Paper power

Emily Ley's budding gifts and accessories business, built around stylish paper-based planners and calendars, nearly collapsed before it completed its first order.

That was back in 2011. Her company had taken close to 500 pre-orders of the debut Emily Ley Simplified Planner, a spiral bound, personalized datebook that retailed for more than $50 each. Customers, mostly women and lots of moms, eagerly awaited a late December delivery so they could put ink to their plans for the next year. But shipping was delayed until February due to a manufacturing error. Angry emails filled Ley's inbox.

“I was mortified,” says Ley. “I thought my life was over.”