Our Story
We started Footnotes back in 2014 when we were both working at an advertising agency. Not quite fulfilled by our jobs and tired of the run of the mill greeting cards found in stores, we set out to create a brand that could help bring back the delight of sending and receiving a handwritten note. What started as a way to bring joy to the lives of our friends and family quickly turned into a brand that is now sold in over 600 stores all over the world.
Our world is witty, funny, and thoughtful and we bring it to life with minimal, aesthetically pleasing design. Our goal is to put a smile on your face and make every day worth celebrating.
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Mehreen
Co-founder and the heart of the company, Mehreen, was born and raised in Pakistan but moved to San Francisco 10 years ago to pursue a career in Advertising. She got her master’s degree in Advertising from the Academy of Art University. Working as an Interactive Art Director for several years, Mehreen felt that something was lacking in her day. She missed the feeling of heavyweight card stock in her hands and the thrill of seeing her work on paper. She took her childhood love of stationery and handmade cards, and developed a line of products that quickly gained popularity. As Creative Director, Mehreen designs Footnotes’ collection and also oversees product development, marketing, and business strategy.
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About Zain:
Co-founder and the brains of the company, Zain, is originally from Houston, Texas. Even as a young child, Zain always had an entrepreneurial spirit; his first business venture at age 6 was an elaborate operation selling Yikes pencils to his classmates. He has a well-established career in Information Technology and moonlights as a copywriter. In 2015, he joined Mehreen’s up and coming greeting card company and became the second half of this creative team, coming up with hilarious designs alongside Mehreen. Their skills perfectly compliment each other as Zain handles the business side of things, including finances, manufacturing, and overseeing operations.
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In 2020, Mehreen & Zain relocated Footnotes' headquarters to Brooklyn, NY and opened up the company's first brick and mortar store.