We're Elder Sons, two LA-based dudes (one a Wisconsin cheesehead , the other a Virginia ham ) who met cute  in Chicago and now wrangle spreadsheets  by day and design rad stuff  by night. Tired of the corporate grind , we craved a creative outlet . LA's sunshine , mountains , and eclectic vibes  fueled our inspiration. We wanted to create witty, stylish goods – digital cards with a sassy twist  and minimalist totes (and now lunch bags! ) for everyday adventures. Basically, we're making the stuff we want to use, hoping you'll dig it too. 

When did you start creating? Was there a specific moment or inspiration that led you to it?

The "aha!" moment hit us a few years back.  We were drowning in spreadsheets (aren't we all?) and realized our creative batteries were running on empty.  A particularly epic LA sunset sparked a conversation about wanting to make something – something fun, something stylish, something ours. We started doodling ideas for cards and totes, and before we knew it, Elder Sons was born!  It was less of a grand plan and more of a "let's see what happens if we unleash our inner artists" kind of thing.  Turns out, it's way more fun than forecasting quarterly earnings. 

What emotions, messages, or themes do you hope to convey through your work?

We aim for a blend of wit, warmth, and a touch of irreverence.  Our designs are meant to be lighthearted and relatable, sparking a chuckle or a knowing nod.  We celebrate everyday moments – from holidays to just needing a stylish lunch bag – with a touch of sassy sophistication.  Ultimately, we hope our work brings a little joy and personality to the mundane.  Life's too short for boring cards and bags! 

What materials, tools, or techniques do you use, and why did you choose them?

We're digital dudes through and through.  Our designs start as digital sketches, then we refine them using industry-standard design software.  For our totes and lunch bags, we partner with a top-notch production team who bring our digital visions to life with high-quality materials.  We chose this route because it allows us to be nimble and experiment with different designs quickly. Plus, let's be real, wrangling physical art supplies sounds exhausting.   We'd rather spend that energy coming up with witty card captions.

What was the biggest challenge you faced in your creative journey, and how did you overcome it?

Our biggest hurdle was definitely balancing our corporate gigs with our creative passion.  Juggling spreadsheets and design work meant late nights and weekends fueled by caffeine. ☕  It was tough!  We overcame it by prioritizing and setting realistic goals.  We carved out specific "Elder Sons" time each week, treated it like a real appointment, and held each other accountable.  Plus, having two of us made it easier to share the workload and keep each other motivated.  Basically, we learned to embrace the organized chaos. 

Do you remember your first sale? How did it feel?

Oh, the sweet taste of that first sale!   We remember it vividly. It was a digital holiday card, and we did a little happy dance when we saw the notification.  It was validation that our crazy idea was actually resonating with someone!  It felt like a tiny spark of possibility, like maybe, just maybe, we could turn this passion project into something bigger.  It was definitely a "pinch me, is this real?" moment.  We celebrated with tacos.  Because, tacos.

Has a customer ever shared a special story or reason for purchasing your work?

We were genuinely surprised by the love our minimalist tote bag has received! We thought it was just a chic, practical bag (which it is!), but then we started getting messages from customers about how much they adore it. One customer told us she uses it as her everyday bag, from work to farmer's market trips, and it's the perfect blend of style and functionality. It's so cool to see something we created become a part of people's daily lives. It's inspired us to explore more minimalist designs and expand our tote and bag collection even further. Who knew a simple tote could bring so much joy? We're so grateful for the positive response. 

Is there a particular piece or product that customers seem to love the most? What makes it special?

The black minimalist tote bag seems to be a fan favorite. It's simple, stylish, and perfect for everyday use, whether it's a trip to the farmer's market or a night out on the town. It's also surprisingly versatile – we've heard from customers who use it as a diaper bag, a beach bag, and even a carry-on for weekend getaways. We're thrilled that something we created has become such a beloved part of people's lives. It's a reminder that sometimes, the simplest designs can have the biggest impact. 

What are your future plans? What do you hope to achieve through your creative business?

We're dreaming big!  We're constantly brainstorming new designs for our digital cards and expanding our product line.  Think more witty greetings, more stylish totes (maybe even some travel bags?! ), and who knows what else?  We'd love to grow Elder Sons into a recognizable brand known for its playful yet sophisticated aesthetic.  Ultimately, we hope to build a community of people who appreciate our unique blend of humor and style. And, of course, we wouldn't mind if it eventually allows us to ditch those spreadsheets for good.   World domination through sassy stationery and chic bags?  That's the dream.  

Are you working on any exciting new projects or collections?

We've got a few things brewing! We're working on a new collection of tote bags with even bolder, more cheeky slogans. We're also exploring expanding our digital card offerings beyond holidays – maybe some everyday greetings with a signature Elder Sons twist. And, dare we say it, we've even been tossing around ideas for some other fun accessories.    Plus, we're super stoked to be cooking up something special with a talented MUA/content creator friend of ours! It's been so fun collaborating and sharing our tote bags with her awesome community. We can't wait to share what we've been working on! Stay tuned!  We'll be shouting it from the rooftops (or at least posting about it on Instagram) when we're ready to share. 

Why did you choose to join ZART? How has our platform helped your creative business?

We chose ZART because it seemed like the perfect platform to connect with a wider audience who appreciates unique, design-driven goods. The community aspect and focus on supporting independent creators really resonated with us.