Meet Stephanie Scolman | Owner of Rock’N Paper Co.

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

Hi Stephanie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It all started during my son’s first year. Faced with a tough choice, I left my job to be a stay-at-home mom. After a few months, my self-identity started to feel lost, and I needed a creative outlet to keep my head straight. I grabbed my iPad and reignited my passion for drawing, something I’d always wanted to do but never found the time. That’s when the flood of small business ideas started pouring in.

All those years of hustling and soaking up entrepreneur podcasts at work, were ingrained in me. So, the big question was: Did I really want to go back to a job where I’m still listening to “How to make money at home” Podcasts, or is this the time to put that knowledge into action?

It was like the universe telling me, ‘Now or never’. I’d spent most of my career in small businesses, where I wore more hats than I could count. Even though the corporate ladder has been good to me, I could never shake off that small business mindset. So, here I am, making things happen and loving every minute of this journey.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Professionally? Oh I can’t claim that title. It’s more like a work in progress. I am constantly learning new drawing techniques from the masters at YouTube University, joining badass artists communities on Discord, and investing in art classes taught by the creatives I deeply admire. I’m a forever student, learning from the best. I’m still evolving, which shows in my products.

I am obsessed with design and appreciate all forms of art and techniques. It’s very hard for my ADHD brain to stay on track with conforming to a certain style. It’s probably my biggest struggle. Although ADHD helps out when I get inspired. Once that Hyperactive comes into play, I’m on a roll with many ideas to execute. I try to draw as much as possible during those spurts, because on an off day, that dreaded “artist’s block” can haunt me for weeks.

I’ve started to see a unique style developing in my drawings that sets me apart from others and I’m really digging it. My inspiration for my products are ’80s and ’90s nostalgia, new wave, rock’n’roll, punk rock, Tim Burton, Horror Movies, and the people around me. When I create, I do it as if I’m crafting something for someone I know. My friends are rad, they’re my main inspiration.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, I’d keep it local here in Long Beach. (Traffic is only my friend if we are riding motorcycles. Then I’ll venture out.) But if we took the truck, I’d cruise down to Blackbird Cafe for breakfast. Go shopping down the street at Deadrockers and Eclipsed Emporium. We could continue the shopping spree on 4th Street Retro Row and have tacos for lunch at the Pike. Mmmm tacos, now I’m hungry. For nightlife, start at Roxanne’s, have a drink in the Speakeasy for some 1920’s music, and then hit up Alex’s Bar to see a band play. You can always catch someone good there, even on a weekday. Or, if you feel like dancing at the nightclub scene, The Exhibition Room, located in the basement of the Federal Underground, occasionally hosts post-punk and new-wave nights.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, Family and Friends. Their support and encouragement have been the fuel to keep my flame going. I owe a lot of gratitude to the small business communities I have joined and the friends I have made along the way. And, of course, shout out to all my customers who keep coming back! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you so much.

Website: https://rocknpaperco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocknpaperco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocknpaperco

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rocknpaperco

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rocknpaperco

Image Credits
Stephanie Scolman (myself)