Hey hey paper lovers! I’m back from Chicago Planner Con and there is MUCH to catch up on so lets dive right in!
The number one question I got at CPC: Is LPA really closing?!
Yes. and no. Here’s the full scoop: Our retail store is closing early-mid 2026.
The lease is up in August and I just haven’t been able to maintain enough foot traffic to justify a retail space beyond what I’ve already committed to.
Additionally, my printer lease is also up next year. Printers are long term commitments, friends. And not one you can enter into lightly. The idea of committing for another six years… in this economy? Very scary, not to mention… where would I put it? I’m in the process of moving, but even my new space isn’t enough to hold a full LPA operation.
I’ve enjoyed every moment of this ride but the universe is pointing me towards the exit ramp.
Of the ride… not the theme park!
Even without a physical space or the ability to print, LPA is not going to disappear. Makers always gonna make, and I’m still going to be making things for me… so why wouldn’t I keep sharing them with you.
LPA will eventually transition to digital and printables only, unless I find a printing partner - but I can say, for sure, Bess will not be making physical planners beyond August of 2026.
What does the future of LPA look like?
That’s such a hard question to answer… Over the last few years, I have found SO MUCH JOY in teaching. Whether it’s Memory Keeping Mondays live on instagram, my monthly workshops on patreon, or I’m teaching an in person class, I get so excited seeing people learn how to do something new - especially when I know how therapeutic the act of making can be.
So at the very minimum, I plan to keep my patreon workshops going, expanding into new crafty areas and continuing to share my expertise online.
In my wildest dreams, I find some magical steady consulting/teaching gig where I teach folks how to tap into their creative side via in person workshops - maybe for work retreats, conferences, that sorta thing?
I’m not sure if that exists, but I think I’d be great at it. I’ve also got a ton of expertise in marketing and design, so any job that taps into those skillsets will be satisfying for me. I’ve loved working for myself, but the idea of PTO and weekends off sounds SO magical!
Don’t worry though….
I will continue to dance, continue to prove that the Macarena works with any song, and encourage you to dance too. Because life is still stressful and dancing still helps.
I will continue to plan, because it’s still the best neurospicy tool I have in my tool box.
I will continue to create. Because I don’t know how to turn that side of my brain off… and I’d never want to.
and I will continue to share. Because I know if makes me feel less alone, and I know if makes some of you feel less alone too.
How can I help you stay open?!
You can’t. But that’s OKAY.
This was the second most common question I got. I have THE MOST SUPPORTIVE friends and customers around. You guys show up for me time and time again, I don’t take that for granted for a second.
I am so proud of what I’ve built. I feel like I have accomplished so much more than I ever set out for and I’m not going anywhere! Bess, LPA, Lights Planner Action, is a part of this community indefinitely, you couldn’t get rid of me if you tried!
The most helpful thing at this point is to make sure your paper loving friends know that LPA is for real for real, not going to be printing inserts forever.
And If Blackout inserts are your thing: stock up. Once the printer lease is done… it’s done. And it’s not an average run-of-the-mill printing thing… It’s pretty exclusive to the model I have and really expensive to maintain.
Of course, I do plan to print until the very last day, so I’d love for you to continue to support and shop my shop until then. I plan to keep coming up with fun things for you to create with and who knows where the world takes us next year!
I’ve been grieving this for a while…
LPA is my baby, and this does feel a lot like giving up on a child.
But I think the analogy is a lot closer to letting a child go out on their own, after you’ve set them up for success.
There are seeds of opportunity planted in every single product I’ve ever made.
Journals that get people back in touch with their inner knowing. Memory keepers that help people remember the moments that make us human. Planners that keep people on top of the never ending task list that is life….
Even if I am no longer producing these things, the seeds are planted.
When you create tools, the things that are made with those tools fall under the umbrella of things you’ve created.
And when I start thinking about the ripple effect of that…
How could I possibly be sad?
Anyways…
I’d love for you to celebrate my final Gold Friday Sale, this coming Friday, 11/21 - the whole shop will be 20% - with special freebies with every order!
Until then, a photo from TEN YEARS ago! Baby Bess had no clue where that travelers notebook would take her!
Stay light, stay bright, friends!
B
