Buffalo Boss Babe: Janna Willoughby-Lohr
Today’s Buffalo Boss Babe is Janna Willoughby-Lohr the owner of Papercraft Miracles! We chatted with Janna about Business and what it means to be a Boss Babe! Check out her answers below.
photo credit: City Lights Studio
What made you start or brought you where you are today ? Tell us your Story. What makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe?
I always wanted to be an artist but I didn't want to be a starving artist so I designed my college major around entrepreneurial business and creative art. I focused mainly on paper and book arts and I came up with the idea and name of my business when I was still in college. I made it a reality in 2013 and by 2016 I was able to take Papercraft Miracles full-time. Since then, I have expanded into a two-story, solar-powered workshop in the heart of Black Rock in Buffalo. This year I won an Ignite Buffalo small business grant and will soon be hiring my first employee! I have lived in Buffalo my whole life and after graduating from college, I returned here to build my life. I was a big fan of Buffalo long "before it was cool".
photo credit: City Lights Studio
What does being a Buffalo Boss Babe mean to you?
The main thing that being a Buffalo Boss Babe makes me think of is being an example for other women. I strive to work hard doing what I love and I try to share my experiences and my knowledge with anyone who might be struggling with following their dreams.
photo credit: City Lights Studio
Who are your favorite people to follow ?
Oprah, Buffalo ShopCraft, WNYBAC, 43North, my fellow Ignite Grant winners and fellow renaissance woman, Sarah Cozzemera.
What are your favorite things to do in the area ? Buffalo and greater WNY
Yoga at Yoga Parkside, hiking at Chestnut Ridge, lounging at Delaware Park and eating just about anywhere! My favorite restaurants are Imperial Pizza, Amy's Place, Angie's Pizza House, Hutch's, Merge, and Ashkers.
photo credit: City Lights Studio
Tell us about your favorite collaboration or dream collaborations ?
My favorite collaboration so far has been my Teacup Book project. I asked my Facebook friends to draw pictures of teacups in pen & ink, 1"x1" and the scan them and send them to me. I got drawings from all sorts of artists; little kids, professional artists, even people from all over the world! I took all those pics and wrote little mini-poems for each and then bound them all into little tiny books. Then Sarah Cozzemera made some gorgeous ceramic teacups that the books fit right inside. Each book has peacock feathers sewn into the spine so they look like steam rising out of the cup. I make the books in a dark chocolate color and a tan color so you can get "black coffee" or "cream & sugar". They are such fun gifts and I love telling people how they were made.
photo credit: City Lights Studio
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?
Ellen Degeneres or Oprah
What are your hopes, dreams, goals. Big or small?
I dream of becoming the Manolo Blahnik of paper. Someday Oprah & Ellen are going to buy custom invitations from me. For now though, my goal is to be able to fully support my family with my business to allow my amazing husband, Bryan, to follow his dreams too.
photo credit: Janna Willoughby-Lohr
Tell us about your family?
I have the best husband ever! His name is Bryan and we have two little boys, Vernon who is 3 and a half and Thurgood who is 10 months. We also have 2 cats, Meeko & Buffalograss.
FEEL GOOD FAVORITES:
Color: Teal
Super Power: Sleeping and working at the same time.
Animal : Koala
Season of the year: Springtime, for sure!
Favorite thing about Buffalo: Everyone you meet knows two people you know!
Until next time babes!
xoxo
Beth
