Tapping into her love of fashion and paper, Bonnie Marcus created her own collection of successful—and stylish—stationery.

Bonnie Marcus always knew that she wanted to be in fashion. So when she scored a job with every fashion lover’s paradise—Bloomingdales in New York City—she thought her career in the fashion industry had officially begun. Instead, she wound up folding towels in the home goods department. “It definitely wasn’t the fashion experience I dreamt of!” laughs Marcus. After a stint with iconic fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg, Marcus planned soirees for A-list celebrities and politicians alike as the Director of Special Events at the 92nd St. Y in NYC. A true perfectionist, Marcus searched the streets of NYC looking for the perfect invites for these special occasions, but couldn’t find any that matched the event—or her impeccable taste level.

Fast forward a few years later, and Marcus launched her own stationery and wedding invitation line. She hired fashion illustrators to help implement her vision of sophisticated brides. “Since there was nothing else like it on the market, it was an instant hit,” says Marcus, whose work appeared almost instantly in Modern Bride magazine. And the fashion industry took notice, too—the Bonnie Marcus Collection was quickly picked up in Bendel’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Today The Bonnie Marcus Collection includes stylish notepads as well as cards, invitations and baby items. “I have always been one with my customer base,” says Marcus, who launched the baby division when she was pregnant with her third son, Asher. “I would see all these fabulous, fashion-forward pregnant women who were forced to use fuddy duddy baby shower designs.” Retailers eagerly asked for more products, and Marcus subsequently created beautiful sonogram frames, perfect for displaying Baby’s “first” photo.

Despite the aesthetic appeal and luxurious quality of the collection, the price point is surprisingly affordable. “Everything is under $10, making it perfect for a gift or any other occasion,” says Marcus, who recently signed a licensing agreement with American Greetings. Her collection will now be available for purchase in Target as well as luxe stores nationwide.

So how does the mom of three boys—Benjamin [8], Joshua [7] and Asher [3]—find time to do it all? Like all working moms, Marcus juggles her work schedule around her sons’ school and after-school activities. “You have to be really focused because there are so many things that call and you simply can’t do it all,” says Marcus. She admits that despite running her own business—and setting her own work hours—she still can’t volunteer for every bake sale and school trip that comes along. But she has found a balance that works for her and her family. “You have to pick what is most important to you,” says Marcus. “Only then can you truly succeed in all areas of your life.”