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For creatives, doers, dreamers, friends, lovers and more.
We ask five big questions and dive into the ‘why, how and when’.
No small talk, just real conversation – an insight into the layers and impact of connection in our lives and how we each experience it in the most beautifully unique and often, unexpected moments.
To kick off, we chat to the founder of Short Talk and take a look at the foundations of the brand and understand how it came to be.
It’s a punchy play on words - NO small talk.
I can't tell you the amount of times I put a card back because it doesn't quite say what I want it to, or it says way too much (eg. Hallmark vibes). I really struggled to find something in-between that was also high quality, with thoughtful design aesthetic and just felt special.
I set out to create a purpose-led gifting category (word gifting) that was connection-centric at heart with a ‘say more with less’ approach. Essentially, all about the words but less of them, words that matter. No small talk, just Short Talk.
Words (writing and reading them) and thoughtful business are my twin passions...
I’ve always loved giving and receiving beautiful cards. I have collected them since I was little and still keep the special ones in an old shoebox amongst other treasures. When I give a card, it’s intentional.
I think we were taught to “open the card first” for good reason – our words are gifts too and perhaps the most meaningful part of the exchange. This belief led me to the notion of ‘word gifting’ as a category I wanted to explore and expand upon – starting with greeting cards.
As an avid card lover and collector, I was finding it hard to source cards that not only captured what I wanted to say, but also looked and felt good. Every card in Woollies is $6.99, flimsy and very Hallmark. And, at the other end of the market is cards with stunning illustration and detail retailing upwards of $10. I wanted to tap into the middle - beautiful and premium yet still accessible. I saw the gap and so, Short Talk was born.
Short Talk was borne from my nostalgia for the written word. I used to write and read relentlessly as a child. But more than just writing, I would make cards, write poems and pen love letters to all my friends and family - I even joined a penpal club! I loved the idea of sharing stories and moments and capturing them in writing.
Today, I feel we have come so far away from the art of writing as connection and while it's not going to be for everyone, I think there are a lot of us who share this nostalgia and treasure the beauty in connection through writing and gifting by hand.
More than just nostalgia, Short Talk also connects me with likeminded people and creatives. I wanted every touchpoint to feel authentic and special. For example, I used my friends and family for the campaign shoot because I wanted that connection to be, and feel, real. This means the content serves as not only brand content, but special, personal memories too.
All of it! If I had to pick one, it would be to work with people and business who share Care Factor. I really believe I have magnetised an army of creative and business-savvy humans because they share the same level of passion, integrity and care that I do for this business and industry. Everyone I have worked with from Shelley Horan (photographer), to Sonnet Studios (Brand & Creative), Bien Studio (Web) to my local Melbourne printers and suppliers have been a literal dream to collaborate with. The connections I have made are a real testament to the heart of what this brand sets out to do – foster meaningful connection in moments that matter.
Distribution will be my focus while working to expand the brand offering starting with additional product categories that combine two things – words and gifting.
I also have lots of fun things in the pipeline such as events, collaborations and an extension of the ‘Talks’ arm of the business – stay tuned and subscribe : )
Sally Smith, Mornington Peninsula local, founder of children’s social enterprise Ocean Thinkers and mum-of-three, talks to us about what being a mother means to her.
Shelley Horan, a vibrant Melbourne photographer and visual artist, talks about navigating small business and how connection through community is integral for her.
In our effort to honour all the moments, not just the hype reel, we talk to Kate Thomson who mothers her two beautiful children while carrying the heavy loss of her own dear mum.
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