You know how NPR has "driveway moments?" Matthew Wengerd makes "mailbox moments." And, while stationery with a wow factor certainly makes an impact, he believes that stationery given as a true gift can last a lifetime.

Matthew spent a lot of time and effort pursuing a life in jazz before realizing that the act of creation was what he was really after, and that this act can happen on paper, at a keyboard, or on a press just as easily as it can on the bandstand. In fact, it was a fateful composition and arranging lesson that brought him face-to-face with a certain fountain pen and his future life as an art-minded stationer.

He's adamant about giving stationery a second function that keeps it out of the trashcan and might even move it to a place of honor. And he does his best work when he gets to answer the question "what happens if we...."

• Matthew's background and how he became drawn into the world of stationery and invitation design
• How some clients are naturally more trusting of professionals than others
• How to identify clients that will be a good fit for the creative work that you do
• Matthew's philosophy on pre-screening clients prior to going to contract
• Charging an initial consultation and/or concept fee prior to doing any proposal
• Creating work for your portfolio vs. creating work for a client