10 Questions with Layle Koncar from Scenic Route

The designs are classics and the products are so versatile. Their papers and embellishments are enduring using both beautiful and fun patterns and prints and yet right on that trendy edge with their stamps and chipboard that keep you wanting more and more. This could be none other than Scenic Route!

I asked Layle Koncar if she would be so kind as to answer ten questions about Scenic Route. Here's a glimpse into Layle and Scenic Route:

1. Can you tell me a bit about how Scenic Route came to be? And how you came up with the name?
   
   Sarah Milne - owner and Art Director - originally started designing paper for Rusty Pickle. About five years ago she decided to venture out on her own and start the company. Back then there were only three employees. They all sat down and brainstormed a list of names that they liked and then used the Internet to come up with some others. They really liked the name "Pieces of Eight," but it was taken. They liked the slogan 'Always take the scenic route' so Scenic Route it was!
   
   
2. I'm always very intrigued about everyone's careers. Could you tell me about your job and maybe what a typical work day is like for you? Where do you work, from home or in an office?
   
   My official title is Director of Marketing, but we're a small company so I wear a lot of different hats! I spend most of my time working on our website, event planning, teaching and hmmm, what else? When I put it on paper it doesn't sound like a lot! Where does all of the time go?! I work from the office four days a week and try to work from home one day a week
   
   
3. I love the name Scenic Route and that the papers and such are all city and street names. Are the street names from particular places and do those places inspire the style and designs for the paper lines?
   
   All of our paper lines are named after different cities and the individual papers within each line are named after streets in the cities.
   
   
4. What is your favorite Scenic Route Line? And single product?
   
   Laurel is one of my all-time favorite Scenic Route lines. I love the colors and I'm a big fan of birds! I'm a big stamper, so I like our clear stamps. Oh, and our covered chipboard albums - they make creating mini books so quick and easy!
   
   
5. I love your new acrylic stamps! What made Scenic Route decide to add stamps to the lineup?
   
   The majority of our products are pretty simple with clean lines. I really felt like Sarah's style would lend itself to stamps really well. I'm a big stamper, so I asked her to make them. And she did!
   
   
6. Do you scrapbook? If so...could you share a bit about how long you have and who your scrapbooks are about?
   
   Heck yes! I've been scrapping for almost 11 years; I started with the birth of my first son. My scrapbooks are about life - me, my kids, my husband, my family, you name it.
   
   
7. Given that scrapbooking has really been around in the way we know it for the past 11 or so years, what kind of career did you have prior to Scenic Route?
   
   A very different one! I ran a start-up software company. Back then I worked for Scenic Route on the side as the head of the design team. They continually offered me a job over a few years and one day I decided to say yes. That was over two years ago and I've never looked back.
   
   
8. To me Scenic Route products are classic! They are the type of scrapbook products that are timeless and never go out of style. Would you say this is how you viewed the products and was that the goal you were reaching for?
   
   Absolutely! Sarah's philosophy has always been to create products that anyone can use.
   
   
9. As we all know there are so many scrapbook companies out there. What do you think makes Scenic Route stand out? What do you feel is unique about Scenic Route?
   
   We really focus on making products that anyone can use and that are timeless.
   
   
10. Lastly I have to ask...do you have any sneak peeks or tidbits you can offer to us Scenic Route fans for the upcoming Summer 08 CHA Show?
    
    I do! I just posted some images on my blog of one of our new lines for the show called Surprise! I'm doing a giveaway over there... make sure to check it out!
    

I'd like to extend a big thanks to Layle and Scenic Route...a company that is definitely going places!!