Creative Business Veterans Still Passionate after 20 Years

April 15, 2009 by Suzi Dafnis 

Twenty years after launching successful designer stationery name that bares the founders names, Corban & Blair owner Gillian Corban is still passionate about the stylish niche products that pioneered an industry.

And, as a big fan of the products, I can understand why. A few times a year I can be found at the David Jones stationery department stroking the divine covers of Corban & Blair journals.

Here’s a link to an interview with Gillian Corban about their long-standing business success. It appeared in the April issue of the Women in Business eNewsletter.

I’ve kept a journal for years… and even though I don’t use them the same way now as when I was a teenager, they are still a treasure that I keep, and one of those items (some people are like this with clothes) that I keep buying faster than I can use them, and which I keep for no reason other than that they are too pretty before use and then too personal to do away with.

It’s not a secret that I love them so each Christmas someone lovingly adds one to my collection. Or, I’ll buy them, like souvenirs, when I travel. (Ok, journals, and greeting cards, and hand-made soaps and lotions!)

Journals | At left - Corban and Blair

Pictured here:

  • Red and Black - picked up at a market in Phoenix Arizona, hand made and very tactile.
  • Grey with leaf print - from Corban and Blair
  • Blue with handpainted etching of a turtle - bought in Mexico from a stall at the Global Summit of Women

Here’s how I use my journal(s) now:

  • One for the notes from my coaching sessions
  • One to write down goals and dreams
  • One for taking notes during webinars/seminars (though my LiveScribe pen is sure to eclipse this one cause it’s so functional).

Congratulations to Gillian Corban and Amanda Blair for delivering a product that, I’m sure, allows many of us an outlet to create.

Read my interview with Gillian Corban here.

Comments

4 Responses to “Creative Business Veterans Still Passionate after 20 Years”

  1. Rebecca Leigh | Smart Fresh Writing on April 15th, 2009 11:35 am

    Oh my, I suspect there could be a flood of journal fetishists responding to this post!

    I love, love, love beautiful journals and have a whole shelf of gorgeous blank books waiting for words. As you say you always buy them faster than you can fill them.

    In addition to the delectable Corban & Blair, I also adore lantern paper (australian), peter pauper, live inspired and chronicle books.

  2. Frances Jones on April 16th, 2009 3:08 pm

    I’ve always been fond of journals.
    I really like Grey with Leaf Print.
    It was so nice to be connected to their website and in “about us” to put a face to the books I often see at DJs or Pepe’s Paperie… I had no idea they were Australian. I think all ABN members should be using them!
    http://twitter.com/FrancieJones

  3. Sheryl Cole on April 17th, 2009 11:14 pm

    I am also a major fan of journals and keep at least one near me 24/7… I’m a designer and get great creative visions before I go to sleep or I even wake in the middle of the night with an idea and have to scribble it down….

  4. Frances Jones on April 23rd, 2009 12:15 am

    Today I noticed the displays of Corban and Blair at DJs Bondi Jn and Pepe’s Paperie, after your blog- it does have good effects! A few sips from T2 in between…