for product inspiration?
Everywhere! Well, everywhere that inspires positivity, exploration, adventure, creativity, magic and fun.
What’s your design process like?
To be honest it’s probably not as slick as other exhibitors and stationery companies. My process involves a (creatively) messy work room with lots of images, phrases, ideas drawn on bits of paper and photos that inspire stuck all over the walls. I LOVE writing my ideas down and sketching in blank journals with lovely thick paper and I never go anywhere without a notebook or a sketchbook. I suppose I’m a bit old school when it comes to content creation, but I feel more connected when I write things down or drawing them by hand. I then transfer the ideas into a proper format with InDesign and my Graphic design wizard adds to the fabulousness while transforming it into something that can be printed.
At the beginning I used to wander round stationery shops and book shops feeling the covers and paper thickness of products, I know, it’s a little bit odd, but I wanted to create something that would last, would be able to withstand a muddy adventure or two, feel nice and have pages thick enough so children can write and colour on both sides of the page, the actual construction of My Happy Journal is really important.
What’s been your biggest highlight thus far?
May I pick five massive highlights?
- Winning a stand at the London Stationery show as part of Launchpad ??
- Being a finalist in the Gift of the year awards 2021
- When My Happy Journal was featured in the Mail online best Christmas gifts for children
- Being selected to have our products showcased in the exhibition’s 2022 trend selection
- Every time we get customer feedback
What’s next for your brand?
We are currently working on lots of exciting editions to the My Happy Journal range, keep an eye out for future updates our website www.MyHappyJournal.com
Where can people purchase your product(s)?
For wholesale and retail purchases please email us at Hello@MyHappyJournal.com or telephone Kirsty Bell: 07855 740 716
For all non-business purchases please visit our website www.MyHappyJournal.com
