From law to letterheads: How Jaime Lee made the leap from legal counsel to founder of The Paper Bunny

Jaime Lee took a leap of faith by pursuing her creative calling, and she hasn't looked back since.

As the co-founder and creative force behind local stationery and lifestyle company The Paper Bunny, she is constantly seeking inspiration. When she launched the business with husband Justin in 2013, she saw it as just a creative outlet, but her entrepreneurial journey has led her far. The Paper Bunny now has a presence in seven countries at last count, including the United States and South Africa.

"I started the business as a passion project to use graphic design to create pieces that people could use in their everyday lives," says Jaime. "I would never have dreamt back then that it would become a full-time career, but the business took on a life of its own."

Before that, she had been juggling a full-time career as a legal counsel with The Paper Bunny as her side business for two years before finally taking the plunge and devoting herself to the latter.

"That was the scariest decision of my life, and I had to really ask myself whether this was something that was worth pursuing, whether this was something that I was really called to do," she shares.

Taking the risk has clearly paid off , as the company has since collaborated and co-branded merchandise with brands like Starbucks, Coach and Singapore Airlines, milestones that Jaime is most proud of. "Knowing that people have been positively impacted through my eff orts and my work makes everything worth it," she says.

She reflects on one major lesson she has learnt from managing the business: "We are not meant to do everything - and we can never do everything. It is important to work with people who will complement your strengths and weaknesses, and run alongside you towards the same vision."

When asked about one all-encompassing motto that she applies to her career and life, Jaime reveals with a warm smile: "Big things happen with one small step at a time. I hold this close to my heart when I feel discouraged or when problems seem insurmountable."

This article was first published in Her World Online.