Conversations with Innovators — Q&A with Harper Connell of Peppermoon
This week we are talking with Harper Connell, Founder of Peppermoon. Harper Connell is a born and raised Austinite. You can often find her managing daily events with her husband Dave over at The Greenhouse at Driftwood, a Hill Country event venue, chasing their two daughters, or most currently, launching a new mobile App, Peppermoon.
1. Harper, what is Peppermoon?
Peppermoon is a mobile app that takes paper into a digital world. It is a collection of handmade templates you can use to create invitations, announcements, save-the-dates, or simple thank you notes. You can also use it as a new way to share photos or simple thoughts.
2. What was the inspiration to launch a new app?
We thought of the idea after we had our first baby girl and began making sweet little love notes for our families with her picture on them. It was really fun and nostalgic to play with paper, the different textures and colors, and glue and tape. It occurred to me that medium didn’t really exist yet in the mobile world. I thought it could offer time-starved moms like me a different option for baby announcements, invites, really any type of correspondence.
3. In a world where new apps are released daily, what makes Peppermoon different?
The option to make save-the-dates or birth announcements online is certainly not new. But, the option to use handmade, paper templates that have a three-dimensional feel is a different way to think about the process. Peppermoon is also incredibly simple. You just pick your template, upload your photo and text, and share it. There are no coins, no RSVP lists, there is no stuffing and stamping. It really is just a unique way to share moments, big or small, in less than a minute or two.
4. How’s the feedback so far on the app launch? Anything exciting on the horizon for Peppermoon?
The feedback has been really great. Every time I see someone post a new moon on Instagram or Facebook, it’s incredibly validating. This process was long and hard and sometimes I thought we wouldn’t make it, so to see that it’s actually a product people use and like is a dream come true.
We do have quite a few things on the horizon. We have a big update coming later this year that will change the photo functionality. I’m very excited about that one! Also look for new moons (templates) around different holidays and special occasions.
5. What piece of advice would you give to a first-time entrepreneur starting out?
Well, I really have no idea what I’m talking about, first and foremost! When I became a mother, it was a huge transition. My priorities changed quite a bit and I ended up leaving a career that I loved so that I could be more available to my family. After a while, I realized I still needed something else to satisfy my career-driven side. I think it’s easy for busy mothers to say we don’t have time or our dreams don’t matter. They do, they are important. So, I would say, if there is something you can’t stop thinking about, it’s worth at least exploring. I know things take time and money and there’s always a reason to not do something, but even with the ups and downs of this process, I don’t regret it for a second.
Secondly, if you can’t figure out how to do something, surround yourself with a team of people who can help. I was blown away by the team that helped bring Peppermoon to life. They loved the project as much as I did, and without their support, we would still be at square one.
6. What’s your “one thing” that most drives your professional success?
Obviously you have to pay bills, so there’s that. But more so, I want to be an example to my daughters. My mother worked hard throughout her life. I was always impressed at how smart, driven, and capable she was. I want to instill a confidence in them that they can purse different passions and keep learning no matter how old they are. I never want them to feel stuck in path. If there’s something you aren’t happy with, you have the ability to problem solve and change it. I hope they always know that, and they always know we will support them no matter what.
You can find more information about Peppermoon on YouTube and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.
For Conversations with other thought leaders and innovators, see innovator Emily Huskinson of RingWraps and innovator Kaiwei Tang of Light Phone .
For more information about related legal issues, read our Professional Services industry page.
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