10 questions with Tara Tuck, owner of Pageframe Designs

Although Pageframe Designs may not be a household name, I think it's safe to say that everyone knows their products! You know those cool clear albums that keep popping up on online galleries everywhere? Well, Pageframe Designs created them and more! In fact, they were awarded an Innovations Award at the Summer CHA Show 2007 for the clear album concept. Some of you may not realize that Pageframe Designs has been around for a long time, and they have much more to offer than just clear albums. I interviewed the creator and owner of Pageframe Designs, Tara Tuck, to see where they came from and where they're going.

1. Who started the company? When?
   
   I founded the company way back in 2000 with the introduction of the original "Picture It" Pageframe in one size - 12" x 12". At the time there was no home decor in scrapbooking and we were the first with the idea to hang a scrapbook layout on the wall. It was a very strange concept to many when I exhibited at my first trade show and I was asked by a number of people, "Why would you want to put a layout on the wall?" which I find SO funny now because home décor has become such a large part of scrapbooking and papercrafting. The Picture It Pageframe will always be near and dear to me since it was my first product but when I first released the clear album the response was unforgettable.
   
   Kim Moreno came on board as Design Team Coordinator a couple years ago and has been a tremendous asset to the company. Kim and I work extremely well together and our partnership has helped Pageframe Designs grow and really make a name for itself within the industry.
   
   
2. Tell us about yourself: married, kids, job, and hobbies?
   
   My husband John is a lawyer and we have been married for sixteen years. We have two children, Brandon (14) and Stephanie (11). We also have two cute little dogs, Ginger and Rudi. We love to spend time together as a family and have lots of fun with our kids.
   
   
3. Do you work from home or do you have a warehouse?
   
   My office is in my home and we have a warehouse space as well. I am very fortunate to work mostly from home. This has been very important to me because I have been able to be home with my kids ever since they were babies.
   
   
4. What is the hardest part about being a successful company?
   
   The hardest part for me is delegating and managing the people that work for me. I'm not very good at delegating because I still feel like I need to do everything myself - it's just weird. I am getting better though as the workload gets heavier!
   
   
5. Do people approach you with product requests?
   
   I get a lot of requests for custom display frames from store owners and some requests for new products.
   
   
6. Most rewarding moment to date?
   
   The most rewarding moment was being presented with an Innovations Award at the CHA show in Chicago in 2007. It was my proudest moment in business to date and I will never forget that evening. I had worked SO hard and was just thrilled with the honor.
   
   
7. What is the most innovatively shocking use of your product you've seen or heard of?
   
   Oh my... there have been SO many!! Just recently our monthly guest designer, Cindy Liebel, made a beautiful necklace with one of our patterned flower shapes. I remember being very impressed when I first saw our Picture It Pageframe being used as a dry erase board - VERY innovative!!
   
8. Who designs the products?
   
   To date I have designed all the products with lots of input and influence from my Design Team, friends and family. As the company grows it has become much more of a collaborative effort between myself, Kim Moreno and Holly VanDyne.
   
   
9. You must be so proud to have made such an impact on the scrapbooking community with the use of acrylics. You are a trendsetter. Now it seems everyone is releasing clear stuff. What's different about your product?
   
   I am proud of the impact our clear concept has had on the scrapbooking industry. I remember telling one of my best friends that I've love to see clear become the "new chipboard". Be careful what you wish for!
   
   What I'd like people to know about Pageframe Designs is that we were the first and our quality is second to none. We stand by the promise that our products will not chip, crack or yellow over time. We will always be one step ahead of the companies that follow trends.
   
   We now offer clear and clear/patterned overlays and cards which are a huge hit! Our overlays are thick enough to make a clear album with but thin enough to cut with your paper trimmer. They are now available in nine beautiful patterns and colors.
   
   Our incredible design team has now started creating monthly project kits which will include all the products needed to create the finished product. Our first project kit was a huge hit and we have two more in the works for you.
   
   
10. Do you scrapbook?
    
    I love scrapbooking and because I do not have a lot of spare time I find myself making gift albums and cards more than scrapbooking layouts. All the photos are waiting for me when I retire... I look forward to being a scrapping granny!!

We look forward to Pageframe Designs' next release!