Cheers to 20 years! It’s hard to believe that For Your Party has been making celebrations extra special for two whole decades. We started with a simple idea – to provide customizable and unique party accessories that can make any event memorable. Today, we stand as a beacon of creativity, quality, and customer satisfaction. As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on our journey, the memories we've made, and the exciting future ahead.
Our Beginnings: The Birth of For Your Party
Our journey began in 2004 when our owner and founder, Sari, inspired by her own wedding planning experiences, saw a gap in the market for personalized party accessories. The idea was simple yet revolutionary – to offer high-quality, customizable products that people could order online. This was a time when e-commerce was just starting to take off, and we seized the opportunity to bring something new and exciting to the market.
Milestones and Memories
In the early days, our operations were modest. We started with just one person handling typesetting, printing, and processing orders. It wasn't long before we realized we were onto something big. By Christmas 2005, just a few months after our launch, orders began pouring in. This surge in demand made it clear to Sari that our growth and success had begun.
As we continued to grow, we moved from our founder's kitchen counter to a full-fledged office, expanding our team and our product range. We introduced new products, embraced new trends, and continuously innovated to stay ahead of the curve. Our commitment to quality and creativity has always been at the heart of everything we do.
Our Company Timeline
Take a walk down memory lane with us as we look back at the timeline of FYP!
2004: The Launch of FYP!
2005: Orders started flooding in, marking the beginning of our growth and success.
2006: We moved to our first office, expanding our team and production capabilities.
2008: We revamped our site and began TV and network appearances.
2010: Expanded our product range and embraced new trends.
2013: Relocated to larger offices and a factory in Skokie, IL. We also launched custom cups!
2015: Grew to a team of 30 employees, further expanding our product range and improving customer service.
2016: We launched full color products including our best selling custom photo napkins.
2024: Celebrating 20 years of making celebrations extra special.
Cheers to 20 Years: An Interview with Our Founder and CEO
To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we sat down with our founder and CEO, Sari to reflect on the journey and share some behind-the-scenes stories.
Q: As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, what has been your most memorable moment at For Your Party, and how has the journey been so far?
A: During Christmas of 2005, my husband and I embarked on a nearly month-long trip to Australia and New Zealand. FYP was still in its infancy, and we thought it was a good time to take a break while things were slow. I had one person handling typesetting, printing, and processing orders. About a week into our trip, I visited an Internet café and discovered that the business had exploded with orders. It was at that moment I realized we were onto something big. Since January of that year, we have never looked back! What an incredible journey it has been!
Q: What inspired you to start For Your Party, and how do you continue to find new and creative ideas to personalize party details?
A: After getting married and needing to hire a party planner for paper goods and party accessories, I believed there had to be a better solution. Noticing the transformative impact of the internet on business and the rise of online shopping, I saw an opportunity. With my husband being a manufacturer, we decided to launch an online retail arm of his wholesale and manufacturing business. And just like that, FYP was born! I constantly seek the extraordinary in the ordinary and find ways to repurpose the usual into something unique.
Q: Can you share a heartwarming story or experience from a customer who used our personalized products to make their milestone extra special?
A: From the get-go, I chose to hire a publicist rather than following the traditional advertising path. This decision led me to forge friendships and business relationships with many influential figures in the wedding industry, whom I am still friends with to this day!
Q: Any fun or quirky behind-the-scenes moments you’d like to share?
A: A particularly funny memory I loved was when a Chicago newspaper asked if we were participating in Bring Your Daughter to Work Day. Since none of us had kids, we decided to have a Bring Your Dog to Work Day instead! We quickly rounded up three dogs, had an absolute blast, and even made it into the Sunday papers.
Q: Looking ahead, what exciting trends or innovations do you see shaping the future of personalized party details?
A: There have been so many trends and ideas over the years. I predict we will swing back to tradition in the years to come – classic and timeless. But for now, we are loving pets on everything, full-color products, foil embellishments, and color galore!
Q: What’s your favorite personalized product that For Your Party offers, and why is it special to you?
A: I love the Linen Like Napkin line. These napkins are elegant, absorbent, and have a rich feel. They're special to us because we traveled to Germany, where they are manufactured, to establish a personal connection with the factory. However, the most impactful product was our personalized face masks during COVID. This pivot was crucial in helping us navigate the challenging times, allowing us to end 2019 with minimal losses and no employee layoffs.
Cheers!
Today we cheers to 20 years of creativity, innovation, and unforgettable celebrations! At For Your Party, we are incredibly grateful to our customers, employees, and partners who have supported us on this journey. As we look to the future, we are excited to continue bringing joy and personalization to your special moments. Thank you for being a part of our story, and here’s to many more years of celebration!
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