We had the good fortune of connecting with Jane Gahng and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jane, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my business in 2007/2008 creating stationery, greeting cards, and handmade paper goods and selling them at farmers markets and holiday events around LA. I slowly transitioned into custom wedding stationery when a friend was getting married and asked me to help her with the creative stuff for the wedding, like her invitations. I gladly helped her and learned how to use design programs to get it produced. After I did that, slowly people started to ask me to help them with their own invitations. It took a little face to face networking and wedding industry events but I eventually started to get work from wedding planners and industry people.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My creative life is spans a wide range of options for my clients. Some people are known for one thing or style. I don’t fit that mold and don’t feel like I need to. I’ve carried my business starting in stationery to custom wedding invitations to event branding & personalization to lettering & calligraphy to licensing artwork to creating murals. I’m proud of my progression because I know I can tackle most things that come my way, if given the opportunity. During my entire career, I’ve had to take one long hiatus. My personal life was a mess and it was affecting my professional life. I stepped away from that and had to reassess what was important to me. It was during this time that I got into self development and healing. Even though it was a dark time for me during those 2 years, if it wasn’t for that time, I don’t know that I’d be here doing what I’m doing now. I don’t think I would’ve been able to progress to what I’ve been able to accomplish now if it wasn’t for that time also. This career path is never easy. I’ve chosen to explore a lot of ways to express myself through art rather than sticking to a niche. I feel that this helps me get better at all the other ways I can be creative for my clients.
I feel that I’ve been able to create a world for myself that I need to thrive as an artist as well as giving to my clients in ways that may be unexpected.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First up, Museum of Jurassic Technology in Venice. Then swing over to Abbot Kinney to grab brunch at Gjelina. Take a walk on the beach eating Salt and Straw Ice cream. Then go to dinner in Koreatown at Ahgassi Gopchang for KBBQ and drinks! Another option would be to hit up Thai Town for some authentic Thai food and then visit the Broad museum in DTLA. Grab a bird and coast to Little Tokyo and get some sweets at the iconic Frances Bakery or Fugetsu-Do for mochi! Then to end the night, I would take them to the arts district and have dinner at Major Domo or Bestia.
Last option would be to go to brunch in Atwater Village at Alcove Cafe or Bon Vivant then go hiking at Griffith Observatory and see the views of LA. In the evening, I would do a Korean style dinner and then Karaoke and drinks til last call!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A whole lot of credit goes to my life partner, Aaron Kohn. I would not be the person I am today without his support and love everyday. Also, Nancy Park from So Happi Together. She’s always been my rock through thick and thin in life and business.

Website: red-letterday.com

Instagram: jane.gahng

Other: TikTok: @redletterday_jane

Image Credits
Last photo ( I’m holding a watercolor palette) photography by Dez & Tam Photography

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