When Posty Cards was on CNBC's "Squawk Box" - Interview

Awhile ago, CNBC invited Posty Cards on their popular early morning program, "Squawk Box", to talk a bit about the company and the great products and services we provide professionals in the financial services industry (and other industries, really). Here's some of the interview with Erick Jessee, President...

CNBC. Our "Made in America" company this morning is a company makes a business out of offering a personal touch. Erick Jessee is President of Posty Cards. And Erick why don't you tell us a little bit about Posty Cards. This is not a consumer business. This is a business to business business.

Erick. Absolutely. It's a business to business greeting card company. And we primarily sell into the financial markets. And we make all of our products in America, of course that's why we're here.

All of our paper is sourced from the U.S. as well, from the U.S. mills. And we are selling a product to business professionals that believe in building relationships with their clients. And the greeting card continues to be a very powerful way to do that.

CNBC. What's different about Posty Cards? Man than let's say a Hallmark greeting card?

Erick. Great question. We design specifically for the business market, so all of our designs are meant to send to clients in volume. And we're selling directly to the end customer. So, we're not selling at a distribution, we're not selling retail, we're selling directly to the customer.

CNBC. Is the message on a Posty Card different than what I'd get on a Hallmark greeting card, maybe a little more professional?

Erick. It's more professional. I mean, it's meant for the business client.

CNBC. Man, I immediately thought... sympathy cards... you know... geez! Sorry, you got caught in that Libor thing! Really... that's just awful J.P. Morgan! Woo boy that whale! I guess, uh... Are there sympathy cards? "Sorry you got busted."  [laughter]

Erick. We have sympathy cards.

CNBC. You do?

Erick. We do!

CNBC. You do? Man, I'm sorry you got caught with, you know, shorting the same things you were pushing your clients.

Erick. But you know, it's not biggest category.

CNBC.  I would think that would be... or congratulations for the CEOs for the overcompensation.

Erick. That could be. Yeah, yeah... We could do that. But you know, primarily holiday cards. Holiday cards and then, because we're selling into the financial industry, they know birthdays, we sell a lot of birthday cards as well.

CNBC. So, but the holiday cards... Christmas and Hanukkah cards those are your biggest sellers?

Erick. Christmas, Thanksgiving are primarily the biggest sellers. Birthday is a huge, huge category for us as well.

CNBC. Okay. How long has the company been around?

Erick. 1948. Is when we were founded, with the idea again that the greeting card is a great way to touch the customer and to build loyalty over time. And generate referrals.

CNBC. But these are physical... because a lot of them I get now are... they're not as good 'cause I get em here. But they move and they say things.

Erick. Yeah, they are snazzy. But you know what, they go away really quick, don't they.

CNBC. Yeah, I don't even think about it.

Erick. You know...

CNBC. Don't not send your wife one of those for an important...

Erick. She wants the real thing. She wants a real card.

CNBC. It's like giving her a gift card for somewhere.

Erick. Here's the thing, too. I mean, you know, there's a lot of buzz about social media, and electronic greetings and that kind of thing.  But the physical card is... [CNBC: I'm with you on that.] very powerful, right? It stays with you. Think about it... what's the first thing you open in your pile of mail?

CNBC. Do any open and sing or do stuff like that? Those are my favorite.

Erick. No. Simple. Simple greeting card.

CNBC. Did you suffer in the downturn in 2008 and has it come back since then? 

Erick. You know, you know... like most companies out there we didn't see as much growth, but we're still really bullish about the concept.